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tranny swap????


emitt1

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2019
Messages
6
City
pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Automatic
swapping out my 2.9 for a 4.o my 89 ranger is a 2wd can I use a tranny out of a 4wd.. there are way more of those than the 2wd?
 
No. The output shaft on the 4x4 transmission is different. It can technically be swapped but requires completely tearing apart both transmissions. And if you're capable of that then there's no reason not to just rebuild the transmission you have now.
 
What's wrong with your current transmission?
 
I don't know, if my 2wd trans was pooched and I had a 4x4 trans and transfer case I'd utilize it. Probably have to change the driveshaft around a bit. That would come in handy for moving trailers and boats in the yard. There may be something that I haven't thought of that would make it a bad idea tho.

Edit; like fastpakr hints, the 2.9 and the 4.0 trans have the same bolt pattern and can be used with either, tho there is some differences with starter and engine plates IIRC.
 
As said, no on the 4WD trans, but you don't need a new trans unless there is a problem with it

1989 2.9l 2WD Ranger should have an M5OD-R1 manual transmission, EXACTLY the same transmission used in all 4.0l Rangers 1990-2000

Info here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.shtml

And 2.9l and 4.0l used the same engine Block, so same bolt pattern for transmission

So you should be good to go, used the 4.0l clutch

If you drop the transmission change the 3 rubber plugs, top rear of trans
M5OD-R1 uses ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual :)
2.8quarts bone dry, so about 2quarts on refill
 
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Ok, I need to know why a 4x4 trans cannot be used. The 2wd B2 used a 4x4 trans with a dummy transfer case, so why can't a real transfer case be used?
 
You could certainly use a 4x4 transmission plus transfer case and appropriate drive shafts, it's just a lot more work.
 
Thanks for the confirmation. I don't know about a "lot" more work, the trans is heavier but the same amount of bolts to put back in, and need to source a different driveshaft maybe.
 
I was thinking more of just accumulating the right parts than the labor involved.
 
Ok, I need to know why a 4x4 trans cannot be used. The 2wd B2 used a 4x4 trans with a dummy transfer case, so why can't a real transfer case be used?

1988-1990 B2 should have FM-146 with dummy transfer case, an OK transmission but M5OD-R1 he already has would be better choice
But certainly doable, with different(shorter) drive shaft

No reason you can't swap in a working BW1350 or 1354 transfer case to replace the dummy, but without a front drive axle............??

A 4WD trans can be made to work in a 2WD, "made to work" being the key phrase as there is much more "work" swapping tailshafts or adding unneeded transfer case to get to a point where its usable in a 2WD
 
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