Trans identifier

[MattyT406]

Hello and thanks for the help,

New to me ranger
1989 xlt
2.9
5 speed 4x4


Can anyone identify this trans? All the parts diagrams that I've looked at for the m5odr1 show three bolts where my truck has 4 (one is missing). And the stick doesn't have the mount on it where you can remove the stick from the shifter base. The factory sticker has trans code "D"

Thanks

 

[Brain75]

trans code D in a 4x4 of that year would be a mitsu FM146 if original... tech library has a breakout of all the possibilities:

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions - The Ranger Station

Model Trans Code P/N Vehicle Speed Ratios Mitsubishi FM132 D 1988-1992 2.9L 2WD 5-Speed Unknown Mitsubishi FM145 D E67A-7003-FA 1985-1987 Ranger 4X4 5-Speed 1st: 3.769 2nd: 2.210 3rd: 1.516 4th: 1.00 5th: 0.812 Reverse: 3.400 Mitsubishi FM146 D 1988-1992 2.9L Ranger 4X4 … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[MattyT406]

trans code D in a 4x4 of that year would be a mitsu FM146 if original... tech library has a breakout of all the possibilities:

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions - The Ranger Station

Model Trans Code P/N Vehicle Speed Ratios Mitsubishi FM132 D 1988-1992 2.9L 2WD 5-Speed Unknown Mitsubishi FM145 D E67A-7003-FA 1985-1987 Ranger 4X4 5-Speed 1st: 3.769 2nd: 2.210 3rd: 1.516 4th: 1.00 5th: 0.812 Reverse: 3.400 Mitsubishi FM146 D 1988-1992 2.9L Ranger 4X4 … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

Ok perfect now I have a direction to run. Thank you!

 

[SenorNoob]

Post a picture from underneath and we'll be able to tell more. If it is the FM146 and you wanna replace it rather than repair, the M5OD from a 2.9 or 4.0 (Slightly different gear ratios for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.) bolts right in.

 

[MattyT406]

Post a picture from underneath and we'll be able to tell more. If it is the FM146 and you wanna replace it rather than repair, the M5OD from a 2.9 or 4.0 (Slightly different gear ratios for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.) bolts right in.

I did some reading yesterday, and I agree, M5OD swap. Talked to a local junkyard owner and he has a handful of manual rangers in the yard so hopefully I can score one cheap.

I guess my next question is whether to run a 10" clutch. I don't do much crawling off road and I don't really want to sink a bunch of money in this thing just yet. So im leaning towards just replacing the unit that's in there.

 

[Shran]

FM-146 for sure. Could be the shifter itself that's trashed, and they are kinda hard to find. Core Shifters makes a replacement but they are expensive. Could also be something worn out or broken inside the trans. Personally I don't think an M5OD is better in many ways other than being easier to find in junkyards. I have rebuilt several of both and I feel that the Mitsubishi ones shift much nicer. The shifters are the main problem though, M5OD was a big improvement there.

I'd probably just run the 9" clutch but the 10" is a nice upgrade that gives you more holding power... towing, heavy loads etc.

 

[MattyT406]

FM-146 for sure. Could be the shifter itself that's trashed, and they are kinda hard to find. Core Shifters makes a replacement but they are expensive. Could also be something worn out or broken inside the trans. Personally I don't think an M5OD is better in many ways other than being easier to find in junkyards. I have rebuilt several of both and I feel that the Mitsubishi ones shift much nicer. The shifters are the main problem though, M5OD was a big improvement there.

I'd probably just run the 9" clutch but the 10" is a nice upgrade that gives you more holding power... towing, heavy loads etc.

I had the shifter out. It's definitely junk. Previous owner was obviously tinkering with it. The forward right bolt is sheared off in the housing, which is nice. I do think that it has a broken/bent fork in there though, everything besides first operates as advertised.

Thanks for the input on the fm146/m5od situation. I'm still thinking it over. Just got the pickup home yesterday and it's f#$<in cold outside so nothing is happening quickly.

 

[Shran]

If you can find another shifter for cheap, might be worth some time to just try & fix it. They are not real hard to rebuild, you just need a couple big metric wrenches and basic hand tools. Watch Wes Work on YouTube had a couple excellent videos on rebuilding an FM-145, it's more or less the same thing. Most parts are readily available for them too.

M5OD's are fine, my beef with them is that a lot of junkyard units had the shift rail plugs go bad and they ran low on oil. You just have to be extra careful about what you buy. If you can pull the top cover and look inside, that will be very much to your benefit... take a pass on any that have a lot of black sludge inside or have more than just a little slop in the input shaft.

 

[Blmpkn]

If you do end up with an m5.. just go ahead and replace the shift rail plugs before you get it installed.

Best way to go seems to be with some freeze plugs.. dorman # 555-108. The stock ones are so notorious for leaking you can buy 3 packs of the freeze plugs off Amazon/eBay for under 20$.

Shift Rail Plug Maintenance - The Ranger Station

There are (2) ways to approach this job: 1) Grab the plugs with needle nose pliers, but this only works if you have small hands. 2) Remove the driveshaft(s) and transmission crossmember, lower the transmission slowly with a jack, and … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Brain75]

I'll also throw out that since the FM146 has a detachable bell housing you might keep that rather than send it to guandong - list it here, I bet there would be people happy to take it off your hands.

 

[MattyT406]

If you can find another shifter for cheap, might be worth some time to just try & fix it. They are not real hard to rebuild, you just need a couple big metric wrenches and basic hand tools. Watch Wes Work on YouTube had a couple excellent videos on rebuilding an FM-145, it's more or less the same thing. Most parts are readily available for them too.

M5OD's are fine, my beef with them is that a lot of junkyard units had the shift rail plugs go bad and they ran low on oil. You just have to be extra careful about what you buy. If you can pull the top cover and look inside, that will be very much to your benefit... take a pass on any that have a lot of black sludge inside or have more than just a little slop in the input shaft.

I watched that Wes works vid. When you say the m145/m146 are basically the same, how basically? I guess my real question is do I have to disassemble the whole unit to change the shift forks? Or can I get at it without opening the case? Probably moot questions until I get the trans out. Ugh.....

This is such a bummer I just want to clean this thing up and drive it for a bit before I have to rip it apart.

 

[Shran]

Major differences are the shifter and front bearing retainer. Otherwise, very few differences. You might be able to pull the pan and see if there is anything obvious, I can’t remember what you can see from there.

Wes makes it sound a lot harder to rebuild than it is. They are really not hard to work on. I have service manuals and parts lists for them if you decide to go that route.

 

[Brain75]

My take on rebuild - manual trans are rebuildable... autos on the other hand are wizard boxes left to the dark forces and shady characters who sneak about the land....

 

[MattyT406]

ATF in a manual trans???

Everything looks good except the knife on the shift fork.

What. A. Bummer.

 

[Brain75]

I don't know about the FM's, but the M5OD's take ATF as spec'd by Ford original. Most guys run synthetic ATF since these boxes have a few hiccups that helps.