Transmission Rebuild or Replace?

[JoeDaddy21]

Hello all,

Well, after a long process of trying to rule everything out that was not the transmission itself, I've finally accepted the fact that it either needs to be rebuilt or replaced. '85 Ranger 2.8 2WD 5 speed. Does anyone have any information or experience rebuilding them that would be able to give me some advice? Is this something that I could tackle myself because I've called to 8 different shops in my area and no one seems to be in the market of rebuilding them anymore. Also called the local salvage yard (Staunton, VA) who can search with other yards in the area to try and find a used one and came up with no luck. I love my Ranger and would hate to get rid of it but come August I need to have something to drive everyday.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Shran @NakedDucks

Any advice you guys can give this gentleman?

Manual transmissions aren't really that hard... but they sometimes require a press... pullers and such. There may be a couple specialized tools also.

 

[Shran]

Which 5 speed do you have in the truck? Is it a Toyo Kogyo or Mitsubishi? See this link if you're not sure: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-manual-transmissions/

A press is not necessary but it helps, I use it mainly for input bearings, the rest I can get on with a hammer and an assortment of round tubes/sockets etc. Actually IMO it's harder to find ways to remove them without damaging other things than it is to install new ones. I have about 10 chisels that I remove bearings with, some blunt and some sharp, you can get creative and use two or three at a time to remove bearings and races.

Personally I do not think a Mitsubishi transmission is a good one to start with if you've never had one apart. I don't think they are hard to rebuild but there is an order of disassembly and reassembly that can really get you in a pickle if not followed to a T... and the service manuals I have are AWFUL... and contain some irritating, inaccurate information.

I imagine your local rebuilders simply have a hard time finding parts for these (I sure do, every time I do one it's a struggle!) and they may not want to waste hours tracking down parts that they could just order for other transmissions.

So all that said here's my advise in order of preference from best down:

1: Keep hounding rebuilders, maybe you'll get lucky, "most" transmission shops only do automatics. Inland Truck Parts here does both and so do a couple other small shops
2: See if you can find a good trans or rebuilt one on www.car-part.com and have it shipped to you
3: Do a Mazda M5OD swap with a newer trans - this is really an excellent option but requires various other modifications to make it fit and work correctly
4: Rebuild it yourself but ONLY if you are a pretty creative mechanic and have been inside machinery often, and have days or weeks to track down and wait for parts.

 

[RonD]

2.8l, 2.9l and 4.0l engines all used the same block, so transmissions are interchangeable

The M5OD-R1 was a very good transmission, used from 1988 to 2011 in Rangers
You could use an 1988-1992 model from a 2.9l 2wd Ranger, would be best gear ratio match up
Or a 1990-1997 4.0l 2wd Ranger, lower ratio 1 to 3 gears but works fine(no speedometer cable hook up after 1997)

Can NOT use 2.3l or 3.0l M5OD-R1s

You will need the driveshaft for it, matching your length, i.e. regular cab or long bed
Not sure there was an extend cab in 1985???

For replacement for yours or an M5OD-R1 try car-part.com

 

[NakedDucks]

Being that you have the 2.8, and it’s an 85, you have the TK (Toygo-Koygo). And while this trans isn’t as easy as an M5OD to rebuild, it’s not impossible either.

But the parts are hard to find, it does requires special tools (also hard to find.... especially from someone who will loan them), and hasn’t been used since 1987 (34 years ago).

The M5OD swap is really your best and safest option. They are plentiful, easy to build, requires no special tools really, and parts are easy to find.

The swap does in fact require a few modifications, but they are simple.

-No need to move the trans crossmember. Being that the frame of the ranger didn’t change from 83 till 97, the crossmember has always been in the same location... no matter the engine trans combo.

-Your shifter hole will need to be moved. This is pretty easy as ford put a nice panel under the carpet there. Get the floor plate from your donor truck, and simply bolt it back in place.

-The driveshaft will need to be modified a few inches. This is to compensate for the difference in transmission lengths between the TK and the M5OD. While this can be done at home, I HIGHLY recommend an reputable shop to do this for you.

-No need to change PCM’s. Neither of these trans require input for the PCM to make the engine run correctly.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

 

[Shran]

The floor plate for an M5OD would have to be custom made for an '85, they are smaller than newer trucks. I forget when that changed, '87 or '88 I think.

Will also need the clutch hydraulic hose and slave cylinder from your "donor", whatever year you choose. Basically '88 up... I like the '94+ style bleeder on the slave, get a hose to match that year, you can reuse your master cylinder.

 

[gearfather]

Hello all,

Well, after a long process of trying to rule everything out that was not the transmission itself, I've finally accepted the fact that it either needs to be rebuilt or replaced. '85 Ranger 2.8 2WD 5 speed. Does anyone have any information or experience rebuilding them that would be able to give me some advice? Is this something that I could tackle myself because I've called to 8 different shops in my area and no one seems to be in the market of rebuilding them anymore. Also called the local salvage yard (Staunton, VA) who can search with other yards in the area to try and find a used one and came up with no luck. I love my Ranger and would hate to get rid of it but come August I need to have something to drive everyday.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

The TK5 transmission is not that bad to rebuild. getting the countershaft bearings off can be a hassle sometimes, it was built by mazda, same as m5r1. i have many parts for them....612-309-3999

 

[NakedDucks]

GearFather....

Did you ever find the ZF trans parts I asked you about over 18 months ago. I haven’t heard anything from you about them.

 

[gearfather]

GearFather....

Did you ever find the ZF trans parts I asked you about over 18 months ago. I haven’t heard anything from you about them.

it was 8 months and 7 days, but you never answered any of the questions that i had asked you...

 

[NakedDucks]

My apologies, I thought I did.

What were your questions again? I still need the parts.