Transmission swap?

[rkbowles]

I have a 91 ranger 4X4 with the Mitsubishi FM146 5 speed transmission. It has been replaced once, and rebuilt once. Six months after rebuilding it the 3rd gear went out. I am having a hard time finding this transmission. Is their another type that will fit?

 

[engdept]

I assume you have a 2.9? If so, a M50D-R1 out of a 4.0 Ranger will work.

 

[rkbowles]

Yes, I have the 2.9. Is the M50d-R1 a 5 speed, and will it bolt right up, or is there extra parts I will need?

 

[engdept]

You will need a 4.0 starter. While you are in there, you should upgrade to the 4.0 clutch.

 

[2ranger87]

You will need a 4.0 starter. While you are in there, you should upgrade to the 4.0 clutch.

Why would he need a 4.0 starter to go with an M5OD? The starter bolt pattern never changed.

My '91 2.9/M5OD came factory with the "larger" non-gear reduction starter.

 

[rkbowles]

ok, so I need to put in a new starter and 4.0 clutch. But, I am still confused. ( I know little about tranny's). The guy who rebuilt this transmission stated the Mazda would not fit, that it had to be the same tranny. Are you guys saying everything on a mazda transmission will bolt up? I have very little faith in this mechanic, I think he just wants another $1000 which he ain't getting from me.

 

[engdept]

The M50D-R1 from a 4.0 bolts directly to the 2.9. There are NUMEROUS people who have done it including myself.

 

[2ranger87]

The M50D-R1 from a 4.0 bolts directly to the 2.9. There are NUMEROUS people who have done it including myself.

+1

I'm not certain, but the only issue may be with the t/case shifter, if of course you have a manual shift t/case. Wasn't that shifter specific to the m5od?

 

[AllanD]

There is a POTENTIAL issue with the T-case shifter when swapping from an FM146 to a Mazda on an '88-90 IF the 1990 was produced before 11-89.

On later 1990's all 1991's and 1992 2.9 trucks this is a non issue.

The reason for this is the T-case shifters used with the Borg-Warner
13-50 transfer case, which fortunatly you do not have.

As your truck is a 1991 you have the borg warner 13-54 T-case
and there is ONLY ONE shifter for the 13-54 and it fits ALL 1988-up transmissions

The ONE issue you will encounter is that the Mazda transmission mounts it's shifter
2-3/4" further forward than the Fm146, so a different shift boot and the removable
plate in the floor that the shifter boot mounts to is also different.

And you'll get to remove a picee of carpet about half the size of a postcard from
in front of the shifter and glue it in place behind the shifter.

Other than that the Mazda M5OD-R1 and the FM146/132(the 2wd version 1989-90)
are designed to be more or less interchangeable.

AD

 

[rkbowles]

what year should I look for with the M50D-21 transmission? Is it neccessary to replace the starter and clutch? I am trying to go the least expensive route.

thanks

 

[azhrei]

trans swap

hi I did a swap from an 87 fm145 to a 92 m5od clutch and starter were not changed problem I had which I believe posted someplace on here is that the clutch pedal thru firewall was a different angle

oops since I had a 2 piece drive shaft had to have the small one shortened and also moved the trans bracket

Paul

 

[rkbowles]

Ok, I have found 3 transmissions. i searched fo a 91 ranger 4x4 2,9 mitsubishi and came up with these at a salvage yard not too far away.

1990 Transmission Ford Bronco II 4X4,MT,
1989 TransmissionFord Bronco II M.T.4X4,
1990TransmissionFord Bronco II

Are these FM146's? I can get one for 350.00, but since they are a different year, i just want to make sure they are the same

 

[Jspafford]

Some of the late model B2's had the M5OD. Not many. You'd be better searching for a Ford Ranger 1991 Year.

I did the FM-146 to M5OD swap and it was cake. Everything bolted up, but the shifter moved forward about 3 inches in the floor. I reused the 2.9 starter, and am still using it to this day. I wish I would have put in a 4.0L clutch, but I had just bought a new 2.9l clutch and starter so I wanted to reuse it.

Next time I do a clutch job, it's been 16K so far, I may upgrade.