transmission swappage?

[91explorermatt]

I recently got my explorer 4.0 sport 5speed with an m5od and the transmission crapped out on me. and the ranger's engine is shot but the transmission is perfect and only about 3 years old, but its mated to a 2.9 and is 4x4.

I know that I can put a 4.0 clutch flywheel and started onto the 2.9 trans, but can I just take the entire transmission from the ranger and slap it under the explorer? I think that i can change the out put shaft out from the m5od to the ranger transmission(which I know is not an m5od) but if not than cant the transfer case stay on the back? as long as it doesn't loose fluid I don't see an issue? or is it even possible to take the 2.9 trans and put it behind the 4.0

I figured I'd make a franken car since one has a bad trans and the other has a bad motor then strip the ranger and get money at the scrap yard for it

 

[LittleHorse]

the 4.0 and 2.9 have the same bolt pattern so the Ranger trans will bolt to the 4.0.

There was an M5OD for the 2.9 that would interchange with the 4.0 M5OD (minor differences like gear ratios but otherwise identical) but if the 2.9 transmission you have isn't an M5OD, the tailshaft won't be swappable. It's not just an output shaft, it holds 1, 2, 3, 5th, and reverse on it as well as all th synchros and shift dogs and is unique to the transmission.

 

[91explorermatt]

what if I leave the transfer case on the back of the ranger transmission?

I know that the ranger trans is an FM146.

 

[LittleHorse]

so I take it the Explorer is a 2WD? (otherwise you wouldn't be talking about swapping output shafts)

You could put the transfer case in the explorer but you'll need to do something with your driveshaft. The explorer one will be too long and the Ranger one may not bolt up to your differential if it has a different flange. I haven't worked on a 2WD so I don't even know if the output yoke is the same.

Most of the parts between the trans and engine (flywheel, clutch, starter etc) will stay with the 4.0. I'm not 100% sure about the slave cylinder, but I think it does too.

 

[91explorermatt]

right the ranger is 4x4 and the explorer is 4x2, both are 91 ranger is regular cab(don't think that makes a difference) and the explorer is a sport(that makes a big difference) I think as long as I know I can get the ranger trans behind the explorer than I shouldn't have an issue with the drive shaft, the bone yard isn't too far away.

plus if one of the drive shafts are long enough then I can swap yokes out and have it balanced can't I? the universals are they same aren't they?