v8 swap with m50dr2 and 4406

[howlinghuskie]

Hey guys havnt been on here in quite a while but I recently picked up a 97 explorer I'm pulling the 5.0 out of. Anyway I'm planning on a m5odr2 with a 4406 manual t case anyone running this set up? Looking to see how the shifter fits the floor. Also is there anyway to run my first gen a/c with the 5.0 compressor? Or is it going to involve custom lines. Probably going to run obx headers instead of the tubular manifolds.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Depends on the year m5r2 you have. 96 and earlier have the shifter more forward than the ranger m5r1. which kinda puts it under the dash. so you can either bend a custom handle like i did. or swap over the 97 and up shifter top plate, which keeps the shifter in a rangers stock location. and obviously if you have a 97 and up m5r2 then you're golden

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Depends on the year m5r2 you have. 96 and earlier have the shifter more forward than the ranger m5r1. which kinda puts it under the dash. so you can either bend a custom handle like i did. or swap over the 97 and up shifter top plate, which keeps the shifter in a rangers stock location. and obviously if you have a 97 and up m5r2 then you're golden

No dice on swapping covers.

I advised Twister to try that a few years ago because it seemed like a logical way to get around sparse 4x4 4.2 transmissions (check out his thread) and the older trans had stamped steel shift forks and the later one has aluminum. The later forks were thicker and wouldn't fit into the older transmission's shift collars.

It was proposed to possibly swap all the guts but who knows what else you would run into for little differences and he just found a later trans.

OP, also be sure to check out his thread for the 4406 and what all is involved in getting the speedo work and get it to fit.

 

[howlinghuskie]

I am going next weekend to get the m5od and probably a 4406 the m5 is out of a 97 4.2 with 84k the 4406 has a roughly twice that and is also out of a 97 I do believe I did find a picture with that set up in a second gen explorer and it looks like it should work out well in my ranger

 

[howlinghuskie]

My other option is to just keep my hubs locked in and run the awd case that is in my donor just not sure if I want to go that route or not

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My other option is to just keep my hubs locked in and run the awd case that is in my donor just not sure if I want to go that route or not

I would not, your truck isn't really built for the front axle to run full time.

What Twister had to change inside the t-case for a speedo drive to work. (97+ F-150's use an electronic sender)

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129036&highlight=twister&page=49

And after all that it didn't fit.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129036&highlight=twister&page=53

I have an NP-208 stashed for when I get around to finding an M5OD.

 

[howlinghuskie]

Hm I thought at least the 97 ones were still cable or at least a speed sensor per say as the 97 we used to have still had everything mechanical

 

[howlinghuskie]

It looks like 97-98 have a speedo hole http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/transfer_cases.htm

 

[howlinghuskie]

The bronco 208 is more ideal correct? Or will one from an f150 work

 

[howlinghuskie]

I found one from a bronco for 60 and also one from a f150 for 60 and one from a f250 for 50 with a stretched chain I've also found 2 205s for 50 also so not entirely sure which route I want to go

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They have the hole in the tcase but you have to switch parts inside to make a cable work.

Bronco is more ideal with a fixed yoke rear output but either will work. I have one out of a bronco.

 

[howlinghuskie]

So it sounds like the 208 would be better than the 205?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

No such thing as a free lunch. 208 fits decent and has a better low range. 205 is smaller, higher low range, is much stronger but much heavier.

Both have been done, up to you.

 

[howlinghuskie]

My set up is 29/10.50s thinking about eventually going up to a 30 or 31. 3.73 8.8 (debating if a 3.73 explorer set up would be worth it) its mostly just a street queen very rarely sees off road

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have gotten along fine with my truck running 31's and the stock 1350 t-case. I don't beat on it but it is no street queen either.

205/208 is a lot stronger than a 1350...

Only reason I am swapping tcases is I want overdrive which means my mutant C5 trans has to go...