Variants of M5OD-R1 (M5R1) transmissions


Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Messages
3
Points
1
City
Seattle
Vehicle Year
1990
Engine
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
I had an issue with my 1990 2.9L Ford Ranger 4x4 where the synchro teeth for 5th and reverse were ground down, along with the teeth on the slider. I've ordered a new slider and new synchros but the slider that came in seems to be for a M5R1-15 transmission and looks to be incompatible with my existing damaged slider. I want to know versions of M5R1 exist because I seem to have bought parts for the wrong one. My old slider has a ring cut into the surface whereas the new one has symmetrical bevels.

While I'm not asking about M5OD-R2 or M5OD-R1HD feel free to include information about those transmissions too.

The general questions I want to know are:
What models have 36-tooth synchronizers and what versions have 30-tooth synchros
What are the difference between "early" and "late" M5R1 transmissions
Are parts from "early" or "late" M5R1 transmissions cross-compatible
What is M5R1-15, and how does it differ from other M5R1 transmissions
Are any of these versions considered better than the others?

Now for my transmission problem specifically: would this slider part I received labeled M5R1-15 5th/Reverse slider, which looks different from my existing slider, still possibly be compatible?

Here's a picture of my old, damaged 5th/Reverse synchronizer slider (36-tooth). You can see the flat surface that's been cut out on the right side of it, whereas the left side retains a bevel. After receiving the new slider I'm no longer sure what version of the M5OD-R1 transmission it came from
OldSlider.jpg

Here's the new slider I got labelled M5R1-15 "early" (36-tooth), which has bevels on both sides. Honestly, it looks a lot like my 3rd/4th gear synchronizer slider
NewSlider.jpg

And here's both side-by-side so the differences are more visible
BothSliders.jpg


If there is any confusion, this is the part I bought labelled "early style": https://www.transmissionpartsdistri...-mazda-88-93-non-updated-early-style-m5r1-15/
Suggesting the existence of a "late style" that I can't seem to nail down.
 
Last edited:

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