What trans.?

[banginona40]

I'm looking for a Ranger 2.3 5speed for an engine trans swap in my 1933 Ford Pickup. From what I can gather 1987 would be my best bet if I can find one but should at least be between 1984 and 1988 ?? Is this correct? One question is can I consider a 4x4 Ranger? Is the transfer case removable or is the whole transmission completely different? Not to offend anyone but is this swap as good or a better choice than a Toyota 22r ?

Thanks, Any and all feedback will be appreciated on this swap.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

so youre looking for a 2.3l engine and manual trans to put into your 93, or are you looking for just a transmission? if your swapping transmissions i would be looking for a mazda m5od from an 89-95 from either another 2.3l, a 2.9l, or a 4.0l. the 3.0l has a helhousing that is unique to the 3.0 so it is not interchangeable. the only weak spot of the m5od is they are prone to leak from the 3 rubber plugs on the top of the trans by the shifter. this is easily remedied by installing 3 dorman freeze plugs, part no. 555-018. hope this info helps, heres a link to a page about the transmissions http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html
and another about the plugs http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

wait, i just realized you said it was a 1933 pickup, in that case im not sure if any of that info will be helpfull.

 

[scotts90ranger]

there's more aftermarket for the yota engines, but the 2.3 is extremely reliable, and the best transmission is found in '88 to '94 rangers, those transmissions will let you drive a mechanical speedo and most likely won't die on you, the downside is on this tranny you would have to rig up the hydraulic clutch, all of the ranger transmissions are hydraulic, some of the '85 and earlier trannies had external slave cylinders though.

the older engines would probably be easier to swap in, I believe they went fuel injected in '86 if that changes your choice. the earlier fuel injected engines would probably be easy enough to swap in, there's some wiring you could remove and reroute to where you want it.

 

[Bryan22]

another option to avoid a hydraulic setup is a t-5 out of a mustang the earlier ones had a cable set-up. i don't know what years, but i know my 84 with a 2.3t has a cable. also the toyota is a great set-up, but why not just go with a 2.3 turbo and a t-5? either route you choose, reliability is going to be top notch.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Just a correction, the M5OD-R1 trans has to be originally mated to the 2.3L Lima engine. A 4.0L, 2.9L, or 3.0L casted bellhousing WILL NOT work with the 2.3L Lima.

Bryan22 mentioned 2.3 turbo with the T5! Great option.

 

[Bryan22]

ya i think the only interchangeable trannys are the 2.9 and 4.0 someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Yep, you're right. But there are differences between the two internally. The gear ratios are wider with the 2.9L (same gear set found in the 2.3L and 3.0L trans). The 4.0L trans pushes the first three gears closer together.

 

[briansz]

The early TK4 and TK5 Ranger transmissions had removable bellhousings, so you can find them behind the V6's as well as the 4-bangers. As mentioned, the FM145 and M50D trannies have integral cast bellhousings. I'm going to run the M50D behind my turbo swap (I've picked up two of them).

'87 and newer motors may have the cast aluminum oil pan instead of the steel one. There's also the issue of crank journal sizes and lack of distributor/fuel pump holes on the newer blocks.

Also three different intake port shapes used on the heads during various years.

Think roller cams and followers came in around '88 in some motors and were in most of them by '90.

Lots of this stuff interchanges. Read up.