Will a manual trans from a 2009 4.0 work with my 88 2.9L with the FM146?

[Aidan_1988_xlt]

You can fix that transmission easily. I had the exact same problem with that exact same transmission. The large input bearing is bad.
Like you, I didn't want to get into a full teardown. I was able to pull the tranny out, take some pieces off the front, and was able to weld some nuts to the bearing and pull it out with a puller. It took several tries with the welder, but it finally came off.
I was able to heat the id of the new bearing a little bit, and drive it on with a hammer and a piece of pipe. I had the large cover off the bottom, and put two large screwdrivers behind the input gear to support it while I drove the bearing in place. Drives like a new one now. I got the bearing and gasket from a place online in Florida.

I was debating it but I could get the newer trans of a buddy for $200 so cheaper and easier, may trying rebuilding it for fun someday potentially

 

[SenorNoob]

Ahhh okay, so you think I’d be alright essentially doing the opposite? Swapping in a m5odr1-hd with the 2.9 flywheel and clutch setup still in there for now until i eventually upgrade to the 4.0 clutch? Being like I said earlier that the clutch in my 2.9 is basically new, I could leave my starter & block plate alone in that case for now - would just have to make a t-case shifter adapter for the linkage & make a plate for the floor

Yes. Just don't lose the block plate in the mean time... I would. I started driving it in January of '12 and it was February of '21 when I got the M5OD installed.

Are those LED headlights? What kind and how do you like them?

 

[Aidan_1988_xlt]

Yes. Just don't lose the block plate in the mean time... I would. I started driving it in January of '12 and it was February of '21 when I got the M5OD installed.

Are those LED headlights? What kind and how do you like them?

You know what I don’t actually know I think they are now that you mentioned it, they are aftermarket of some sort the previous owner put them in, they seem good I only actually drove the truck once so far on the road since I bought it a few weeks ago