will any of the v-6 trannys bolt up to the 2.3 four cyl

[94 lngbd]

I have a 94 2wd & i plan to convert to 4wd ,I have a 1350 & 1354 manual transfercase's & explorer 8.8 lsd 3.73 rearend & a dana35 explorer 3.73 front end & a 5.5 superlift kit & all of the hanger brackets from a 4wd, but to start this conversion im wanting to stay with the 4 cyl ,may opt for the 4.0 at a much later date ,but now I need to know is any of the v-6 4wd 5spd trannys able to bolt to the 4 cyl engine.

If not then what years is best for me to be looking for a 4 cyl 4wd 5spd tranny. I would like to find the Mazda version as I've been told its the better tranny.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The Mazda trans is intergral bell housing. The TKs and the Mitsu tranies are removable bell housing and the bells interchange.
The 4cyl bellhousing pattern is stricktly 4cyl.
The 3.0 V-6 is stricktly 3.0.
The 2.8,2.9, and 4.0 all interchange.
The 4cyl, 4x4, Mazda trans is rare. Anybody that can rebuild one can build you a 4cyl,4x4 trans quite easily.
Cool?

 

[94 lngbd]

Is the newer 2.5L 4 cyl basically the same block as the 2.3L

What years is best for me to look for of the 4 cyl 4x4 tranny?
A co worker has a 84 4x4 with a 5 spd ,but my truck is a 94 ,would the tranny still work for my engine?

 

[weejohn]

your best bet is to get a 4x4 version of the mazda m50d-r1 (which is what is in your truck) and have someone put the guts from the 4.0 or a 3.0 might be better. into your 2.3 housing.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The '84 4x4, 5 speed would be a TK5. The clutch line is different. The shifter hole in the floor is in a slightly different location. Otherwise it would fit and work just fine. The 2.5 and 2.3 (2000 and older) are the same bellhousing pattern.
Also, the engine/suspension crossmember is different between and 2wd and a 4x4. If installing a lift anyway, It would be fairly easy to modify the mounts to work but, It's not gonna bolt in.