Has anyone had any experience in swapping out the crappy mazda 5-spd manual with a t5 5-spd from a t-bird turbo coupe or merkur? It's time to replace the trans (2nd time) and from what I hear (and have experienced) the mazda trans is weak, and t5 is a stronger trans.

Thanks,

squaresquire

 

Got 160K on the one in my daughter's Ranger and never a problem with the Mazda 5 speed. I'm really surprised you've had trouble with it. Anyway, sorry, never done the swap.

 

The Mazda 5sp is weak, BUT it is bolted to an equally weak 2.3L engine. Don't get me wrong, I like my 2.3L for the 23-29MPG, easy to work on, and it gets around just fine. The Ranger was never intended to be a street pounder.

Back to the Mazda 5sp though, if you take care of it, watch out for the common leaks, change the fluid, and don't beat on it, it should last a good long time. The #1 cause of failure in this trans is the leaks and running it hard when it is low. I have replaced my Mazda 5sp (orig owner didn't do much maint) with a rebuilt one for about $750 shipped to the door.

I don't know anything about the Ranger 2.3L + T5, but if it came out of a 2.3L car then it should bolt up. Your problems are going to be the trans x-member, and the driveshaft. You would need to take A LOT of measurements and you may end up custom making some pieces. Good luck with the project, but IMHO I would stick with a rebuilt unit with a good warranty and take care of it. Just my $.02.

Texan2004 - don't be surprised, they fail ALL the time. Mostly due to the reasons I mentioned. The 3 rubber plugs up on the top are prone to rot and leak.

 

I replaced those plugs so it wouldn't fail and check the fluid in the tranny and rear end at least once a year. I also make it a practice to check the underside of the vehicle for any fluid leaks everytime I change the oil. Probably why mine has not failed.

Weak is relative which is what I also read into you statement G2IC. I believe that the transmission is adequatley designed for the engine it is mated to (2.3L 4 cyl). If properly maintained it will last quite a while as evidenced by the tranny in my daughter's truck. It survived her thus far. She started driving when she was 16 and is now 22. For those who are thinking that girls aren't as hard on vehicles as boys, you haven't met my daughter. My wife is just as bad so I know where the daughter got it from.

 

I think you would find if you asked all the guy/girls with failed Mazda 5sp (which will be A LOT) if they maintained it like that and the answer will be a resounding "NO". So it is not a piece that can be neglected like many owners do. Many of these are the same ones who have never checked or changed diff oil.

So to you for taking care of it. And yes weak is a relative term. The operative term I think you used is "adequatley designed". So if it was to get a grade it would be like a C to maybe C+ at best.

 

Where are you in VA?? Just curious.

 

Burke, VA. NW of Springfield

 

I grew up in Newport News.