I just bought a 1988 Ford Ranger 4cyl with a fairly new 5sp. trans. I was wondering what other rangers that trany will fit in. The motor has a snapped rod and the body is rough. I know somebody that has a ranger 4cyl that is extended cab. I would like to know if my trany would fit in that ranger (since the trany is gone). I don't know the year but it is the same body style. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

you should be good if you stick with the 4 banger.

 

There are 2 5sp trans those Rangers could have come with. One is the Mazda 5sp w/ 1 piece trans housing. These are known to leak from the 3 shift rail plugs when they get older. The other is more common in the 4x4 4 cyl, and that is the Mitsubishi 2 piece trans housing. The bellhousing is a separate piece so it is easy to spot.

If the two are not the same then you may have to also swap the clutch, x-member, driveshaft, etc..... Basically anything that could be different. My point is, don't just pull the trans and toss the truck before you know what you need.

 

The one i have is 1 piece. Both trucks are 2wd and i think that the one with the bad trany is an '88 too. I was wondering if they used different tranys in the extended and stardard cab trucks.

 

The cab dimensions didn't seem to matter. Look at my Sig. Mine is a Super-cab with a Mazda 5sp. I believe the Mitsu trans came on more 4x4s than 4x2s, but I can't be sure. Those 2 trans were used in all models AT LEASED from 83'-91'. I believe the 2 piece housing of the Mitsu was so they could fit it to the 2.9L 6cyl, and the 2.3L (diff bolt patterns) that came in those years too.

 

the mitsu tranny only came on 4x4 models. the FM145 was used from 85-89 and the FM146 was used from 88-92. after 92 only mazdas were used on 4x4 and 4x2.

 

I will have to trust you if you say so. I don't remember the Haynes making any distinction. If I remember it just referred to engine displacement. You could have a 2.3L with the Mazda 5sp, or a 2.3L with the Mitsu. And 2.3L 4s came in both 4x2 & 4x4.

 

The ranger i have has a 2.0, is that the same as the 2.3?

 

check this site out
http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/...nny_guide.html
scroll to middle of the page.

turns out the FM146 was used on 4x2 but had a dummy transfer case but they were built for 4x4 versions.

 

Justen - I am not sure about the 2.0L engine. I THINK that is the Toyota engine that had a carb and no FI. As far as what trans came with it????? Crawl under there and look for the model # tag. You said it is a 1 piece case and bellhousing that would suggest a Mazda trans. If the tag says something like E87A-FE (or similar) it is a Mazda. It really can't be a Mitsu, but anyway the codes for those were posted above by el conquistador.

el conquistador - I do remember something about this from when I replaced my trans, I just didn't have the proof. Somewhere I read about the "dummy" transfer case, and I was like...... "WHHHAAAT!" Maybe Ford was running low on supply of Mazda trans at the time????? Why else would you have a 4x2 with a transfer case?

Stealth 4x4 maybe with a secret switch.

 

It does have a carb., but why would there be a toyota engine in a ford. I understand the Mazda trans. but Toyota

The code is E97A-DA, guess thats pretty close

 

confirmed, you have the mazda tranny.