I have a chance to buy a used '89 M5R2 trans. It will need a rebuild (just like my current '96). I was thinking of offering $50 for the used tranny and then I would be able to rebuild it at my leisure. I understand the backup light switch is in a different location - is there anything else? Will this tranny work out for my '96? Both our trucks are 2wd - the donor vehicle was an F150.

Thanks,

John

 

Someone knows this... hoping for some confirmation one way or another...

 

I believe that it would. There was some functional upgrades with the later produced M5R2.

I would suggest googling for rebuilt transmission companies and see if their listing is the same for a 89 and 96 M5R2.

 

I'm pretty sure the transfer case shifter is different on the 4x4's. The old ones had the side-side interlock versus push-down.

 

Yeah-and I just remembered that the 89 had a mechanical/analog speedo/odometer and the 92 and later had a digital/electronic driven off the ring gear.

 

Excellent point about the speedo attachment - I hadn't given that a lot of thought. Almost looks like I'm stuck looking for a '96? Because the listings then go from '97 to '04...

 

No, you can go backwards without much trouble, you just can't put a new trans in the old truck.

 

I really appreciate the input - so the speedo will retrofit OK on the older tranny then? What about the backup light?

 

No, but that is not a bad thing - the speedo on your 96 truck is driven off the rearend. So the speedo drive hole in the 89 trans will need to be blocked off.

Here is a block off that should work:
D&D Performance - R75 Speedo Blockoff Plug

Oh and these guys should be able to answer any other M5OD questions - they work on LOTS of them. They have been very helpful to me in the past and are fair on their prices.
Southern Gear Co. - The Standard Transmission Professionals

 

Thanks Mike - you're right - I forgot all about the speed sensor on the rear end and I very much appreciate the link for the block-off! Looks like I'm in business. Thanks guys.