will the manual tranny from a ranger 4.0 fit the 2.9 engine?

 

It should bolt up just fine.

If you have a junk 4.0 engine you're getting the parts from you should grab the flywheel, clutch, dust shield and starter from it as they are slightly bigger then a 2.9 clutch.

 

No. The starters are on the opposite sides of each engine.

 

am looking at swaping the fm146 for the m5od, and all ive seen were rangers with the 4.0 so far. starter location doesnt bother me, easy fix. wondering if ill have to grab the flywheel, etc or if my old starter would work

 

The M5OD is a common swap onto 2.9s, and was even factory installed for a time. As far as I know, the 4.0 OHV and 2.9 starters are on the same side, but the 4.0 starter is bigger.

If you're going to be swapping the tranny, you might well do the clutch swap. Grab the 4.0 flywheel, starter and the dust shield/block plate and get a 4.0 clutch kit. You don't have to do all that, but the 4.0 OHV clutch is much larger and stronger then the 2.9 clutch.
http://www.therangerstation.com/Maga...lutch_swap.htm
Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions at The Ranger Station

 

I'm wrong! I spoke w/o thinking. 2.9, 3.0 & 4.0 are supposed to be the same. The oil filters are on opposite sides. Sorry.

 

ok, so looking into the two types of m50d, ive decided on seeing if an explorer has one i can grab. looking into a new heavy duty clutch package while i have it out. site says dextron2 auto tranny fluid in the manual, can this be right, or should one use 80/90 gear oil?

 

The M5OD does indeed use ATF.

 

and my transfer case should bolt up to the m5od, right?

 

What's the advantage of the newer 4.0 tranny? I have a '90 Bronco II (9/89) w/ a big slave cylinder leak. Might be worth the work while its out. It has the 5 speed tranny w/OD. Thanks.

 

tranny shop guy says the fm-146 isnt bad as a tranny, friend has a ranger with the 4.0 and i haul a trailer a lot. looking for a tougher tranny for hauling my trailer. the 146 i have isnt bad, i have syncro noise, so i figured ill upgrade while im at it.

 

I think sychros were the biggest issues with the FM145/146. My ranger with the FM145 grinds 3rd.

 

The M5OD is an awesome tranny. It came in the B2's built after 11/89. They hold up well w a 4.0. The FM145/146's don't. They are also the same length as an A4LD. Ur probably going to need to change ur rear driveshaft too. Its a good tranny, u'll like it alot.

 

same length as the a4ld, longer than the 146 or shorter?

 

Just a bit of info before you do this. 1st gear in your
fm146 is 3.76 to 1. First gear in a 4.0 M5OD is 3.40 to 1. So it'll bit a bit more difficult to get the truck and trailer moving from a stop. I'd be the same difference as changing your ring and pinion ratio .36, just something to think about.

The 2.9 M5OD has a 3.72 to 1 1st gear

Good luck.