tranny ideas
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 297
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From: central pa
tranny ideas
syncros are going out again in the 5 speed, 4th is the only quiet gear. this will be the 3rd tranny in 2 years. has anyone done a swap from a 5speed with 4x4 to auto with 4x4? or is there another tranny choice?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Yes
Exactly what do you have? By your replacement rate, I'm guessing you have a '88-'92 2.9l with a mitsubishi trans, just because I've had bad luck with them myself. That replacement rate is horrid, but unfortunately it cannot be blamed entirely on the transmissions. I have owned tons of rangers from '83 through '98 and have only ever replaced 1 manual tranny, and that had 215,000 miles on it. Something else is causing your transmission troubles! There may be other manual options, but unless you have a ranger old enough to have the 2.8l carbureted v6, or happen to have a 2bbl 2.0l (not in a 4x4!) you'd have to change your ECM to swap in an auto. Usually manuals outlast automatics, so I'm curious, what has been blamed for the failures?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: central pa
hmm guess its not in the signature anymore.
98 ranger 4.0 4x4,m50d 250k miles. engine and rest of the truck is solid. replaced original tranny with 1 from Manstrans out of FL. lasted 6 months and started making noise. sent back for warrenty and after 3 weeks,i got it back. now after 6months its starting to sing.
i put 500 miles a week on this truck and need something thats gonna hold up. its not leaking, the slave cylinder is new, its had new clutches every time the tranny is fixed.flywheel is turned and correct shims used on the flywheel.
master cylinder is power bled to remove all air.
with it being a 4x4 i guess its gonna be a pits to put a auto or maybe a t5 in it
98 ranger 4.0 4x4,m50d 250k miles. engine and rest of the truck is solid. replaced original tranny with 1 from Manstrans out of FL. lasted 6 months and started making noise. sent back for warrenty and after 3 weeks,i got it back. now after 6months its starting to sing.
i put 500 miles a week on this truck and need something thats gonna hold up. its not leaking, the slave cylinder is new, its had new clutches every time the tranny is fixed.flywheel is turned and correct shims used on the flywheel.
master cylinder is power bled to remove all air.
with it being a 4x4 i guess its gonna be a pits to put a auto or maybe a t5 in it
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: central pa
thats the problem,seems most people dont want to do a true overhaul and only replace what they think is wrong. i dont have the time to rip this one out and wait 3 weeks to get another one back. and ford wants way too much for one
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Try the FTE parts guy.
Search some more and find places that give a warranty.
Rebuilt M5R1 Transmission - Ranger Transmission - Explorer Transmission - Mazda
The automatic A4LD is referenced as a weak sister. The 5r55- series has it's own special little problems, and the adaptor to put a GM 700r in there is about as much as the above outfit lists for the trans, & probably doesn't work on the 4.0
A t5 also requires some adapting.
Adapting = time and money.
Don't blame the box for a poor rebuild if it gave 10 years of service.
Search some more and find places that give a warranty.
Rebuilt M5R1 Transmission - Ranger Transmission - Explorer Transmission - Mazda
The automatic A4LD is referenced as a weak sister. The 5r55- series has it's own special little problems, and the adaptor to put a GM 700r in there is about as much as the above outfit lists for the trans, & probably doesn't work on the 4.0
A t5 also requires some adapting.
Adapting = time and money.
Don't blame the box for a poor rebuild if it gave 10 years of service.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
its too bad a 'ol np435 (creeper 1st 4-speed) wont bolt up, i changed out my trans 3 years ago and i have to double-clutch to downshift from 5-4 and 3-2. there is a (possiblly) heavier built ranger trans, M5OD-2 ment for the o.h.c. 4.0 that might be better, but im not certian thats really the case, if it is a better, heavier built trans that might be a thought to consider. ive read of some older rangers using a C5 auto. granted thats a old non-overdrive automatic, but its a better unit than a A4LD. you wouuld just have to find one and hope its in good shape or rebuild it. the gm 700 r4 isnt a bad trans, has a lower 1st ratio and a o/d, it just needs a adaptor to mate with the block, maybe some other stuff. heres something to read regarding auto trans in a ranger chassis, may or may not be useful: Ford Ranger Automatic Transmission Identification
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: central ohio
M5ODR-2? used in the higher-hp o.h.c. 4.0's, may or may not be better. the trans i replaced 3 years back has downshifting issues from 5-4 and 3-2. ive learned to double-clutch it when downshifting. ive also been running pennzoil syncromesh fluid in the trans, it does run cooler than with atf.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Yes
It does sound like your rebuilder is lousy. The M5OD-R1 is a good transmission, the only bad part about them is the shift rail plugs popping out, if that doesn't happen then they usually last forever! A whine is a bad sign, no doubt it's failing, but that is just not normal. I would say, try to find a self-serve salvage yard and look for a 4.0l powered ranger stick with a good trans and go used!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Swapping to an auto isn't the answer, you have the hassle and expense of the swap it may prove to be as problematic as it won't be a new tranny. The M50D is a good tranny, I've had 5 of them without a single issue and I abuse them pretty bad off road at times. You need to find a good replacement this time that has been rebuilt correctly. At this point I would say your allmost better off to buy a new one from ford. You may pay through the nose, but it would be a done deal and you wouldn't have to worry about it again in the life time of the truck. As it is your being dollared to death on these rebuilts that aren't panning out. The M5OD really is a good tranny, there's no reason to keep haveing these kinds of problems with them or to switch to an auto, it would be easier to switch rebuilders.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
o.k. its a M5OD-R1HD i was thinking of. been a while since ive read up on things.Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions at The Ranger Station
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 297
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From: central pa
im looking for a tranny now. the link to the builder in texas isnt bad. 800 bucks shipped including the core charge. then ill probably take the 6month old rebuild back in person.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: central pa
well its been a week since ive emailed,called and got voice mail to Mantrans and still no response.
"I believe if we serve our customers and support the product, the rest will come. We've got to get this stuff right." President, D. Moore
that was a quote from the president of Mantran, guess he forgot his own statement
"I believe if we serve our customers and support the product, the rest will come. We've got to get this stuff right." President, D. Moore
that was a quote from the president of Mantran, guess he forgot his own statement
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Remember, you get what you pay for, cheapest doesn't allways mean better. To keep from having problems, I think I would talk to ford and see what kind of deals they could come up with. Or even find a local tranny shop with a good rep to deal with. These cheap over the net trannies aren't really panning out for you at this point. I would rather spend a few xtra bucks now and have it done right so were not discussing it again in 6 months.