zach.stov
Member
- Joined
- December 25, 2009
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Dallas, TX
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2005 XLT
Hello everyone! Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions. I have a 2005 Explorer XLT with just at 100,000 miles on it. I have owned the truck for 7 years now and it has been a great vehicle. I have the 4.0 SOHC V6 and 2WD platform and I am always impressed with where this conglomerate of steel and rubber can go. If it's dry, I can usually get through or up whatever I need. This thing has been to the top of several mountains and has towed thousands of pounds of wood and materials up trails that were daunting even without a trailer. I'm always impressed. Anyways, the truck is paid off and I've slowly (with the help of this forum) begun modifying my Exploder to make it something unique and more capable.
As of lately, my 5r55 has been acting up. Pretty normal stuff from searching through this forum. I'm right at the 100,000 mile mark when these things apparently start to fall apart. The larger 31'' BFG's, extensive trail time and heavy towing are sure to have fueled the fire. Oh well. My latest project for the Exploder is doing a 5-speed transmission swap with the M5OD. Before anyone says, "just repair the 5r55 or swapping in another auto is easier.." just hold the phone because that is not the direction I want to go. The 5speed swap will be more time consuming and expensive and I understand that. I also believe that the results will justify the work and the price tag.
I have researched this topic EXTENSIVELY. Scouring the internet for days has given me a tiny bit of information on what is needed. Unfortunately, nobody has done an in depth thread on how exactly this is done. The most I can really find is a "parts list" from a previous EXPforum member and a few odds and ends from guys over at the RangerStation.com.
From what I can put together, for my 4.0SOHC V6, the M5OD-R1HD or M5OD-R4 (not sure of the difference) from a 2002 Explorer or later year Ranger will bolt right up to my engine. From my searches I have found that I will need:
M5OD-R1HD or R4 Transmission
Slave cylinder
Master cylinder
Clutch and brake pedal assembly
Clutch
Flywheel
Hydraulic lines
Tuner (SCT XCAL)
Shifter/Knob/Boot
A fancy hole in my floor
I have found a 2002 Expl with the 5speed over at a junk yard close to my house. I haven't been by to check the condition of the vehicle yet so I'm not sure if the drive train is in any condition to be pulled. This post is to get some ideas and options from those who are more experienced in this area than I am.
So - If I do go and pull this transmission from the junker, I will pull everything from my list if it's still attached. Tranny, master, slave cylinders, pedal assembly, clutch, flywheel, shifter, knob, boot. Every post I have read on this project suggests replacing the cylinders, clutch and flywheels with brand new stuff. Understandable. I don't want to be tearing this thing apart in a year because of leaks or worn parts.
I have also found a business called smartpartsauto.com that sells built transmissions for Ranger/Explorers/F150s etc. They do sell the two variants of the M5OD that I could possibly use.
Here is a link to the M5OD-R1:
http://www.smartpartsauto.com/manual_transmission_m5r1_mazda.html
Here is a link to the M5OD-R4:
http://www.smartpartsauto.com/manual_transmission_m5r4.html
I would rather fork over the green bills and buy a brand new transmission. For the time and effort this will take me, doing it right and having piece of mind for the next 100,000+ miles plus the durability to withstand any future power upgrades would be ideal.
So, explorerfourm, with all of your infinite knowledge, can you give me your .02 cents on this swap? What would you do? Which one of the M5OD variants will bolt up? What parts would you pull and which would you order new? Am I forgetting any parts?
I plan on starting this swap in July and would love to get all my parts ordered/pulled and have everything ready to go. (I'm sure there will be some odds and ends that I will find I missed and that will be ordered from under the truck but I'd like to have the major stuff ready).
I really appreciate any feedback and I will most definitely make an in-depth build thread on this project from start to finish to help others out there like me that are interested in the 5-speed conversion.
Thanks a ton,
Zach