89 ranger std trans replacement options

[njohnston]

In the mid 70s I worked at a junk yard and ran across a book they use to cross reference parts that are compatible to what you need, something else that will still bolt up and do the same or similar job. it was a very expensive book, and a closely guarded secret. I have not run across that book since. The book even listed part numbers for adapter kits that were available for those parts that wouldn't quite fit. The times have changed. I dont know if that book or the company that produced it still exists. Im a back yard mechanic. By no means professional. I cant afford mechanic prices, so i figure it out. usually after 2 or 3 tries. My 1989 ford ranger standard 5 speed transmission has been going bad for a while. Many of my stupid assumptions have temporarily improved it, but it finally crapped out. Suffice it to say, i need a new transmission. My cheapest option is a self service junk yard. I need to know which transmissions will bolt up to my engine and drive train, use the same starter, (I grabbed one a while ago that had the starter on the other side, gave up on that one) and operate at all. I only paid 1k for this truck. It has lasted me 5 years. Its paid for itself. I love this truck. The engine is only 4 cyl but strong. Ok, bottom line. What truck or van should I look for in the junkyard? How do I make sure its the right one?
its a mazda M50D-R1 type M transmission. It takes auto tranny fluid. Are there any regular transmissions that will work? Can anyone give me a list of trannies that will fit?

 

[RangerX]

I think you're limited to only other 4-cyl Rangers, 88 and newer. But I'm not positive, and someone else will correct me if im wrong on that.
And, 2wd and 4wd have different tail shafts, so you would have to match whichever your truck is.

What's the issues with the current trans? The m5od is pretty tough, the weak point is usually the slave cylinder causing hard shifting.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[njohnston]

I have had this truck about 6 years now. I experienced the
Difficult shifting after about a year. I put 90 weight in to top
It off. Which didn't fix the problem. I later found out it was
Supposed to be auto trans fluid, so I drained and refilled it.
Then I topped off the hydraulic fluid and the difficult shifting
Got gradually easier. I figured it fixed itself. It happened again
A few years later, topping off the hydro fluid fixed it. Last
Week I went to downshift from 3rd to 2nd and it got real hard
To shift. After I finally got it into 2nd and let the clutch out,
The wheels locked up. I tried 1st and locked up
Again. Some people helped me push it to the side of the road
It seemed like it was partially in gear in neutral. I restarted
The truck and neutral moved the truck but it felt like
It was in 3rd gear in the neutral position, any other gear just
Locked em up. Luckily I was only 3 blocks from home
So I just smoked the clutch a bit, and drove it home.

 

[rb142]

That story started out sounding like a clutch problem, then started sounding like maybe something in the shift forks. Either way, that trans can probably be fixed without too much problem. One would have to take it apart to find the problems though.

The cheapest route is probably a replacement. Another M5OD-R1 from a 4-cylinder is the only real option that I know of without a lot of fabrication. But there are a lot of old 4-cylinder Rangers around. The M5OD-R1 from the 4.0L Ranger/Explorer may also work, though they have some differences in ratios and I believe the upper right bolt hole. There are a lot of those around too.