89 Super cab with a 4.0 swap

[RowdyFitz]

I have two words for you
Tiger tools

After years of using hammers, sockets, 12 ton press now 20 ton press and replacing umpteen u joints a year I finally bought one of these and now I joints are too easy
Even rusted full one ton truck u joints come apart with this baby

Tiger Tool U Joint Pullers (Automotive (Class 1-3)) | The Original Inventor | Made in North America Amazon product ASIN B000FN4NV4

I’ve never seen such a contraption! I used to use a socket and a hammer. Now I’m using a ball joint press. It works fine when I’m not being mentally challenged lol.

 

[RowdyFitz]

Here are the 64” leaf pics. I used the top bolt on the rear cab mount to locate the hanger. I didn’t add or remove any leafs from the spring pack. I will be waiting until I finish the coilover install before I do that. That way, I can set my ride height when loaded. I’m just about wrapped up for the front end. I still need to install the driver side u-joint but that will have to wait until I order a new one. Gonna try to reassemble the front end today.

 

[RowdyFitz]

I was able to get a little bit done. My indecisiveness and a couple other things slowed me down lol. Diff is in, driver side is back together and the passenger is close to being finished. I moved the passenger beam pivot bracket to the front of the crossmember flange and now it’s interfering with the diff. I’m wondering if I need to move the driver’s side forward a half inch or so. I’ll measure everything out after I put it all together and see. Maybe I will have to put it back on the rear of the engine crossmember.

 

[RowdyFitz]

She’s put back together! The ratcheting lockers will take some getting used to, but she turns almost the same as before. Test drove her down some ditch banks. The ride is significantly better! I need to add some spacers for the RA ends. They clack some while going over wash boards. It stutters while accelerating and lacks power. I still need to go through the vacuum lines and hopefully that fixes it.
I was able to figure out the driver headlight and the turn signal issues. Swapped on a spare turn signal switch, a flasher relay and found a ground for the headlight that wasn’t bolted down. Then I swapped in the correct pigtail for the cigarette lighter. Now I can charge schtuff.

 

[RowdyFitz]

Took her for her first hunt! She performed ok….
A few gremlins and my tires suck in the snow…

 

[RowdyFitz]

It’s been a little bit since I posted. I brokedid the transmission back in December. It sat for a few months where it broke down, up in the mountains. I was able to get to it last week. I was all alone and decided to try dragging it off the mountain. I was able to get it about 4 miles, to a place where I could get a trailer. Only wrapped the tow strap up i the driver’s side wheel once. But it ran off the road a bunch of times lol. I had to constantly stop and turn the steering wheel, lock it and pull it back on the road.

 

[Josh P]

Will you swap an M5OD transmission in place of the weaker FM146?

 

[RowdyFitz]

Will you swap an M5OD transmission in place of the weaker FM146?

Yes sir! I ordered it last week. It might be here in another 7 days maybe 14.

 

[410Fortune]

Good job getting her home by yourself!
I often use a ratchet strap to keep the steering wheel turned or straight while I drag disabled trucks around by myself

What 5 speed did you order?

 

[RowdyFitz]

Good job getting her home by yourself!
I often use a ratchet strap to keep the steering wheel turned or straight while I drag disabled trucks around by myself

What 5 speed did you order?

 

[410Fortune]

M5od is a huge upgrade over the earlier toyo kogo or Mitsubishi 5 speedsthe early 5 speeds had gearing suited for a car not a truck. Once you let the clutch out with that first gear you will know what I am talking about

 

[RowdyFitz]

M5od is a huge upgrade over the earlier toyo kogo or Mitsubishi 5 speedsthe early 5 speeds had gearing suited for a car not a truck. Once you let the clutch out with that first gear you will know what I am talking about

I appreciate your verification. I used to have a 99 ranger with a M5r1 too. I’m looking forward to it being more reliable. I was hoping that since I installed the lower gears it would’ve lasted the winter. But it quit me in a bad spot lol.

 

[410Fortune]

The 4.0 makes more torque then those old 5 speeds can handle plain and simple

Over the years I have done ma y 4.0 swaps, there have been two times when people used their existing 5 speeds the old toyo! I warned them “ now is the time to find a m5od, maybe even the hd version” the nice part about this is you can also use the sohc clutch with some simple flywheel mods which gives you much better pedal feel and way more grip.

4.0 + m5od + sohc clutch into a rain gutter ranger is just the perfect setup

 

[RowdyFitz]

The 4.0 makes more torque then those old 5 speeds can handle plain and simple

Over the years I have done ma y 4.0 swaps, there have been two times when people used their existing 5 speeds the old toyo! I warned them “ now is the time to find a m5od, maybe even the hd version” the nice part about this is you can also use the sohc clutch with some simple flywheel mods which gives you much better pedal feel and way more grip.

4.0 + m5od + sohc clutch into a rain gutter ranger is just the perfect setup

I agree, the TK’s are weak. I didn’t know the SOHC clutch would fit. I’ll inspect the clutch that’s in it and if it’s on the way out, I’ll replace it. It might have a newer clutch though.

 

[RowdyFitz]

The wife told me last night that my tires, transmission and wheels came in yesterday. Apparently I have quite the pile of parts in the front yard lol.

 

[RowdyFitz]

New stuffs!

 

[RowdyFitz]

Well it has a 2.9 clutch and flywheel…
I’m gonna go to town and order the parts tomorrow to replace everything and get it up to par.

 

[410Fortune]

Smart

Now if you order a clutch for a 2003 ranger edge with the sohc you will see the clutch itself is way more robust the pressure plate is heavy duty and the driven disc is much larger

You can pull the locating pins out of a 4.0 6 bolt flywheel, lay the new sohc clutch on top of the flywheel and mark 6 holes. Drill and tap those holes ( I usually have a machine shop do this, cheap) and now you can run the much larger and better sohc clutch. It will last much longer, it grips waaaaay better and the best part is the clutch pedal has a way better feel and grip point

One of the best mods we do to a 4.0 ohv 5 speed truck

Sohc clutch is pricey, well worth it

The 4.0 used a 6 bolt crankshaft from 1990-1997, in 98 it went to a 8 bolt crank just like the sohc. So the 98-2000 ohv you can simply use a 8 bolt sohc flywheel, for the earlier ohv engines we have to drill the flywheel to fit the sohc clutch

 

[RowdyFitz]

Smart

Now if you order a clutch for a 2003 ranger edge with the sohc you will see the clutch itself is way more robust the pressure plate is heavy duty and the driven disc is much larger

You can pull the locating pins out of a 4.0 6 bolt flywheel, lay the new sohc clutch on top of the flywheel and mark 6 holes. Drill and tap those holes ( I usually have a machine shop do this, cheap) and now you can run the much larger and better sohc clutch. It will last much longer, it grips waaaaay better and the best part is the clutch pedal has a way better feel and grip point

One of the best mods we do to a 4.0 ohv 5 speed truck

Sohc clutch is pricey, well worth it

The 4.0 used a 6 bolt crankshaft from 1990-1997, in 98 it went to a 8 bolt crank just like the sohc. So the 98-2000 ohv you can simply use a 8 bolt sohc flywheel, for the earlier ohv engines we have to drill the flywheel to fit the sohc clutch

Well crap lol. I already ordered the new ohv parts. I think just going from the 2.9 to 4.0 clutch will suffice for now.

 

[Josh P]

The 4.0 ohv clutch is a good upgrade. I'm not sure off the top of my head, I'm wondering if the starter has to be changed as well?