Couple of 5-speed questions

[JoshC]

Hello all, some of you might know already that i am converting my 97 to a manual tranny because some of you have answered questions for me but i now have a few more.

Well, i finally got all my parts in today and i was getting ready to put her to back together, so i took off my old flexplate and was getting ready to bolt on the new flywheel and i noticed that the it wasn't the same. The salvage yard i had gotten from gave me one from something else. My block has 8 bolt holes and this one had only 6, everything else was fine, the clutch bolted up to it and the pilot bearing even fit fine, so that really pissed me off. So tomorrow i have to order my "new" flywheel from ford for $103. Not a bad price i didn't think.

Okay, first question.
1) I know my speedo is electronic, but what does it run off of on the tranny. The tranny only has one electrical hook up and i know that is for the reverse light, does it go through there?

2) Has anyone bought a longer shifter for their X. I just kind of placed my shifter through the hole in the floor where it should be and it seems pretty short, of course i'm not use to it, but i was wondering if a shifter from an F-150 or something like that would fit or would it look really stupid?

3) My lock cylinder for my key, i know it is different from a standard shift, but will mine work alright for the time being, i'd like to get a lock cylinder for mine, but i want to keep my same key. Is that possible too? But the real questions is mine still going to work alright with everything?

4) I've considering a manual transfer cases switch for mine. Is that possible for this year of X. I saw a bunch of them at the salvage yard that were pretty new, like in a Ranger and stuff, if so, this would get rid of the AUTO 4x4 right? Well it would have to because it's electronic. But there was no hole in the floor board like there was for the stick of the manual tranny so does this mean that one would have to be cut to fit, or what?

That's about all i can think of for right now, thanks for you help!

Happy trailes!

 

[Robert]

Answers to questions 1 & 3

1) Your speedometer is driven off of the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) which is located on your transfer case. If you re-use your transfer case, then your speedometer won't be affected. On a '97 2WD, the VSS is on the transmission tailshaft.

2) Your lock cylinder shouldn't be affected. With your VIN, and key code, Ford could probably order you a new cylinder that is already keyed for your current key. If you don't have your key code, I don't believe they will order you one. You can also take any lock cylinder into a locksmith and they can change the tumblers to match your current key. When I put a new cylinder in my Wife's '93 Sable I think the quotes were around $30 to re-key the new cylinder.

 

[JoshC]

Hey thanks alot man, i never thought about it being on the transfer case, thanks for your help, by the way, your X looks good!

Happy trailes!

 

[Robert]

Thanks

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Jot, The Manual T-case conversion would be Easy to do. you just need a Few parts and You can do it to your Explorer. You can buy the plate that bolts to the Floor that is Cut for the Manual Shifter. There is one other Thing you would need. You need a Front Drive shaft from a 91-94 Explorer. Cause where it connects to the T-case is Different.

Good luck

 

[JoshC]

Hey Kris thanks, i'll be sure and keep that in mind when i decide to do it, thanks for your help!

Happy trailes!