I got the 06 tranny blues.

[CountryBill]

Hi all, I have a 06 that is in all around fabulous shape and reverse is almost non existent. I have read all the band drum broke it's anchor and the likes so I am not looking for that information. What I do want to ask this good looking/highly educated group is: Has anyone themselves or heard of anyone taking a 5 speed manual set up and fabricated into an explorer? TIA.

 

[94Eddie]

With enough money, time and effort anything is possible. My guess is that it would be more economical, far less frustrating and time consuming to install a remanufactured transmission. Then you should be good for another 150k-200k miles if you service it every 50k-60k miles. I have been a member here for a long time and have not seen where anyone converted a 4th gen to a manual transmission.

 

[CountryBill]

With enough money, time and effort anything is possible. My guess is that it would be more economical, far less frustrating and time consuming to install a remanufactured transmission. Then you should be good for another 150k-200k miles if you service it every 50k-60k miles. I have been a member here for a long time and have not seen where anyone converted a 4th gen to a manual transmission.

 

[CountryBill]

Thank you 94Eddie, I appreciate your response. First time Explorer owner here and ready to drop the tranny today so any tips, tricks or must absolutely do's It would be much appreciated. Thanx sir.

 

[94Eddie]

Thank you 94Eddie, I appreciate your response. First time Explorer owner here and ready to drop the tranny today so any tips, tricks or must absolutely do's It would be much appreciated. Thanx sir.

It should be a fairly straightforward process. I recommend doing some preventive maintenance while the transmission is out like replacing the rear main seal, etc.

 

[Josh P]

People have swapped manual transmissions in, there's a few write ups on this site. As stated above, far easier to fix what you got.

 

[mountaineer2004]

It should be a fairly straightforward process. I recommend doing some preventive maintenance while the transmission is out like replacing the rear main seal, etc.

When I replaced my tranny at ~200k, the mechanic (very reputable shop) expressly said not to replace the rear main seal, as it wasn't leaking and could open up a new can of worms if changed. Something about the surfaces mating to each other and a new RMS would upset that.

 

[94Eddie]

When I replaced my tranny at ~200k, the mechanic (very reputable shop) expressly said not to replace the rear main seal, as it wasn't leaking and could open up a new can of worms if changed. Something about the surfaces mating to each other and a new RMS would upset that.

I am not sure why he would say this. The crank isn't an item that will change its rotation geometry unless there is bearing damage. If the old seal isn't leaking then a new seal should be as effective and longer lasting. Maybe I am missing something. I replaced the main seal when I installed a T-56 transmission in my '89 Mustang with 125k miles on it with no issues.

 

[mountaineer2004]

I am not sure why he would say this. The crank isn't an item that will change its rotation geometry unless there is bearing damage. If the old seal isn't leaking then a new seal should be as effective and longer lasting. Maybe I am missing something. I replaced the main seal when I installed a T-56 transmission in my '89 Mustang with 125k miles on it with no issues.

That's exactly what I thought too, but he's the expert and I'm not, so I deferred to his expertise.

129k later all is still good, although I'd probably say the same if the RMS was replaced lol.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

if you have a sohc i think m5od would work

 

[Fix4Dirt]

iirc the 5r55s is ohysically larger tgan the 5r55e that came in the 2nd gens (where the m5od is from) so some custom work may be necessary, but it shouldnt be major. i think the 5r55s tailhousibf was larger is what i remember. i think servo/vb area may have been larger but that i cant remmeber well enough ti definitively say

 

[94Eddie]

That's exactly what I thought too, but he's the expert and I'm not, so I deferred to his expertise.

129k later all is still good, although I'd probably say the same if the RMS was replaced lol.

I am a "do it while you are in there" type of person when it comes to repairs when the replacement parts are inexpensive. I replaced the water pump in my 2010 while the radiator was replaced at around 110k miles.

 

[rmeline]

Did you get your trans rebuilt? See my post for an '06 for sale. $800 or best offer. Has a recently rebuilt trans, 5-speed 5R55S automatic with just 10k miles on it. 11 hour drive.

2006 Explorer 4.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Edition​