M5OD-R1 to M5OD-R1HD swap

[franchise2002]

I have read through a bunch of threads and I cant find the exact answere I need. I have a 1993 explorer with a M5OD-R1 in it and I was thinking about upgrading to the R1HD and I know the HD housing extension does not have the bosses for the manual transfer case. my question is if I can just take the housing extension from my old r1 and just install it on the HD without any issues?

 

[Anime]

I don't see why not. The HD is basically the same transmission, just with some slightly different gear ratios, and an extra electrical connector that goes unused on earlier vehicles.

No reason the extension wouldn't work, it's just a piece of metal adapting the transfer case to the transmission. They probably just figured anyone who bought a new one and had a manual t-case would do so, or buy a new extension seperately, and it saved them from having to offer a seperate part number just for versions with that extension.