Using a 2wd Trans in a 4wd.

[Samoore84]

Hello all you Ranger people. I have a 1994 Four Wheel Drive 2.3 Manual ranger and I am looking at getting a 1994 Two wheel drive 2.3 Transmission. Question i have is, is there a difference between the two or can i just change the tail shafts and bolt everything together. Let me know and Happy Hunting people!!!!

 

[Captain Ledd]

Should be able to just change the tail shafts and swap the extension housing.

I'm curious though, what happened to the 4wd trans?

I'm finally in a position to do my 4x4 swap this winter (which includes the question you asked, on a 2.3 trans no less). I have the room, I have the funds, and I have several people lined up to help. I'll be documenting the process and covering the differences in things.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Yes, both transmissions will be the M5OD-R1(M5R1) so you can swap tail shaft and housing, but I wouldn't refer to it as "just swap"
The main shaft is what you are swapping, so a bit of tear down is needed

But 2.3l 4WD transmissions are few and far between so...........probably worth the effort

Yes, rebuilding the current 4WD trans may also be worth the effort

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, like Ron said, it isn't really "just swap". I've done it and you pretty much can't take the trans any farther apart than what is needed to do the sex-change operation properly.

A press is needed for disassembling the main shaft assembly BTW.