FM146 to M5OD-R1 shifter boot/bezel question.

Gacknar · Jun 11, 2012

1989 Ranger STX High-rider, regular cab 4x4 with 6" lift.

I have recently completed a FM146 to M5OD swap, but have encountered a problem with the shift boot and boot bezel.

I cut the carpet and moved the bezel forward (+/-) 3" to match the M5OD's shifter, and I was able to cut the carpet in a way that I could cover the gap left from moving the bezel forward.

The problem is I have a manual T-Case, and the lever hits the bezel when trying to shift past 4-Hi. Not to mention the boot in no way fits with the bezel so far forward.

I have gone to every online dealer I know of, and all of my local Junk-Yards. None of them have a manual T-Case M5OD combo RBV or its associated shift boot/bezel.

So my questions are.
1. Where there M5OD/Manual T-case combos from the factory?

2. If so, where can I buy the shift boot and bezel.

3. Are there other options?

The M5OD swap seems fairly common, so someone has had to solve this problem, but the only threads I found on it were these.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48953&highlight=SHIFT+BOOT
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125381&highlight=SHIFT+BOOT
And no one answered the problem.

Rowdy Fitzgerald · Jun 11, 2012

Just take and unscrew the bezel, leave it in place though. Shift the Tcase into low, center the bezel and screw it back down.

Gacknar · Jun 11, 2012

Rowdy Fitzgerald said:
Just take and unscrew the bezel, leave it in place though. Shift the Tcase into low, center the bezel and screw it back down.

Then I would be unable to shift the transmission into 1st, 3rd or 5the because the bezel would be to far rearward. (Already tried it)

Rowdy Fitzgerald · Jun 11, 2012

Get a pair of tin snips and trim the bezel. Or get the one from the truck you took the trans from if that's a option. The two trans are diff lengths around 2" I think. So that would def mess you up on the shifter patterns. How about getting a peace of sheet metal and building your own?

Gacknar · Jun 11, 2012

Rowdy Fitzgerald said:
Get a pair of tin snips and trim the bezel. Or get the one from the truck you took the trans from if that's a option. The two trans are diff lengths around 2" I think. So that would def mess you up on the shifter patterns. How about getting a peace of sheet metal and building your own?

Donor truck was "Touch-Drive"
And I really want this too look factory if at all possible.

Rowdy Fitzgerald · Jun 11, 2012

Hmm I say start searching wrecking yards and get the 4x4 boot, bezel that fit the M50D then. Or you could try JC Whitey they might cary that stuff!

Gacknar · Jun 11, 2012

Rowdy Fitzgerald said:
Hmm I say start searching wrecking yards and get the 4x4 boot, bezel that fit the M50D then. Or you could try JC Whitey they might cary that stuff!

Gacknar said:
I have gone to every online dealer I know of, and all of my local Junk-Yards. None of them have a manual T-Case M5OD combo RBV or its associated shift boot/bezel.

So my questions are.
1. Where there M5OD/Manual T-case combos from the factory?

Online vendors I have visited include
http://www.summitracing.com
http://www.rockauto.com
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home___
http://www.lmctruck.com/
http://www.jamesduff.com/
http://broncograveyard.com
http://www.jcwhitney.com/
http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/trucks.php
And about 50 other random sites turned up during Google searches.

I cant find it, I cant even confirm it exists.

Rowdy Fitzgerald · Jun 11, 2012

Sorry I didn't go back and re read everything. Try a full size bronco or a f-150 they came with M50Dr2's (which is a bigger version of the M5OD)and had some manual t-cases.

Gacknar · Jun 11, 2012

Rowdy Fitzgerald said:
Sorry I didn't go back and re read everything. Try a full size bronco or a f-150 they came with M50Dr2's (which is a bigger version of the M5OD)and had some manual t-cases.

Unfortunately, wont work. At least not from an 80-96 truck.

80-86 Bronco/F-Series did not use a bezel at all. The carpet or mat held the shift boots to the floor plate. 87-96 trucks had the T-Case shifter literally.. coming out the side of the transmission tunnel.

I do have a 76 F-100 as a donor for the SAS I am going to do on my FSB, and it is Manual/Manual.....
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/4103/60445
But I do believe the bezels are separate and rather small ovals, but I don't remember. I'll check but I am 90% sure they wont work without showing off holes in the carpet, and I cant tell from the pics.

4x4junkie · Jun 11, 2012

M5OD/Man.T-case trucks would all be between '90-'97 for Rangers ('88-'97 for 2.3L), '91-'94 for Explorers. Unfortunately they are not real common (as is also the case with the manual-shift 1354 itself and manual D35 hubs), but they are out there.
You might be able to better your odds by searching for yards that have a manual-shift 1354 t-case available (would be the same for your 1350), then call them and ask if they also have the interior parts from the same truck available.

FWIW, I built a bezel for mine out of strip steel, reusing the rubber boots. I attached the boots with tiny pieces of angle steel and 2-56 screws on the inside (sorry I don't have any pics of the inside, though you can see some of the screws along the edge).

I think that pic was taken before I re-worked it for a M5OD swap, however it still looks the same other than there's a bit more of the steel plate showing in front of the transmission shifter.

Elutheros · Jun 11, 2012

I just did this to my Bronco II--had to take the old bezel and the new one and match them up to make the cut out required for the manual TC shifter. Used an air cutoff tool to make the cuts on the M50D bezel. I used the rubber seal from the M50D and an extra rear floor mat to make the cover and keep the noise underneath. You can see how much farther forward the M50D shifter sits in relation to the TC handle.

chrwilkins30 · Jun 11, 2012

You need a different bezel trim. I'm having same issue with mine after the 1354 swap and the bezel I have will not work. The one junkie has is the one I have and it will not work. The one you need allows the tcase shifter to fully engage into 4lo. Click the link and post 86 is the bezel you will need. As you can see the two are offset to allow engagement.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70897&page=6

Gacknar · Jun 12, 2012

Thank you all.

After looking at the link chrwilkins30 and seeing what the correct bezel looks like I have decided to try and fabricate one from either aluminum or stainless.

Even if I had that bezel since I already cut the carpet it would show a hole in front of the T-Case shifter. I could patch it, but patching only goes so far. Between that and the time I would have to spend to find this rare bezel I might as well "Try" and make one.

I appreciate your help and will let you know what I end up with :yahoo:

Rowdy Fitzgerald · Jun 12, 2012

Good luck!

adsm08 · Jun 12, 2012

Elutheros said:
I just did this to my Bronco II--had to take the old bezel and the new one and match them up to make the cut out required for the manual TC shifter. Used an air cutoff tool to make the cuts on the M50D bezel. I used the rubber seal from the M50D and an extra rear floor mat to make the cover and keep the noise underneath. You can see how much farther forward the M50D shifter sits in relation to the TC handle.

That doesn't look half bad. Maybe make some nice wood trim pieces out of base-board mouldings and that would look pretty slick.

:icon_welder:

I think I have an idea.

FM146 to M5OD-R1 shifter boot/bezel question.

Well-Known Member

Hog hunter

Well-Known Member

Hog hunter

Well-Known Member

Hog hunter

Well-Known Member

Hog hunter

Well-Known Member

Forum Staff Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Hog hunter

Senior Master Grease Monkey

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Vagabond Video

25th Anniversary Merch

Follow TRS On Instagram

25th Anniversary Sponsors

TRS-3 Ford Ranger Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals