Which M5OD? Please Confirm

[rusty ol ranger]

M5OD.

Toyo Koygo 5.

Mitsubishi (with T case attached).

 

[RonD]

The M5OD is a top loader style, so no pan at the bottom, yes bell housing is part of the main case so not detachable

Mitsubishi FM146 was used on 1988-1992 4x4 2.9l Rangers

You could have an M5OD-R1 in any 2.9l 4x4(or 2.8l) but it would have been swapped in by a previous owner, from a 4.0l 4x4 Ranger
This was a popular change if the FM145/146 or TKs broke down

Finding a factory 2.9l with M5OD-R1 4x4 in 1990-1992 Ranger would certainly be possible since that transmission was available at the Ford assembly plants, and maybe the stats from Ford are wrong, wouldn't be the first time, or last, lol

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I'm currently searching for an M5OD 4x4 for my single cab 85 2.8 Ranger. As I have been researching I see that the best option is the M5OD that was behind any 2.9 ranger. This is a stronger transmission with lower gears 1st-3rd than a 4.0l M5OD. Also it looks like the 2.9 M5OD paired with a 4.0 flywheel and clutch is the best setup behind my 2.8l. Can anyone give their opinion on this setup?

Out of curiosity is your current trans toast?

Assuming you have a TK, youre gonna have a pretty hard time killing it with a 2.8 unless you beat it pretty hard.

 

[bbbc3]

Out of curiosity is your current trans toast?

Assuming you have a TK, youre gonna have a pretty hard time killing it with a 2.8 unless you beat it pretty hard.

I pulled my trans to fix a rear main leak and realized the leak seems to be coming from the transmission. However, I have a 4sp now and want a 5 speed. Now would be the time to upgrade.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I pulled my trans to fix a rear main leak and realized the leak seems to be coming from the transmission. However, I have a 4sp now and want a 5 speed. Now would be the time to upgrade.

Ah gotcha.

 

[turbo91xlt]

I got lucky & recently acquired a 2.9 4wd m5od out of a '88 2wd Bronco 2 to replace the blown m5od in my '91 4.0 extended cab STX. So they do exist.. 4.0L + low 1st gear + 4L + 4.10s should make for a nice torquey setup

Blown 4.0 m5od, all teeth sheared off the input shaft....

 

[bbbc3]

Well I scored an M5OD from a ‘90 2.9l. Now next question.. how important is the engine block plate? I can’t seem to find them for sale anywhere.

 

[adsm08]

Well I scored an M5OD from a ‘90 2.9l. Now next question.. how important is the engine block plate? I can’t seem to find them for sale anywhere.

Just shy of critical. Ford uses them to locate the starter properly. Without it you will have a hard time getting the starter set in the right place and will probably have engagement issues.

 

[lvwill]

Most parts guys can't find them even if they are in stock. Try asking for a "starter index plate". For some reason they have no clue what it is.

 

[bbbc3]

Yeah I’m not sure why this simple piece of sheet metal isn’t available for purchase. I can’t find one anywhere!

 

[adsm08]

Yeah I’m not sure why this simple piece of sheet metal isn’t available for purchase. I can’t find one anywhere!

I'm pretty sure the aftermarket never made them.

A few years ago they were still available new from Ford, and they weren't terribly expensive. They were probably never reproduced because they aren't supposed to be a wear item, thus low demand.

 

[fastpakr]

Seems like the kind of thing someone could sketch up, post, and DIY.

 

[turbo91xlt]

May have one from a 4.0 SOHC. Idk if its the same as a 4.0 OHV but the transmissions interchange..

 

[Josh B]

I thought seeing somewhere that the OBD1 would not interchange with the OBD2 models?

 

[4x4junkie]

Politely disagree, God. My 1990 was a factory 2.9 4x4 M5OD. Surprise me as well.

Yep.
The M5OD under my BII came from a 1990 Supercab 2.9L 4x4. It has the 3.72:1 first gear (yes I checked).

AFAIK 1990 models produced after 11-'89 were the only ones to get a M5OD behind the 2.9L on a 4x4 (this is also the same time at which the 4.0L/M5OD was introduced). All other 4x4 2.9s got the Mitsubishi trans (my '90 BII was mfg'd 9-'89, so it came with the FM146).

I have a feeling what happened is the M5OD having greater frictional losses ended up sapping more power/MPG from the 2.9L than Ford wanted, so they switched back to the FM146 the following year (indeed I did notice about a 1 MPG loss after i swapped my M5OD in). Another possible is the M5OD's more truck-like shifting might've generated too many complaints from consumers. These are just hypotheses.

The 2.9L 4x4 M5OD is a rare trans, but it definitely does exist.

I thought seeing somewhere that the OBD1 would not interchange with the OBD2 models?

The change to OBDII was on '95-'96 models, where there were no changes to the bellhousing pattern (the SOHC version simply adds an additional bolt position that doesn't necessarily need to be used if there's no provision for it). Should not matter.