NOTE: This page is old, and probable doesn’t cover and Ranger newer than 2001.
Also check out our Manual Transmission Page and Automatic Transmission Page
NOTE: Remember that if you bought your truck used it is at least possible that the trans is NOT the original type of transmission!
Ford’s use of Manual Transmissions in the Ranger, Bronco II, Aerostar and Explorer:
1983-1987 2wd Rangers and Aerostars (all engines) with Manual transmissions will be either a 4-speed or 5-speed “Toyo-Koygo” transmission. (Note: Aerostar 5-speed only)
1983-1984 4×4 Rangers / Bronco II’s (all engines) with Manual trans will be either a 4-speed or 5-speed “Toyo-Koygo” transmission.
1985-1987 4×4 (any engine) can be EITHER a Toyo-Koygo 5-speed (aka “T-K” or “Ranger-5”) OR it can be a Mitsubishi FM145 5-speed manual (this transmission is 4×4 ONLY)
T-K’s are more likely to be found in 4-cylinder 4×4 Rangers, Bronco II’s are more likely to be Mitsubishi FM145’s
1988-1992 Rangers (4×4) / Bronco II (4×4 & 2wd) 2.9L engine can be
1) Mitsubishi FM146 (2.9 4×4 ONLY)
2) Mazda M5OD-R1 (4×4 version)
1988-1992 Rangers 2wd equipped with the 2.9L engine there were both
1) Mazda built M5OD-R1 (2wd Version)
2) Mitsubishi FM132 (2.9L 2wd ONLY)
1988-current production Rangers with 4-cylinder engines both 2wd and 4×4 (including the 2.0 (carb), 2.3, 2.5 and (new) 2.3 DOHC will be a Mazda M5OD-R1. This is the only manual transmission factory installed behind four-cylinder engines in Rangers after the beginning of the 1988 model year.
’88-95 Aerostars with manual transmissions will have Mazda M5OD-R1 transmissions.
1991-current Rangers with the 3.0 engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual trans used in Rangers with this engine.
1991-2000 Ranger / Explorer with the 4.0 OHV engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual trans used in Ranger / Explorer with this engine.
2001-on Ranger (1997-on in Explorers with the 4.0 SOHC engine):
the Mazda M5OD-R1HD is the only manual trans used in Rangers/Explorer with this engine.
NOTE: On Bronco II’s ALL versions are equipped with 4×4 type transmissions, because the 2wd bronco II’s use a “dummy” transfer case. I don’t know why for did it this way, but that’s the way they did it. (though there is as with all things an exception, SOME late production 1990 B2’s used a 2wd transmission with a BOLTED On flat flange and a longer driveshaft)
Ford’s use of Automatic Transmissions in the Ranger, Bronco II and Explorer:
1983-1985 – 4×4 Rangers / Bronco II (2wd also) with NON-OVERDRIVE Automatic transmission will be a C-5
1983-1985 – Ranger 2wd automatic will be a C3.
1985-1994 – Rangers / Bronco II / Explorer 2wd & 4×4 with OVERDRIVE will be an A4LD
1985-1988 – Rangers with NON-overdrive automatic trans (essentially 2.0 carb engine ONLY) will be a C-3
1985-1994 – Aerostar’s (all engines) will be equipped with the A4LD trans
1989-1994 – 2wd & 4×4 Rangers / Bronco II /Explorer will be equipped with the A4LD Overdrive automatic trans with the exception of SOME 1988-1990 special-ordered fleet vehicles with 2.0 engines that will have C3 automatics.
1995-2001 – Rangers (2.3/2.5) will have the 4R44E trans.
1995-2001 – Rangers and Explorers with the 4.0OHV or SOHC will have the 4R55E trans standard Some trucks were also equipped with the 5R55E (5speed automatic)
Transfer Cases:
1983-1989 – The Borg Warner 13-50 part time 4wd T-case
1989-1992 – some models were equipped with the 13-50 T-case and others were equipped with the Newer & Stronger B-W 13-54.
The 13-50 was made in several variations, but these were limited to Electronic or manual shifted versions, and several output flange connection variations.
The rear output flange was either a “half-moon” yoke (1983-1985) or a “flat” flange (1986-1991).
The front output flange is either a slip yoke (almost all) or a bolted-on “halfmoon” yoke (Ranger STX models with the “Highrider” factory 2-inch lift kit)
ALL 4.0 equipped Rangers used ONLY the 13-54 T-case
All 1993 and later Rangers (all engines) and Explorers (1991-1994) used the B-W 13-54.
1995-2001 Explorers (except the 5.0) used one of two distinct versions of the Borg-Warner 44-05 T-case (not to be confused with the similar 44-04 that is unique to the 5.0 AWD Explorers)
But one thing that MUST be discussed (for the benefit of supercab owners) is that 2000-on Ford used a larger diameter Flange on the rear T-case output. This larger flange is the same diameter as the 1990-up axle flange and this affects the ease with which you can swap in a particular one-piece driveshaft…