AllanD's Transmission & Transfer Case Guide

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Ranger Buyers Guide

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:

'83-87 2wd Rangers and Aerostars (all engines) with Manual trans will be either a 4sp or 5sp "Toyo-Koygo" transmission. (Note: Aerostar 5sp only)

'83-84 4x4 Rangers/Bronco2's (all engines) with Manual trans will be either a 4sp or 5sp "Toyo-Koygo" transmission.

'85-87 4x4 (any engine) can be EITHER a Toyo-Koygo 5sp (aka "T-K" or "Ranger-5") OR it can be a Mitsubishi FM145 5sp manual (this trans is 4x4 ONLY)

T-K's are more likely to be found in 4cyl 4x4 Rangers, Bronco2's are more likely to be Mitsubishi FM145's

'88-92 Rangers(4x4)/Bronco2(4x4 & 2wd) 2.9 engine can be

1)Mitsubishi FM146 (2.9 4x4 ONLY)

2)Mazda M5OD-R1 (4x4 version)

'88-92 Rangers 2wd equipped with the 2.9 engine there were both

1)Mazda built M5OD-R1 (2wd Version)

2)Mitsubishi FM132 (2.9 2wd ONLY)

'88-current production Rangers with 4cyl engines both 2wd and 4x4 (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 trans 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.

'91-current Rangers with the 3.0 engine:

The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual trans used in Rangers with this engine.

'91-2000 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 ('97-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 4x4 type transmissions, because the 2wd bronco2'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:

'83-85 - 4x4 Rangers/Bronco2(2wd also) with NON-OVERDRIVE Automatic transmission will be a C-5

'83-85 - Ranger 2wd automatic will be a C3.

'85-94 - Rangers/Bronco2/Explorer 2wd & 4x4 with OVERDRIVE will be an A4LD

'85-88 - Rangers with NON-overdrive automatic trans (essentially 2.0 carb engine ONLY) will be a C-3

'85-94 - Aerostar's (all engines) will be equipped with the A4LD trans

'89-94 - 2wd & 4x4 Rangers/Bronco2/Explorer will be equipped with the A4LD Overdrive automatic trans with the exception of SOME '88-90 special-ordered fleet vehicles with 2.0 engines that will have C3 automatics.

'95-01 - Rangers (2.3/2.5) will have the 4R44E trans.

'95-01 - 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:

'83-'89 - The Borg Warner 13-50 part time 4wd T-case

'89-'92 - 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 ('83-85) or a "flat" flange ('86-91).

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" lift kit)

ALL 4.0 equipped Rangers used ONLY the 13-54 T-case

All 1993 and later Rangers (all engines) and Explorers ('91-94) used the B-W 13-54.

'95-01 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 '00-on Ford used a larger diameter Flange on the rear T-case output. This larger flange is the same diameter as the '90-up axle flange and and this affects the ease with which you can swap in a particular one-piece driveshaft...