Im a Jeep guy so Rangers are new to me. Ive been shopping for one and I found an 03 that interests me. Its an FX4 with manual (M5OD-R1). Im curious about how reliable and strong this tranny is. I dont see many manuals in the later years. Is that because they arent popular or is it because they are junk? I did some searching here and thee does seem to be a number of small issues with the M5ODs, that may be because they go so far back though. Along these same lines, what automatic is in the 03s with 4.0? Im finding that its either the 5R44E or the 5R55E, which is it and is it a good tranny? If you didnt have a driving preference between auto or manual, which would you choose for reliability and durability? (I know, loaded question, sorry)
Im also not real familiar with the FX4 package verses the FX4/LII package. What does the LII have that the standard FX4 is missing? Ive done some research on this as well but I get conflicting info concerning the Torsen and the 4.10 gears, 9 or 10" brakes, 28 or 31 spline?

 

5R55E is the auto behind the 4.0L 4x4. its the auto tranny. its a good tranny as long as you keep water out of it. lol i have beat the crap out of mine without issues.

I think the manual tranny itself is pretty good, the slave cylinder is junk, people have issues with them, etc...

the Level 2 has the 31 spline 8.8 and the torsen diff. the fx4 has a 28 spline and either an open diff or a limited slip diff. they both have 10" brakes...

 

Thank you. Do you know if both the FX4 and LII have 4.10s or is it just the LII?

 

most of them have 4.10s...

you mine find a few FX4s with 3.73s...

there are a few level2s with 4.56s (not many) and all the others have 4.10s.

 

The Mazda M5ODR1-HD is used behind all 4.0L from 2001-on. It is an OK trans and it has a few beefed up components as compared to the M5ODR1 used in other Ranger powertrains. As mentioned before, the slave cylinder is the weak link with any Ranger with a M5ODR1 or M5ODR1HD.

All 2003+ FX4's (non-LII) have Ford's Traction-Lok limited slip standard. All FX4's have 4.10's only, whether they are LII or not.

Compared to the 2003 FX4, the 2003 FX4 Level II adds a third skid plate up front, stainless tow hooks, forged Alcoa wheels, BFG A/T's, Torsen clutchless L/S differential, 31 spline axle shafts, Bilstein shocks, black interior w/high-bolster bucket seats, all-weather foor mats and black grille, fender flares and valance.