First, I have a 91 Ranger XLT 2WD with the 2.3 and a little over 278,000 on the ticker. She's reliable as hell. I mean she starts and goes with no problems at 0°F with a Motorcraft battery. Other than a few minor issues an engine her age and mileage would have, that tiny 2.3 runs flawlessly. She's not a hard worker, I don't buy performance parts for her, I just need her to get me around and occasionally haul a load in the bed (which she has always done without any problems).

Anyway, I'm looking to swap the A4LD out for an M5OD. The A4LD is beginning to exhibit signs of failure, and if I'm going to pull it, I'm going to do it right and replace it with a standard. Believe me, I've done my homework. I've googled and googled ad nauseum on the subject. I know it's not a difficult job, it's something I could easily handle over the course of a weekend, provided I get all my parts beforehand.

The problem I'm having is, all the material I'm finding applies to 4WD Rangers and every other engine other than the 2.3. My questions are as follows:

Which variant of the M5OD should I be on the lookout for, and which vehicles can I pull the parts from?

So far as I'm aware, I should not have to change my driveshaft length, is this true?

And finally, I know I need the tranny, shifter assembly, clutch assembly, ECM and related wiring... Are there any other minor things I should grab or issues I should pay extra attention to?

 

You need manual transmission from a 2.3l 2WD Ranger.
2.3l engines have a unique block/trans bolt pattern
2WD because 4WD have rear tail shaft adapter for transfer case, but not a game ender if 4WD is all you can find, you can get a 2WD adapter for a 4WD trans but that's extra work
M5OD was used in 1988 & Up 4-Cylinder Rangers

First generation Rangers are '83 to '92 so you will probably need to stay between '88 and '92 for the clutch pedal assembly, and computer.
Not sure when 2.3l switched from MAP to MAF sensor, but what ever you have now needs to be the same on donor vehicles computer.

Drive shaft should be the same length for Regular cab, longer for extra cab.
Not sure on the splines but should be the same.

 

When I did the 5-speed swap on my 03, I had to find a driveshaft from a manual truck with an extended cab to match my truck. The 5R44E was longer than the M5OD, so the driveshaft was too short for the M5OD.

The A4LD is a similar transmission to the 4R44E-5R55E, so I would expect the same to be true of your swap.