I got myself a new CD/mp3/iPod controller radio on Wednesday. It is a JVC. I wanted something that would controll my iPod (iPhone) and play mp3's. I have a JVC in my daily driver and I like it. Crutchfield had this on sale for $129.99. I also got new 5x7 rear and 4" front speakers. The back was easier than all get out to install. The fronts sucked big time because the screws that hold the grills on were stuck and it was impossible to get to because of the windshield (the speakers are on the top of the dash). I got Kenwood speakers. Since I got it all from Crutchfield, they gave me everything I needed to install everything (radio adapter, radio wiring, speaker wiring harness).

Everything sounds good. I am really impressed with the quality of the stereo system I installed.



Old, factory speakers.



Today I took the first step in the manual transmission swap. I swapped out the automatic brake pedal assembly for a manual transmission brake & clutch pedal assembly. Swapping this one out was easier than swapping the one in my Ranger out (which is surprising since this one wraps up and under the dash). I got it out and swapped in about 1/2 hours.

Removing the old one.


I shot the clutch/brake pedal assembly with a coat of paint because the pedal arms were a little rusty.


Both assemblies together.



I had to cut this little tab off to get it back in the BII. It didn't do nothing but look purty on my truck so it was no harm.



Clutch/Brake pedal assembly installed.




I also got the firewall ready for the clutch master cylinder. It was fairly easy; just remove 2 10mm bolts to get the cover plate off the hole.


This is the cover plate.



Here is the clutch master cylinder, hydraulic line, and reservoir.




My M50D-R1 should be here this week. Next weekend is when the manual transmission swap is taking place. I am excited and can't wait! That will give me 2 weeks to get final bugs worked out before the Dunes.

 

Very nice indeed!

 

Dude i would sell my ranger in a heartbeat and by that thing from you if you werent so far away from me!!!

 

still saving time to meet up right?

 

I probably won't be able to meet up with you next saturday. If you are in Indy on Sunday I could. I will call Gumby this week to see if he can hold onto the rack till the dunes trip for me. I will ship your shifter this week.

 

Dang Mo, this things gonna be completely new by the time you are down with it.

 

wait till after the dunes! The only thing that will be stock will be the frame, engine, body, and interior

 

Im only off friday and saturday next week


I'll PM you my shipping addy

 

Any updates on the Manual Transmission swap?

 

Not really. I loaded it all up on Friday night to get ready to go on Saturday. I had driven the truck all evening after work on Friday. I jump in it to go to my fiance's house and it wouldn't start. I have spent all weekend trouble shooting that problem with no avail.

I replaced the ignition coil, the ignition module, 1 fuel pump, and the fuel filter. I have fuel and spark, and still no start. My brother seems to think it jumped time. I am going to try to time it this afternoon.

If I can't get it running tonight, it is going in the shop tomorrow. I need it back by Friday so I can get the swap done before the Dunes trip. A couple local buddies said they would pull an all nighter Friday night and help with the swap since we are having a big party over the Memorial Day weekend.

 

Good luck man, any word on that T-case?

 

Thanks Mark; no word yet.

I did a few little things yesterday to make the manual transmission swap go a tad faster. I built and installed my new 4.0 starter wiring harness. Since I am installing the M50D, I have to run the 4.0 starter. For it to work on the stock BII starter solenoid, You have to run an extra trigger wire to the starter and have the main starter cable going to the battery. I decided to change how the starter wire ran since in stock form it ran down and under the engine. The new wire runs under the core support and down the driver side frame rail. I used 4AWG power wire and 16AWG trigger wire. I used electrical tape and taped them from end to end to keep them together and keep them from getting nicked.

I have some pictures on my camera that I will post when I get home.

 

Did you ever figure out why it wouldn't start?

 

I never got it to start. I towed it to a shop in town last night so they can work on it. I don't have the time to mess with it this week; that is why I was hoping to get the transmission done this past Saturday. Now if it gets running this week, I am pulling an all nighter with a couple buddies and a cooler of beer on Friday so the transmission gets done. I have way too much stuff going on next weekend to do it on Saturday.

 

sucks about the starting issue. hope everything goes well in the next week.

 

Thanks man. I do also. I would hate to have to back out just cause of this.

 

Yeah hopefully it pans out ok, similar thing happened to me last year with my gear install, long story short i didnt make the dunes trip.

Good Luck.

 

Sounds like its really coming along sweet!

 

Just talked to the shop; it was WAY out of time. I guess the chain jumped a cog.

I guess after the Dunes trip I will be replacing the timing chain.

I guess I will not have to worry about fuel or fire problems for a while since it is a completely new system.

 

Glad its in running condition now!

 

Yea me too. Now I get to pull an all nighter Friday night doing the transmission swap!

 

haha have fun pulling that all nighter. but good its running again how didnt it bend valves or anything important?

 

damn i just read the whole thread, freaking sweet!!

and damn you dont mess around either, 2 shifters.... lucky.

 

In a couple weeks, the truck will be darn near bullit proof with a M50D, a BW1354 manual, an Explorer 8.8, and a Dana 35

 

sickness...