I have a 98 4.0 4x4 ranger with a manual transmission. The trans made a terrible noise like a throw out bearing, but after inspecting it and changing the throw out bearing the input shaft has a ton of play. I’m thinking of going to pick n pull and looking for a transmission. How do I tell if it’s a good transmission and what other rangers can I use the transmissions from?

 

You can use the M5OD-R1(M5R1) from a 1990 to 2011 Ranger 4.0l or Mazda B4000 4x4 to replace your 1998 M5R1
Must be 4.0l engine and must be from a 4x4

Smell the ATF(automatic transmission fluid), yes these manual transmissions used ATF(Mercon V), if it smells burnt then pass on that one, look for another, you will know

Between 2000 and 2001 Ford changed the shifter so if you get a 2001-2011 M5R1 make sure to get the shifter with it as your 1998 shifter will not work on a 2001 and up M5R1
2001 and up also have an extra bolt hole on bell housing, you just don't use it, lol, the other 6 holes are the same
2001 and up also have an OSS sensor, again you just don't use it because you don't need it

1998 to 2000 Rangers(B4000s) didn't use transmission or transfer case for Speed Signals, which means you can use 1990-2011 M5R1 as replacement, replacements for other years requires more specific year transmissions

Transfer cases were the same in all years, a BW1354, so just bolts to what ever year 4x4 transmission you get