I have 98 ranger 4x4 3.0 m5r1 trans swapping in 97 mountaineer 5.0 AWD auto trans
im wanting to keep it stick shift w a manual shift tcase so iv decided m5r2 but I can only find 2wd versions meaning I have to change the tail housing to extension housing for the tcase wondering if the extension housing and tcase from the r1 will work on r2 without any problem

 

No, won't work

Yes, the V6 4.2l F150 often were not 4WD

They are out there, saw "new" at $900

 

Could I just take off the tail housing off and add the 4x4 tail housing and it work? Or is it more to it

 

You have to change to the shorter 4x4 output shaft and there is some disassembly to change the shaft

Not simple