Hey guys I am getting ready to pickup a explorer 5.0 to put in my truck and I am just wondering since I have a 00 ranger and have the M50DR1 transmission from what I am told I have heard that I can use a M50DR2 transmission from a 4.2L F-150 4x2 and it will keep my shifter in the same location in the floor and has the same bolt pattern as the 5.0 so it will bolt right up. Does anyone have any info on this? If this will work then this is what I want to do. Just getting others feedback on this before I start spending money on something that may not work lol. Also what about the shifter? Will the rangers shifter fit the F-150 transmission because I have a HURST in my ranger and would REALLY love to keep it lol. Thanks!

 

T-5...

 

Thanks but that did not answer my question

 

Jason you can use a t-5 out of a mustang. It's what D uses in his truck. It will also allow you to use a short throw shifter. It'll probably be cheaper and easier to find also and its VERY durable.

 

Thanks but will it bolt right up on my rangers transmission X-member and will it let me keep the shifter right on the stock rangers hole in the floor? I just don't want to cut a new hole in the floor and am looking to get something that will line up perfectly with the rangers hole. Will my HURST shifter work on the mustangs T-5? I need to keep the overall length of the stick the same since it is a truck so I wont have to reach to the floor to shift lol.

 

If cost is no object, get a Tremec. It has three optional shift position kits, one of which should get you close to the factory Ranger location. 5.0 pattern bellhousings are readily available.

A T5 from a 5.0 Mustang will move the shifter rearward to area of the tailshaft housing - probably something like 8~10" from where it is now in your Ranger.

Probably the cheapest/easiest way to get a 5.0 compatible manual trans is to locate a M5ODR2. Rumor has it that the best M5ODR2 for a Ranger is from a 97~2003 F150 with a 4.2 V6. It has the 5.0 bellhousing bolt pattern and is supposed to have a Ranger compatible shifter position. I'm not a big fan of this transmission but, if you're happy with your current Ranger R1 trans, the R2 is more of the same.

 

This is exactly what im looking for like we have talked about on RPS but I wanted to see if anyone was running one or was sure it would work since you said you didn't know for sure lol. I would love to keep the stock ranger shifting point and have it all bolt up right. That would make me a very happy man

And Bob, why do you say you aren't a big fan of that transmission? Its not a bad one is it? From what I have seen those 4.2L F-150 manuals tranny's are pretty tough. Just wanting to know your thougts.

 

The M5ODR2 is a bigger, stronger version of the Ranger's M5ODR1 manual transmission. Both are made by Mazda and use a similar design. The R2 box is strong enough for a 5.0L but it isn't the smoothest shifting transmission ever made. However, the worst "feature" of the R2 is the plastic hydraulic slave cylinder which can sometimes fail without warning, just like the R1.

Like I said, if you're happy with the Ranger gearbox, the R2 is pretty much the same package, just beefed up in every dimension for a higher torque application.

When I did my 5.0 swap, I researched all of this and I just couldn't come up with a manual package that was what I wanted (the Tremec setup would have been ideal EXCEPT for the $2000 price tag). So, even though I would have prefered a manual transmission, I ended up going with the Explorer automatic. It cost me $99 and works fine - but it's still a slushbox, LOL.

 

Yeah i too thought about going all manual cause it would just be sweet. But i went for what Bob and others had been saying about the 4R70W, and its very strong. But if your going the manual route and want to get it close to what you have now after the swap,the R2 is gona be your best bet.

 

Sweet *** i am going to start lookin for one to hook up to the 5.0! Thanks guys!

 

OH! I forgot I still haven't found out, do any of you guys know if the M50DR2 transmission will use the rangers shifter stick? I don't see why it wouldn't since it is practically the same transmission. Just didn't know cause all the ones I am finding don't come with the shifter itself. Also I would love to keep my HURST short shifter and if the rangers shifter will work then my HURST will work and that is my goal! Haha

 

I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression. The R2 and R1 are very similar designs but I doubt that many, if any, parts interchange. Almost everything about the R2 is made to a larger scale for a group of engines with more displacement and torque. The R2 takes a different Hurst shift kit than the R1.

 

So they make a HURST for the F-150? I am going to look right now cause I love mine and want to keep one for sure! And thanks for clearing that up cause I thought it was basically the same except for some tweaks lol.