A4LD to FM145 or M5OD
#1
12-08-2018
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
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A4LD to FM145 or M5OD
I have a 1986 2.9 with the A4LD hand grenade behind it. It has the borg Warner manual transfer case. I want to swap a straight into it. I know the M5OD is the superior transmission to the FM145 but I read the FM is the same length as the A4 meaning same drive shafts, crossemember location, etc. However the only FM145 I could get is from pro king as a reman for 1200. Little expensive for a straight drive if you ask me and the junkyard is full of M5OD with electric t cases. I have a couple questions.
1. Computer: I found a computer for a 86 2.9 straight transmission would this work with the M5OD even if they weren’t used yet?
2. T case: Will the manual T case bolt up to the M5OD?
3. Reman FM 145: I’ve heard the stock FM 145 transmission can be spotty on reliability would the remanufactured unit be more reliable?
Thank you
1. Computer: I found a computer for a 86 2.9 straight transmission would this work with the M5OD even if they weren’t used yet?
2. T case: Will the manual T case bolt up to the M5OD?
3. Reman FM 145: I’ve heard the stock FM 145 transmission can be spotty on reliability would the remanufactured unit be more reliable?
Thank you
#2
12-09-2018
1. Yes, 1986 2.9l computer for manual trans will be plug and play with any manual trans used, automatic trans computers just had extra software added for the solenoids in the trans, this software will turn on the CEL(check engine light) if solenoids are not present, but vehicle will still run fine
2. The BW1350 or 1354 transfer case will bolt to any Ranger used 4x4 transmission, manual or electric doesn't type matter
3. Yes the FM series wore out pretty fast, a used M5OD-R1(M5R1) would be better than rebuilt as new FM transmission any day of the week
You can use an M5R1 from a 1990-2012 Ranger 4.0l 4x4, only 2WD 2.9l's used the M5R1, 4.0l OHV or SOHV engines use same bell housing pattern as 2.9l
Your speedometer cable is on transfer case so not a problem to use later year transmissions, but may need a cable extension, or longer speedo cable
If you are considering $1,200 for trans then look at A4LD improvements
A4LD can be built for manual operation but still used as an automatic, you can also setup it to use OD on command, giving you a 6 speed trans, automatics are also better for off roading
A4LD got a bad name from rebuilder's because it was the FIRST OD transmission they ever saw, instead of reading up on it they just guessed the best way to rebuild it and when it came back broke in 6 months they did what all poor mechanics do, blamed the transmission, lol.
A4LD was used until the last Ranger, 2012, as the 4R55E and then the 5R55E, same transmission
Good read here on the A4LD: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml
2. The BW1350 or 1354 transfer case will bolt to any Ranger used 4x4 transmission, manual or electric doesn't type matter
3. Yes the FM series wore out pretty fast, a used M5OD-R1(M5R1) would be better than rebuilt as new FM transmission any day of the week
You can use an M5R1 from a 1990-2012 Ranger 4.0l 4x4, only 2WD 2.9l's used the M5R1, 4.0l OHV or SOHV engines use same bell housing pattern as 2.9l
Your speedometer cable is on transfer case so not a problem to use later year transmissions, but may need a cable extension, or longer speedo cable
If you are considering $1,200 for trans then look at A4LD improvements
A4LD can be built for manual operation but still used as an automatic, you can also setup it to use OD on command, giving you a 6 speed trans, automatics are also better for off roading
A4LD got a bad name from rebuilder's because it was the FIRST OD transmission they ever saw, instead of reading up on it they just guessed the best way to rebuild it and when it came back broke in 6 months they did what all poor mechanics do, blamed the transmission, lol.
A4LD was used until the last Ranger, 2012, as the 4R55E and then the 5R55E, same transmission
Good read here on the A4LD: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml
Last edited by RonD; 12-09-2018 at 01:45 PM.
#3
12-09-2018
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8
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1. Yes, 1986 2.9l computer for manual trans will be plug and play with any manual trans used, automatic trans computers just had extra software added for the solenoids in the trans, this software will turn on the CEL(check engine light) if solenoids are not present, but vehicle will still run fine
2. The BW1350 or 1354 transfer case will bolt to any Ranger used 4x4 transmission, manual or electric doesn't type matter
3. Yes the FM series wore out pretty fast, a used M5OD-R1(M5R1) would be better than rebuilt as new FM transmission any day of the week
You can use an M5R1 from a 1990-2012 Ranger 4.0l 4x4, only 2WD 2.9l's used the M5R1, 4.0l OHV or SOHV engines use same bell housing pattern as 2.9l
Your speedometer cable is on transfer case so not a problem to use later year transmissions, but may need a cable extension, or longer speedo cable
If you are considering $1,200 for trans then look at A4LD improvements
A4LD can be built for manual operation but still used as an automatic, you can also setup it to use OD on command, giving you a 6 speed trans, automatics are also better for off roading
A4LD got a bad name from rebuilder's because it was the FIRST OD transmission they ever saw, instead of reading up on it they just guessed the best way to rebuild it and when it came back broke in 6 months they did what all poor mechanics do, blamed the transmission, lol.
A4LD was used until the last Ranger, 2012, as the 4R55E and then the 5R55E, same transmission
Good read here on the A4LD: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml
2. The BW1350 or 1354 transfer case will bolt to any Ranger used 4x4 transmission, manual or electric doesn't type matter
3. Yes the FM series wore out pretty fast, a used M5OD-R1(M5R1) would be better than rebuilt as new FM transmission any day of the week
You can use an M5R1 from a 1990-2012 Ranger 4.0l 4x4, only 2WD 2.9l's used the M5R1, 4.0l OHV or SOHV engines use same bell housing pattern as 2.9l
Your speedometer cable is on transfer case so not a problem to use later year transmissions, but may need a cable extension, or longer speedo cable
If you are considering $1,200 for trans then look at A4LD improvements
A4LD can be built for manual operation but still used as an automatic, you can also setup it to use OD on command, giving you a 6 speed trans, automatics are also better for off roading
A4LD got a bad name from rebuilder's because it was the FIRST OD transmission they ever saw, instead of reading up on it they just guessed the best way to rebuild it and when it came back broke in 6 months they did what all poor mechanics do, blamed the transmission, lol.
A4LD was used until the last Ranger, 2012, as the 4R55E and then the 5R55E, same transmission
Good read here on the A4LD: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml
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