Hello All!

My teenage son has a 93 with the a4ld automatic. The transmission went out and I'm looking at a donor truck to change over to a manual. Has anyone done this conversion before? Any input would be great. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, been done before

You need an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmission from a MATCHING ENGINE
2.3l, 3.0l and 4.0l engines each needed/used a different M5R1 trans, bell housings can not be swapped on these.
Also flywheel from that engine size and starter motor
Transmission also needs to match 2WD or 4x4, they had different tailshafts

If 2WD the M5R1 needs to be 1997 or earlier to have speedometer cable hook up

You need the clutch brake pedal setup from similar year, and the clutch pedal switch

Rear drive line, regular or extended cab to match what you have
4x4 may also need front drive line

There will be a plate in the floor that can be removed for shifter, get manual trucks floor plate if possible, but you can cut existing floor plate as well

Steering column from manual Ranger to get rid of column shifter, this is optional, strictly looks

Manual trans just has Backup Light hookup, 2 wires, so you need the correct connector and can then splice the existing wires on the automatics NSS switch.

Speedometer cable and VSS(vehicle speed sensor) will fit into manual trans if 2WD but you may need to change the gear for correct speed calibration, if 4x4 then these are on transfer case so no changes.

The computer.............automatics had computer control so computer will "look for" shift solenoids on start up, and they will not be there, so computer will turn on CEL(check engine light) and flash OD light, when engine is on.
Getting a manual trans computer for 1993 Ranger matching engine size and engine options would be best




The A4LD was used in Rangers from 1985 until 2012, end of production
It had more solenoids added in 1995 and was renamed 4R44E, then a computer software update added a "faux" 2nd gear, and it was renamed 5R44E
But it was always the same A4LD internally

The A4LD got a bad rap by being the first automatic with Over Drive(OD), and transmission shops had never worked on an OD automatic before, so they would rebuild it wrong and then instead of saying "oops, I did it wrong" they would say "it is a bad design", lol, "poor workman always blames his tools"
All car makers made bad transmissions and engines, but once they "know" it is a bad design they stop making it, Ford made the A4LD for 27 years, so it was a good transmission overall

You can read up on the A4LD here: Ford Ranger A4LD Automatic Transmission

 

I am swapping my 93 and this is the only info I can find.. You really seem to know what you're talking about so would you be able to tell me when I start pulling parts from a donor what is the bare minimum I need for no engine lights and problem free start up and driving...

 

There are many posts on this...
To keep the CEL off, you would need the computer from the manual truck, and that would also mean changing the engines wires harness.


Ron mentioned in other posts, that in the end it would be easier to sell the auto and simply get a manual.

To the OP, it's so much work to change it out, it would be simpler to get a good auto trans from a wrecked truck that was working well.

 

sorry to revive an old thread, but I’m wondering if this would work in a ‘93 4x4, and how much more work I’d be looking at. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, it would work on any year Ranger

You would need an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmission that matches YOUR engine size, 2.3l, 3.0l or 4.0l, and from a 4x4, but you can use 1990-2011 4x4 M5R1 because your speedometer hookup is on transfer case, which you will still use with the manual

You will need the clutch pedal assembly, floor plate and shifter boot

You can use existing computer but will want to find a 1993 manual trans computer matching your engine size, 2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter to the engine computer

 

So if I was to swap just the transmission to a manual and not the computer would I see any problems other than the CEL.

 

Depends on the year but yes, just the CEL comes on, idle might be a bit high or hunt a bit after warm up
You need to jump neutral switch on automatic trans wiring to get starter motor to work, but depends on year where best to do that

 

in regards to a 94 ranger going from auto to manual do you have any information on what wires to splice together on the automatic harness?

 

So I am manual swapping my 96 ranger 4.0 2wd extended cab will I be able to use my drive shaft from my automatic? Also do I need to get a master cylinder or will it run off of my brakemaster any more info that I could be forgetting or that I need to know would be greatly appreciated

 

Yes you will need a manual trans drive shaft from an extended cab 2WD, 1993-2011, rear axle hookup is the same

You need a Clutch master cylinder
Brake systems are the same for manual or automatic, so no work on that is needed, except for changing pedal assembly

 

does it matter if the drive shaft comes from a 4cyl manual or does have to come from a 4.0 truck also is the crossmember the same also one last question why do I need the clutch switch

 

So when I pulled my automatic fly wheel it had a crankshaft spacer do I still need to use this with the manual flywheel aswell?

 

No, automatics use a Flexplate and that needs a spacer because its thinner
Manuals use a Flywheel which is thicker so no spacer needed

 

my 96 3.0 auto truck doesnt have a spacer between crank and flexplate. Does it need one?

 

Try part number F4DZ-6A366-AA

Called a spacer and also reinforcement plate, 1995-2003 3.0l, so may be between flexplate and torque converter

 

that makes me feel better it does have the one between flexplate and converter just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing one for between crank and flexplate.