i got a 03 4x4 and was wondering if it would be easier to just buy a donor truck and swap the tranny instead of buying all the parts seperate has anyone done this on a 03

 

Welcome to the forum

By 2003 the Automatics and Manuals had different wiring harness's
Up to 2001/02 All Rangers used Manual wiring harness and the Automatic wires were a separate harness that plug into it, it made conversions easier
Also different Engine computers

You will want a 2003 Ford Ranger "Wiring Diagram" book from Ford, these were sent out to every Ford Dealer Shop in 2002/3 so they could trouble shoot wiring on a 2003 Ranger
It was part of shop manual set but often sold separately, set seen here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/232557174162
Just the wiring diagram book here: https://www.ebay.com/p/24026721690

This book covers all wiring for all 2003 Ranger models, 2WD, 4WD, Manual and automatic and all options available
So not bad to have even if you don't do the swap

To do the swap you need an M5OD-R1 manual transmission from a 4x4 Ranger and with the SAME ENGINE as you have now
Can't use a 2wd transmission or from a different size engine
Must also be from a 2001 to 2011 Ranger, earlier won't work

You need the Clutch/brake pedal assembly

You need the 2001 - 2003 manual trans computer that matches YOUR engine size, 2wd or 4x4 doesn't matter for this
And at least 1 PATS key for this computer

Steering column is optional but good to get rid of the automatic shifter


You would need to price out the parts separately to see if buying a donor would be reasonable, you could still sell the donor after with your automatic and other parts in the bed, lol, so might be a way to get what you needs for less money

But then look at buying a 2003 Manual trans Ranger and selling your automatic 2003 Ranger, better to have a Factory version

 

okay, thanks for the info i read something about needing a long drive shaft do you know how ill be able to get the correct size for it

 

Uses same drive shafts on a 4x4, because they hook up to transfer case not the transmission

 

It is much easier to buy a donor truck. I had to piece mine together, but was fortunate to find a guy who was willing to swap manual specific parts for my automatic stuff, so it worked out much better than having to source everything locally. Back when I did my swap (2014), the newest Rangers in the junkyard were all 1993 and 1994, which weren't compatible with my truck. You may have better luck sourcing parts locally than I did, it just depends on the junkyard.

I edited some responses to Ron's previous reply to clarify a couple of points.

 

thanks for the help the cars listed your saying there compatable?

 

Your best bet is to get your parts from a 2001-2003. Most of the hard parts like the transmission, driveshaft, clutch pedal assembly, etc are the same from 2001-2011. But things like the computer and some of the wiring harnesses change almost yearly, so that's why it's important to stick close to your year of vehicle to maximize the amount of parts you can use without having to buy multiple parts trucks to get what you need.