The difference between a 4X4 manual trans and a 2WD manual trans
 

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what the difference is between a 2004 4X4 manual transmission that's bolted to a 4.0 SOHC and a 2004 2WD manual transmission bolted to the same engine other than the fact that the 4X4 has a transfer case bolted to it.

I just need to know if I can use a 4X4 manual trans in my 2WD after removing the transfer case and installing a tail shaft housing or will I just need to buy another manual transmission for my truck?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

You will have to swap the 4x4 output shaft for a 4x2 output shaft. Unfortunately that requires a complete rebuild of the transmission.

Well, that doesn't sound good. There's no way I'm paying $900 to have a perfect transmission rebuilt just to swap the output shaft.(Wouldn't it be possible to make the 4X4 drive shaft longer so it would fit onto the output shaft?)
I think that I need to see some pics of a 4X4 manual trans and a 2WD manual trans to fully understand what you're talking about.
If I'm not able to find a 2WD manual tranmission from a 4.0 SOHC could I use one from a 3.0 after swapping out the bellhousings?
I know it's not good to do this with an auto trans because the 3.0 auto isn't as tough as the 4.0 auto but is it the same deal with a manual transmission?

Not possible. You would have an open end to the transmission if you tried that. You need a transfer case bolted to the end of a 4x4 tranny.


Not possible. The bellhousing isn't removable on these transmissions.


As said above it won't work anyway so no need to worry about strength.

Your best bet is going to be to find a rebuilt 4x2 4.0 M5OD-R1 or have a shop rebuild yours.

What happened anyway? Your trans go out or something else?

Ok, It sounds like I'll be buying a 4x2 4.0 M5OD-R1 from a salvage yard. I know that's a pretty rare transmission, because there aren't many 2WD Rangers with the 4.0 SOHC and 5-speed manual transmission. If I have to have one shipped all the way from Cali, I guess that's what I'll do.
Well, here's the deal, I've been looking for a 2004-2006 doner truck with a 4.0 SOHC and I've found two so far, but they're both 4X4s and they have the manual transmission. I didn't plan on converting to a manual from a auto, but here's my chance.
I could actually convert it to a 4X4 too, but that's way too much work, and I would have to swap the frames out too, because I don't have a torsion bar frame.
I guess I could install the transfer case, but that would be pretty stupid and it wouldn't be very practical if I'm not going to be using it, and I would also need to weld a bracket onto the frame for the t-case.

just run the 4x4 tranny with the transfer case and do a solid axle swap down the road

I like the ideal of doing a SAS, but I would need to get a 3" lift kit for my truck if I did that.
How hard is it to do a SAS? Do you have any pics of your swap?

Ok, the member on here that's doing the 5.0 conversion plans on sticking with a manual trans.
(One heck of a job it'll be but I admire them for doing it)
I know I can't use his manual trans, but could I use his flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, slave cylinder and presure plate?
And how many other parts will I need besides the clutch pedal and shifter?

Ok, Some of you Automotive Technicians might think this is a noob question, but I got to know.
Is there any wires that run from the ECM/PCM to a manual transmission, since it is a "manual" transmission I don't know why there would be.
I'm assuming there might be a speed sensor or a heat sensor, but obviously it's not electronically controlled.

If its a 2wd you will have a speed sensor, and then just the reverse light switch.

Would I be able to use the PCM from the 4X4? Where is the speed sensor hooked up at on a 4X4?

On a 4wd the VSS is attached in the transfer case.

Thanks for answering my questions Paul.
I think I'm going to stick with my automatic transmission. I'm just running into too many problems convering over to a manual trans. I don't thing I really want a manual trans in my DD anyway.

You would have to do a lot of custom welding...it would be pretty costly but awesome. I didnt do a sas, i just did a 4wd swap (IFS). I had the torsion bar front suspension though so it makes it a direct bolt in to put in the 4wd in my truck.

Yeah, I'm thinking about putting my cab on the doner truck because that's pretty much the only thing damaged on the wrecked truck.(It was rolled) I just don't know how much more gas the 4X4 would burn.

That would be pretty cool, if i had to guess, id say that you would lose 2-3 mpgs going from 2wd to 4wd. For me, living in Ohio, the benifits of a 4wd would seem to outweigh the mpg loss in my opinion.

Concerning the OP's truck this is absolutely incorrect! The speed sensor is located in the tranny on all 98+ auto transmissions and in the transmission tailhousing on all 98+ manuals.

actually, you are absolutely incorrect as well. According to my haynes manual, In all 98+ rangers, the PCM gets its speed information from the ABS sensor in the differential. There is no VSS in the tranny OR transfer case.

I just made an assumption cause my truck is a '97. apologies.

You're somewhat right. The 98-2000 Rangers do in fact read the speed form the rearend. My statement is correct for 2001+ Rangers.

Well, This is kinda confusing ... but if there really is no VSS in the tranny OR transfer case that means I can use the ECM/PCM from the 4X4 truck meaning I can convert over to a manual transmission like I had originally planned.

I asked this question a few days ago but I guess no one seen it.

I know I can't use a 4X4 manual trans, but could I use the flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, slave cylinder and presure plate from the 4X4 tranny?
And how many other parts will I need besides the clutch pedal and shifter?

Someone also said I need to be looking for a M5OD-R1 2WD manual trans but I went on car-part.com, and they have three different transmissions listed ID lL54-GB, ID 1l54-GB and F87A-EA.

I also discovered that I'm lot just limited a Ranger transmission, I found out that I can also use a 2WD manul transmission from an Explorer Sport. But I would like to know which one is the toughest transmission out of all 3.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated,

Brian

I don't want to sound rude here, but I need info on 98+ manual transmissions not auto transmissions.

Bump

I don't mean to sound rude either, but did you even read the post?

just look for any 2wd M5OD transmission, as long as it has the same engine as your truck. (i think the bellhousing pattern is the same as the old OHV 4.0 as well....some one confirm or correct please). Yes, the sport tracs come with the same engine as rangers, so the trans is interchangeable. I think all sport tracs are 4wd though?