Hi, brand new to the forum & just purchased a 2001 xlt 3.0 4x4 with no 5 speed manual transmission in the truck. I do have the BW transfer case and the drive shafts. I do also have the cross member. I have no idea what transmission goes in the truck. I did a little research on Rangers and trannys but it is a little confusing. I think I need a Mazda tranny but not sure about the M5R1M50D call out. It appears that there are (2) trannys that are similar but one will work and one will not. A little help for a newbie would be appreciated.

 

Im looking for the same thing there is an M50D-R1 and M50D-R1HD i know for sure the HD was designed for the 4.0l slightly different gearing and the regular R1 is for the 4 cylinder and 3.0l all the bell housings are different so you really need a R1 to fit factory but i have heard the HD can be made to fit if you really want it. Im waiting to get some info on what year ranges work everyone i have talked to lists different year ranges on their parts its really confusing!

 

If you Google it and spend a little time researching there are quite a few good sites that can tell you what was originally in it. Or call your local Ford dealer. The trannies are an odd mix for some reason, took me a while to get used to that.
Welcome BTW.

 

Well I got a transmission for the 3.0 4x4 it came out of a 99' everything worked well unitl I got to the VSS, a 99' does not utilize VSS. The casting boss is on the transmission, but there is no tapped hole for a sensor. Which means even if you get the correct transmission which should be a M50DR1 for the 3.0 4x4, it also needs by year to have a VSS plug. 01' & above? Do they all utilize VSS sensors? I need to find out. Lot's of info on early model transmissions but not a lot on the later models. Short of looking at the trans how do you tell, the difference?