Does anyone know if the heavy dudy variant M5OD R2 transmission (that is most commonly found in the f-150) works in the Ranger? I use my ranger for plowing and I would like to upgrade the drive train without spending 3-400 on a heavy duty off road clutch.

 

Nope. Won't bolt up. Bellhouse pattern is different

 

If you did a 5.0l V8 swap it would work.

But as said above the M5OD R1 and R2 have integrated bell housings and Ford never had an R2 with a 4.0l, so no bolt pattern match up

 

So a m5od-r2 bolt right up to a 302?

 

yes

 

ok thanks! currently doing all the research for a 302 swap in my 91, any advice is greatly apprecated

 

M5OD-R2 should be from a 1997-2004 4.2 V6 engine and 2WD or 4x4 as needed
If 4x4 then also get transfer case with it, Rangers BW1350 or 1354 won't fit R2, and no adapters available

1997-2004 F-150s used 4.2l V6 and it had same bolt pattern as 302/5.0l, also had shifter farther back so matches Rangers shifter hole

Earlier M5OD-R2s on the 302's had shifter farther forward, and can be used you will just have to customize shifter so it won't hit dash

 

thank you so much! im assuming drive shaft will have to be made?

 

Do you know if the M5OD-R2 will monut to the truck or will it need an adapter of some sort?

 

won't fit but there are a bunch of options for 302... 4x4 my dream trans is an old school bullet proof t18/borgwarner (granny 1st for crawling) out of the older f150 e150 f100 even older f250 and also they sell adapter kits from dodge to ford with that trans as dodge kept in production well into the 90s in the 4x4 diesel and gas full size pickups where as ford went to the mood-r2... Though im pretty sure ive seen some t5 with a transfer case on them (dont quote me on that one). Meanwhile If 2 wheel drive stick with the t4-t5 easily customized widely available and are pretty sturdy for street strip applications (as they put those in mustang.. For bellhousings 300 inline6 and Small block ford all have the same bellhousing pattern. My advice pick which way your going (4x4-2wd-how many gears and what type of duty you indend to put that beast through.) My only other suggestion is if your going that far beef up the rear while your there with a 3rd member style 9" both bulletproof and effective easy gear changes etc.