I'm about to put a replacement transmission in a 94 Ranger 4x4. The two trannys look the same but on the top plate there are two electrical plugs on my old transmission and only one on the new transmission. The casting is the same but the new tranny appears to not have been drilled for the additional plug.

Maybe the rig the new tranny came out of was lacking an option that the 94 has. Say cruise control, maybe?

What say you? Do I need a different transmission? Can I pull the top plate off the transmission and easily change the necessary pieces to make the other sensor (or whatever it is) function in the new transmission?

Thanks!

 

What was the new transmission out of?

 

Supposedly out of a 2004.

I have a little more information. The labels on the sides of the two transmissions read as follows:

Old tranny (2 connectors):
F27A
ZA
B535859

New Tranny (one connector - driver side only):
F57A
FA
C591042

I looked up some of the numbers and found a parts list but it is the same for both. There are two electrical switches listed:
ALTM5R1-70 Switch, Neutral safety 2 prong with wires
TRS306411 Switch, Back up light 2 prong, Red with female connector

So, it seems they did away with the neutral sensor at some point.

 

post pics of both transmissions and connectors...ill be able to help you out then

 

A 2004 is a 5R55e and the 94 is a 4R55. You shouldn't be able to swap it without lot's of mods.

 

Although he didn't say, I believe he's talking about a manual transmission. There was a Neutral Sensing Switch on some 94-back manual Rangers but not on the 95 and later.

 

i was thinking manual trans as well

 

Thanks for the replies and sorry for my absence. Spent the day moving furniture at my grandmother's place.

Yes this is a manual tranny. So from what I'm reading here the replacement transmission will need to be 94 or earlier in order to possibly have the neutral sensing switch?

Dammit...this is getting to be a pain in the ****. I am helping a friend do this in my garage because he has no place/tools to do it and he's disabled. But this has dragged on for 2 weeks and we just now find out he may not be able to get another transmission. I don't know how long it will take to get his rebuilt. Now my wife is starting to ride my *** about it.

Sorry...venting. Thanks for the help.

 

You could try comparing the tops of the two transmissions. I don't know but it MIGHT be possible to swap the top covers. Maybe not but worth a look.

Also, when shopping for a trans, be sure to get one from the same engine. The bellhousing is integral to the trans case and there are different bolt patterns for the 4-cylinders, the 3.0 and the 4.0.

 

Everything else matches up. When I was pulling out the bell housing bolts we looked at the new transmission to figure out that there were two more way up on top that I hadn't removed yet.

We keep asking around for Ford Ranger transmissions...is there a way to figure out what Mazda pickup model would have had the same trans? Maybe we'd have more luck asking for one of those. I'm not convinced the local bone yards have a decent way to cross reference parts between manufacturers.

 

Stupid double post.

 

The Mazda B-series pickup sold in North America has been mechanically identical to the Ranger since 1994.

 

I found a transmission cross reference but it's not complete. It only shows auto trans for Rangers 94 and earlier.

 

My friend found a 94 transmission at another local wrecking yard. Let's just hope it's good.

Thanks for all your help!