I have a 2004 XLT 4.0 4x4, manual transmission. I need a new transmission, but can't seem to find a way to know exactly which transmission I need. Apparently there are a few. I've gotten underneath it and found no letters or numbers on the transmission. The designated place where the transmission type is supposed to be on the plate on the inside of the door simply says "J". Called the local Ford dealership and they were no help, which makes no sense at all. I've found a tranny with a little over 100k miles on it that is a F87A-FA. But I don't know if that's the right one. Does it matter,? If so, what's the difference? Risks? Or can anyone tell me how to find out the exact one that goes in my truck? Thank you

 

Welcome to the forum

There is only one manual transmission for your vehicle, M5OD-R1HD(M5R1HD), "J" on the door label, 4x4

These were only used on 2001-2011 Rangers with 4.0l SOHC engines OR Mazda B4000 2001-2010
And you must get one from a 4x4, 2WD trans won't work

car-part.com is a good place to look

 

Just as a "heads up", the M5OD model transmissions all used ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual trans, Mercon V or equivalent, is spec

These have a one piece body with bell housing, so each is engine specific, i.e. an M5OD from a 3.0l won't fit a 4.0l even though both are M5OD models

In 2001 an Output Shaft Speed(OSS) sensor was added to the M5OD body which all 2001 and up computers need, so 2001 is the earliest model that could be used in a 2004 Ranger

 

I finally know what the id number is on my transmission. It's: IL547003HB
The transmission I've found is a F87A-FA.
Owe that compatible with my truck?

 

No, not compatible

F87A is a 1998 model

Ford does part number with a Prefix and a suffix, the actual part number is in the middle
Prefix-part number-suffix

F = 1990's, (E was 1980's)
8 = 1998
7 = Ranger/B-series/Explorer was assigned model
A = department at Ford that is responsible for this part, Light Truck Engineering

In 1999 Ford changed the way part numbers work
Still 4 digits in the pre-fix but...........
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
ect....................

L5 = Ranger/B-series

IL54, should be 1L54
1L54
1 = 2001
L5 = Ranger/B-series
4 = Vehicle Center 4, its a department at Ford

1L5 does not mean its only for a 2001 Ranger, it just means the casting/part was last updated in 2001
There are parts on a 2022 Ranger that will have E4(1984) part prefix because they are still being used as is

The Suffix is for revisions, AA is first revision, then AB, then AC, OR...........if enough changes were made maybe FA

7003 is the part number for a transmission, in ANY Ford vehicle not specific, just means "transmission"

You want 1L5 or later

 

There is another transmission specifically for the 02 FX4 and 03 FX4 LII with the manual shift transfer case. I don't know what the part number is for it. The only difference is the extension housing has the bosses on it for the manual shift transfer case linkage mounts. It will still fit on your vehicle though, but your transmission will not work on the manual shift transfer case vehicle unless the extension housing is swapped. However, the chances of you finding one of those transmissions is not very likely because they are kind of rare. If you do, I would be happy to exchange the extension housing with you for a re-manufactured proper extension housing for your vehicle.