Can I use a 97 2.3 five speed 2 Wheel Drive on my 98 3.0 4 speed with overdrive 4x4 can anyone please help me with this

 

Probably not because they never made a 2.3 that’s 4x4. All 2.3s were 2wd which kinda sucked I wish my 2.3 was 4x4

 

+1 ^^^

Welcome to the forum

M5OD-R1 manual transmission I assume?

2.3l trans won't bolt to 3.0l engine, and no adapters
2WD trans won't bolt to a 4x4 transfer case

You can use a 1991 to 2008 M5OD-R1 transmission from a 3.0l 4x4 or a B3000 4x4 in your 1998 3.0l 4x4

Nothing from a 2WD and nothing from a 2.3l/2.5l or 4.0l will work

M5OD-R1 is a "model" number, like Ranger is a Ford "model", Rangers come in several sub-models, XL, XLT, and 2WD or 4x4, regular cab and extended cab
So M5OD-R1 model doesn't fit any and all vehicles, that's just the "model" number, it has sub-models, i.e. 3.0l 4x4 model