86 and 89
 

Can the parts from an 86 Ranger be used on a 89? Primarily the drive train, both are 2.3...thanks oh, and 4x4

Well yes, but there are differences

The 4x4 parts are the same

The transmissions are different but both will fit the 2.3l SOHC Lima block
Automatics, both are A4LD but 1986 will just have 1 solenoid, 1989 will have 2 solenoids
Manuals, 1986 has Mitsubishi FM145, 1989 should have M5OD-R1, the M5OD-R1 is the better transmission

1986 2.3l will have distributor and just 4 spark plugs, and should have fuel injection
1989 2.3l will be distributorless and 8 spark plugs, will have fuel injection
You must swap computer and engine wiring harness with engine, 1986 computer can't run the 1989 engine and visa versa

The Front and Rear axles are the same type on both, but may have different ratios, in 4x4s front and rear axles MUST HAVE the same ratios

The front end BODY parts are different but body parts from cab back are the same

Thx Ron.
I plan to use the 89 trans (both are manual) in the 86 since it’s bad, stuck in a forward gear, and possibly convert from the existing Push Button transfer case system to manual from the 89.

Shouldn't be an issue

The M5OD-R1 transmissions do NOT have a bottom bolt on pan, like the FM145 would have, thats the easy way to tell them apart by just looking

Reason I mention it is because the M5OD-R1 uses ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission, so if it is an M5OD-R1 DO NOT put gear oil in it, lol

Manual transfer cases will have a switch with 2 terminals, its next to shift linkage on drivers side
That switch's 2 terminals are for the 4high and 4low lights on the dash
They are grounds
Neither terminal is grounded in 2high or Neutral
1 is grounded in 4high, and the other in 4low

The dash 4WD lights both get 12volts with key on, but each bulbs ground is currently controlled by the 4x4 module, by grounding a bulb, you can use that wiring to get the 4high and 4low lights working again
For sure not needed, I mean you can SEE the shifter, lol, just an FYI

Thanks again Ron!
As things progress, I’ll let you know if interested...
How did you obtain this vast amazing knowledge?
TDD...

I am OLD

Nothing to it, as Groucho Marx said, "old age is nothing to brag about you just have to live long enough"

And thats how old I am, I remember The Marx Brothers

I ain’t to far behind ya...thx again!

Hey Ron

since you seem to have some great insight maybe you can help me too. I have an 89 2.9 4x4. Motor is just coming out of the machine shop to be rebuilt however my 4x4 is having some issues. The lights come on by themselves and it has never worked since I got it two years ago. Any suggestions on trouble shooting?

You should probably start your own thread, its FREE, lol

Ranger 4x4 systems have 3 parts plus the wiring
1. dash switch, unless you hit it with a hammer they never break
2. 4x4 CM, control module, yours is behind drivers seat, and behind a plastic panel or under jump seat if super cab, these are also pretty bullet proof
3. Shift motor on transfer case, these are the usual source of problems, they are only "moving parts" and exposed to the elements 24/7

Front hubs need to lock but they are not part of the electrical control system, exception is 1998-2000 Ranger PVH hubs

Most likely cause of 4x4 issues is the shift motor, have a look here at whats inside: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-motor.123542/

The shift motor works the same as a power window motor, it has 2 wires, if wires are 12v/ground motor turns clockwise, if ground/12v motor turns counter clockwise, so reverse polarity reverse direction. i.e. window rolls up or window rolls down

The shift motor also has 5 "sensors" wires, these tell the 4x4 CM what position the transfer case is in with key ON
These are just a Contact Wheel that turns with transfer case shift rod, seen in above pics 5 and 6, contact wheel and contacts
These contacts are what control the LIGHTS on the dash

When you select 4WD on the switch, the 4x4 CM will send 12v/ground to the motor, it turns the worm gear which turns the contact wheel and transfer case shift rod
When the 4WD contacts are Closed, 4x4 CM turns off the 12v/ground and turns ON the dash light
When you select 2WD the 4x4 CM sends ground/12v to motor and turns contact wheel and transfer case shift rod back to 2WD(2H) until contacts for 2H are closed

Pretty simple setup

But if 4WD dash lights flash randomly there could be a few reasons
Both 4WD lights get 12volts with Key ON, but they are not Grounded so stay OFF(if in 2WD), the 4x4 CM Grounds each bulb to turn it on
Now if................one of these ground wires is chaffed, and randomly grounding to metal or a ground wire...............then random on and off
And with 31 year old wiring this is not out of the realm of possibility, lol

With key on reach under dash and gently move wire harnesses, they are 31 years old so gently is the key word
Then do the same at the 4x4 CM

Next would be to pull the shift motor off and check it
You can shift it using buttons on the dash to see if its moving correctly
And you will see the 2 motor wires, they run to the motor, lol
You can hook these to 12v and ground to see if motor works, and reverse wires to see if it works in BOTH directions

You can MARK the the contact cover and then remove it to see if contacts and wheel are clean, contact cover needs to go back on with same alignment so position for shift rod is correct

Gotta love this guy!

Ron, I found a FM145 pretty close by but its out of a 86 2wd. Can that be used? I’m assuming not without mods of course.
im thinkin the tail end would need To be changed/swapped out to fit the TRansfer case

I can't say on the FM-series what would be involved, yes the tail shaft housing needs to be removed/swapped but also the 4x4 has a shorter output shaft and thats the part I am not sure on

dude it’s like he has every ranger ever built downloaded to his brain like it’s a hard drive.

The 86
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...8c46753e2.jpeg
No bad for 500 bucks

Its not RED but darn nice find for $500

Took quite awhile but I finally got the replacement trans installed…all good and functional…it there supposed to be a gasket between the trans and the transfer case?