Thinking about whether it’s actually worth the almost $500 value of actual improvement in the shifting of the 5 speed?!!
1997 4.0.
John

 

It should be they are meant for racing, heavy duty etc,. does it say "short throw" in the product description?

 

I like the way mine shifts, but can't say I would want to spend almost $500 for one. That's kinda insane for a 20 year old truck. I didn't even like paying the $300 for mine back in 2015 or so.

 

It surely wont make you go faster or run better, I'd save the money and use it for gas.

 

If you haven't checked them out yet, try core-shifters.com. Hurst-style short-throw using some hurst parts, billet stuff done in-house, hurst shifters, etc.
For your ranger (m5r1) you're looking at closer to $329 + shipping, depending on what options (****/handle, body lift spacers required or no, etc).
I have no affiliation whatsoever, but I have bought two of them (one in a m5r1 and one in an m5r2).
These are truck transmissions so if you're looking for smooth, buttery, quick shifts, that's never gonna happen. BUT if you want a solid, notchy, quicker short-throw that improves the shifts significantly, I'd say it was easily one of the best mods I've ever made to the truck and driving experience. It won't make you faster, but the shifts will make you smile on the way there.
You should know, however, that it will likely be louder than the stock shifter setup, since ford uses rubber and that large boot setup to isolate noise in the oem shifter.

 

Got to the site: the shifter for my Ranger is unavailable: no info as to when; but I calendared it to check again in a few months.
Thank You!
John

 

Send an email - it's a small business and I've found they've always replied pretty quickly to my questions. Should be able to give you eta (they did for my last one).