Ranger Manual Transmission

[rdc]

I'm in the market to but a 4.0 4x4 ranger, in the 93-97 range, and was wondering about the 5-speed manual transmissions these came with(I think its the R-2?), and how they hold up off-road. I think I would prefer the manual vs. the automatic but how do they compare strength-wise? anybody have any opinions????

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[Kritter]

I have the manual (M5OD-R)an it is a POS. something is crap in the way the slave cylinder is set up so it is a ** [I]¡Ay, caramba![/I]**** [I]¡Ay, caramba![/I]**** [I]¡Ay, caramba![/I]**** [I]¡Ay, caramba![/I]**** [I]¡Ay, caramba![/I]** to go into gear from a stop so you are forced to throw( I mean throw) the biatch in gear or throw the finger out the window to those honking at you to get movin. Even with a new clutch and slave it still is crap.It pops out of third while coasting and it grinds on down shifts to second. If somebody besides me tries to drive it...good luck, it takes finnesse to drive the dam thing. If I had the money I would go to an auto, but that's not what you will hear from the Ford dealer, everytime I go in there and complain about how shiatty the tranny is they tell me that it's the best thing since sliced bread. Come drive mine and I am sure you will go the other way. Or go ask the Baja Shop how they feel about their manual tranny, I am pretty sure they are not too pleased with its performance. Also ask Greg Gagnon, I think he is on tranny #4.

Then there is the A4LD (low duty). This is the kinda tranny your mom would be proud to drive around in, not something good for off road. It's shifts take looooooong, but they are oh so smooth(sarcasm). The thing slips like no other and it was designed that way. We have one built by Art Carr with a TCS converter and it's in a 4X Ranger and it made a big difference but it's still no C-4 or C-6.

I'd say go with what you prefer because either way you gotta do some work to it to make it work the way you want.



Kris

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dmsrace.com>www.dmsrace.com</A>

[rdc]

Kris,

Your problems shifting are do to the fact that it is nearly impossible to bleed the clutch. Ever taken a look at the line running from the master cylinder down to the slave?? Your smart, go take a look and tell me what is wrong with it... If you have gotten major air in the system or have replaced the master you need to pull the piston out to release the trapped air.. I am planning to have a custom master cylinder made up. I am thinking that increasing the volume of it by about 10%, upper bleeder, relocation of line coming from res. and AN fittings to allow the use of steel braided line to slave will make all the nightmares go away..

But yes the tranny is going to be weak if you run bigger than 32" tires and/or beat the crap out of it. I have only blown one 5spd up in my ranger but it was only first gear so I could still drive it. I would not go auto unless it was a C4..

Tony
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.y-not-productions.com>www.y-not-productions.com</A>

[Kritter]

I have bled it completely so that's not the problem, it jsut took some patience and a helpful girlfriend! It's just first and reverse syncros are not good unless modified from stock or at least that is what I am told. As for the master cylinder, the major problem with it is that it is in the way of my tires on up travel and it is not worth the effort to move it.

Kris

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dmsrace.com>www.dmsrace.com</A>

[Snmiedo]

Kritter,

I know that both the transmissions you mentioned have their negative sides. My father in law has your manual tranny in his 4.0 Ranger as does another customer of mine. We also find it sticky to shift and opted to change the fluid to Redline HD Shockproof Gera Oil. Low and behold, it worked great! The balkyness of the shifting was gone and the tranny even seems quieter.

You should be able to get the Redline anywhere for about $8 per quart. If you have problems getting it, call me at 619-691-9171 Race Ready Products and I'll ship you some.

On the other hand, the A4LD is not a C4, but the overdrive sure is nice. I have found that with a shift kit, TCS converter, Swepco ATF, and either a 11 x 11 cooler with fan or a Fluidyne Enduro Cooler that it works great.

Good luck!
Mike

[Kritter]

The M5OD is supposed to use ATF.

Kris

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dmsrace.com>www.dmsrace.com</A>

[SDranger]

Kritter is totally right on this one. The tranny is the crappiest part of any ranger. I just blew the hell out of my 5spd with only 64k on it! So, ya get whatever tranny you want becasue they both suck.

97 Ranger 4x4
02 CR125

[Greg]

I'm actually on tranny #3 but all the times different things broke. The 5 speed IS a decent trans but its kinda fragile. The single biggest problem is the shift rail plugs shrink over time and allow oil to run out at the top of the trans while driving then it stops leaking when you park, pretty soon no oil and something burns up, like, say the input shaft bearings that lead to a broken input shaft and a tow home. I also broke 3rd gear, after analisis it looked to be like i over heated someting in there. The last failure was the mainshaft thrust plate that is made from a casting, I broke that brcause the rebound damping was too slow and slammin whoops with 35's will break somrthing. If it breaks again i'll make a billet peice for everyone here. I thought about a c-4, but waaay too much power loss and no overdrive (i run 4:88). If i ever run an auto it'll be a worked aod w/o lock-up. The oil you run in the trans makes all the difference in the world, they take atf, but a mix of atf and 4 stroke m/c oil (w/ the gear oil additives) will make it shift smooth.

Greg

[rdc]

Greg,

I am going to put air in your master cylinder so you can try and bleed it in hopes you will make a new and improved master cylinder !!! LOL J/K

I don't have problems with the shift rod plugs but how about getting the portion of the driveshaft that goes in the back of the tranny made out of something that doesn't get a grove worn in it from the seal..That would be nice !!

Tony
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.y-not-productions.com>www.y-not-productions.com</A>

[Kritter]

Contact J.E REEL Driveshaft in Pomona. He will do you up a bithcen driveshaft. He did them for
RG while he was out here, then Riviera, Herzog, and last but not least DMS to name a few. He does
awesome work. His name is Jim.

Kris

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dmsrace.com>www.dmsrace.com</A>