Trans swap year info

[Verbal Kint]

My project truck is on a 2wd '83/84 NA 2.3 5 speed long box Ranger chassis. The TK5 would shift fine/smoothly for the first hour or 2 of driving, however it seemed as the trans warmed up it became more difficult to shift, no noticeable clutch slipping, smooth pedal operation, etc... The trans has a ton of miles (along with the motor), the rubber cup at the bottom of the shifter wore out making the shifter loose over time, the trans whined in all gears. Yesterday, after running some errands, the shift lever stuck in 4th gear. Clutch in/clutch, motor on/motor off made no change, I suspected the shift fork bound up inside the trans and I think its just worn out. I took the carpet out and pulled the top cover and after lightly tapping the shift cup back and forth it finally freed up and is shifting again. Gear oil was 1/2 quart low but no metal shavings when flushed with new fluid.


Now for the question - I'm shopping the local wrecking yards for my best bet for a replacment.

(From the information I've been able to find.....)

Will any year 1983 - 2001 2wd TK5 or M50D fit? I realize the shifter is in a diff location and the M50 is 1" longer and the cross member needs some work. Neither of these are a big deal since the truck has a custom trans tunnel and I can have the driveline cut if its for a better transmission.

Here is a couple pics of the "poorject"

Thank you for any info

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/swdobbs/46%20jailbar/IMG_0072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/swdobbs/46%20jailbar/IMG_0089.jpg

[AirBender]

i cant believe you took the patina off of that truck.....!!!!!! go t5 and be done with it..... if you need to mod stuff just get a trans that is easily available and fairly cheap to get....t5

[Verbal Kint]

ab,

Everyone (except my wife) thinks I should have left the patina. I would have but with 8 colors, it looked like a dozen shriner clowns should pile out of it at each stop light.

I really just want it back under its own power before Montana winter sets it. I have a turbo motor in the works and a M50D should suit this trucks purpose.

Doesn't the T5 require a few more mods to run?

I think I could pull off the mods for M50D in an afternoon.

Do the M50Ds that would fit the 2.3 go all the way up to 2001?

Thanks for the reply

[happybeachgoerm]

i am not a ford guy, what is this M50D that you speak of?? I have a 2.3 Lima that i am swapping into an old car and im looking for a good cheap trans that has an electronic speedo out.

[K G]

i am not a ford guy, what is this M50D that you speak of?? I have a 2.3 Lima that i am swapping into an old car and im looking for a good cheap trans that has an electronic speedo out.

M5OD= Man, 5 speed over drive. was in ford light trucks from mid 80 to....
The had elec speedo starting 95 to 98, in 98 I think they moved it to the rear end.
T5 was in the T-Bird Mustang ect, Just get one from a 2.3
.02
KG

[D94R]

That patina was gorgeous :(

Go T5 and don't look back.