I have a manual tranny with 5 speed (4+overdrive) and I would need to change/repair it soon since 3rd is gone and some gears are "jumpy"

I thought about just going to the junkyard and getting a used 5-speed tranny from any ranger that fits a 1995. But someone I know said it would be hard because I need to find one for a 4.0L 2WD engine. and that they are rare.

Now I don't know a lot about trannys and I thought that the size of the engine didn't matter, in this case 4.0L and that let's say a 3.0L would fit no problem.
Is this true? and does the truck being a 2WD or a 4WD make a difference also?
thanks!

yes and yes. it needs to be from the same engine you have now. also 2wd and 4wd tranny's are different.

2wd 4.0 5 speeds aren't uncommon. but be prepared to pay $500-1500 for a tranny.

The bolt pattern on a 4.0 is different from a 3.0.
A tranny from a 3.0 won't bolt to a 4.0, unless you can change the bellhousing.
The 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0 all have the same bolt pattern, so a tranny(TK- 4,5, FM-145, FM-146, M5OD) from any of those engines would work, but each are different lengths, so the driveshaft may be too short/long. Being as you have a 95, you most likely have a M5OD, which is the best of ranger trannys.

A 4x4 tranny would work, but the driveshaft would also have to be changed, as the 4x4 tranny would be longer, making the original driveshaft to long.

ok, thanks a lot. I know what to look for now.

While I'm at it, Is it really that hard to change a tranny? I know it takes about 4-6hours to do it but I was thinking of maybe trying on my own. and is there a detailed guide somewhere I could get reference on?

If I change it on my own is it better to try and repair mine, or would it be cheaper/faster just putting in a "new" one?

Swapping it yourself is something that anyone w/ reasonable skills can do. Rebuilding your existing one takes a higher level of skill and likely some special tools. And, I've been told that some of the rebuild parts are hard to find. The risk w/ getting a used one is that you don't know how hard its been used...

Swapping it isn't that hard: (from Haynes)
1. disconnect battery
2. put trans in neutral
3. remove shift lever
4. drain trans fluid
5. raise vehicle and support it securely
6. remove driveshaft
7. disconnect clutch line
8. disconnect speedo cable (if so equipped)
9. remove starter from engine
10. disconnect electrical connections at trans (backup lights, t-case shifter, etc.)
11. place jack under oil pan and provide a little pressure (put a block between the jack and the pan)
12. on 4wd models, remove t-case
13. on v6 models, remove exhaust
14. place trans jack under the trans and secure w/ a strap, then remove the bolts holding the trans to the engine
15. remove bolts/nuts securing the trans to the crossmember
16. removethe crossmember
17. slowly lower the jack under the trans somewhat and pull the trans rearward and work it free of the locating dowels. be careful to pull it straight back until the input shaft is clear of the clutch
18. lower the trans and remove it.
19. installation is reverse.

Note that when I dropped mine, I did not drain it, nor did I remove the t-case, but that makes it a lot heavier and a little more difficult to work with. Of course, that's a non-issue to you.

It's not that hard to do it yourself. It would be easier to just replace it than try to rebuild.

1. remove shifter
2. remove driveshaft
3. support rear of engine
4. disconnect clutch line
5. unbolt y-tube from manifold
6. remove starter
7. unhook any wires/speedo cable
8. support tranny on a jack
9. remove tranny crossmember
10. unbolt tranny from engine
11. lower jack under tranny
12. slide tranny back to remove

Installation is reverse. You may have to twist it to line up the input shaft with the clutch, or put the replacement tranny in gear and turn the output shaft to line them up.

Hope this helps.

rubydist posted while I was typing. Plus mine was from memory, so not quite so detailed.

The bolt pattern on a 4.0 is different from a 3.0.
A tranny from a 3.0 won't bolt to a 4.0, unless you can change the bellhousing.
The 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0 all have the same bolt pattern, so a tranny(TK- 4,5, FM-145, FM-146, M5OD) from any of those engines would work, but each are different lengths, so the driveshaft may be too short/long. Being as you have a 95, you most likely have a M5OD, which is the best of ranger trannys.

A 4x4 tranny would work, but the driveshaft would also have to be changed, as the 4x4 tranny would be longer, making the original driveshaft to long.


A 4x4 tranny will not work unless you pull all the stuff out to change the output shaft and the tail housing.
tail housing can be changed without dis-assembling but the tranny has to be dis-assembled to change the output shaft

A 4x4 tranny will not work unless you pull all the stuff out to change the output shaft and the tail housing.
tail housing can be changed without dis-assembling but the tranny has to be dis-assembled to change the output shaft

I should have said it a little better. A 4x4 tranny will work if you leave the transfer case attached. The 2wd versions of the Bll used a 4x4 tranny with a dummy transfer case. Using a 4x4 tranny w/ a transfer case would also allow you to have a 2hi and 2lo setting.

this is a little off topic.. but i was wondering how to get the clutch line out? im kinda stumped on this