What 5 speed will fit a 83-84 Ranger

[tamecrow]

I have an '84 Ranger 4 speed and was wondering what 5 speed transmissions fit. I was told an early 80's gas tranny from either a B2000 or a B2200, but not sure of exactly which year or model. I also posted in the RX-7 Tranny thread but after re-reading my post it didn't seem to fit that thread.

Anyhow, If anybody can tell me what transmissions will fit the Ranger it will be greatly appreciated.

[johno]

The bellhousing is unique to the diesel, but will fit any similar Mazda tranny. That only leaves the input shaft to change, and gear ratios to try to match. RX-7 tranny's seem to be the ones a few other folks have used to start with. It's also been discussed that the RX7 tailhousing/5th gear can be spliced onto the 4-speed, but proper gear ratios are hard to match. I've got a 1984 Ford Courier 5-speed I plan to try swapping bellhousing and input shaft to obtain a lower mileage tranny for my diesel. I'll report on success/failure after it's done, perhaps in the next couple months.

[sputterbutt]

I put an '84 5spd gasser in my 83 Ranger.

-Swap bellhousing for diesel
-Cut shift tunnel in cab (as whole thing moves back a few inches)
-Bend shifter handle (seat now in the way)
-Move tranny mount back a bit (easy)
-Cut driveline
-New speedo gear do-hickey

You can now do 70-75 on freeway, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are using WVO or homemade biodiesel as mileage drops exponentially after about 60-65 mph (I've had 20 mpg).

It's worth it.

[sputterbutt]

Oops forgot to mention - Trans was from '84 2200 Mazda if there is any confusion.

[tamecrow]

Thanks for the replies! I first thought the RX-7 swap was the way to go until I was told that 5th was too tall for the Diesel. Our Diesel's 5th is 0.87, and the RX-7 is 0.65 I believe. I think the gaser trannys from the B series is 0.87 (same as our Diesel's)but the input shaft has to be changed. I think it would be easier to swap the input shaft, then change the ratio on the RX-7 tranny. Any input on this would be great.

[redneck rigger]

The rx7 fith gear is fine, I accually use it on short trips often.

It's not too tall, and all I had to do was swap out the innards on my 83' b2200. For the ranger, you will probably have to use the rx7 tailshaft and shift linkages tough.

[tamecrow]

Sept 3, 2008 22:21:07 GMT -5 @redneck rigger said:

The rx7 fith gear is fine, I accually use it on short trips often.

It's not too tall, and all I had to do was swap out the innards on my 83' b2200. For the ranger, you will probably have to use the rx7 tailshaft and shift linkages tough.

I thought the B2200 gasser or the RX7 transmission would bolt directly to our bellhousing. What year RX7 tranny fits? Thanks for the info.

[westycat]

My question is the same as tamecrow:

What years of the RX7 transmission fit the B2200? Thanks.

[redneck rigger]

Just about any early rotary engine rx7, I'd try and shoot for a first generation rx7 (1979-1985). The one in my truck is out of an 83' rx7, but any of the first generation transmissions will work for sure.

The gasser belhousing will NOT work. Trust me, i tried every possible combination of b2200 gasser innards and my diesel trans shell. Nothing would work. The only way to make a gasser b2000/b2200 trans work is to swap the input and output shafts and all the gears.

The rx7 swap is the easiest, for the b2200 all you have to swap ist the front and rear portions of the tranmission casing.

For the ranger you will have to swap the front part of the trans casing, and re-use the rx7 rear housing. You may also have to get your driveshaft cut, as I think the outputshaft on the rx7 transmission is longer than the one on the ranger. Your will also have to cut a new hole for the shifter to pass through the floor, since the rx7 shifter sits farther back than the stock ranger shifter. You may aslo have to bend the shifter slightly to clear the stock bench seat.

The gasoline tranmission will not work AT ALL, without extensive modification. The input shaft has a diffent number of splines than the diesel transmission and is longer, so it WILL not accept the stock diesel clutch or flywheel. Notice that the diesel and rx7 share the exact same clutch and similar flywheels, this is why they interchange so much better, as compared the gasoline trucks.

I have heard that early 90's b2600 transmissions work, but I haven't tried the swap, nor do I know anyhting about the b2600 trans, so I don not know if they will work. But, if you have a chance to see a b2600 trans, check and see if the input shaft mathes that of the diesel b2200/ranger. If the input shaft matches, the swap can typically be done.

[johno]

The Courier 5-speed will not fit. Yesterday I tried. The inner guts are completely different, so they can't even be transplanted into the Mazda housing. 'Looks like I'll just have to put the old tranny back in. I replaced the 2 front and 2 rear bearings at 223,000miles, but couldn't get the intermediate gear group apart. Luckily, their bearings seemed to be in good shape, so far. I would have liked to change the input shaft needle bearings, but don't have the tools to take it apart. I've changed the input shaft main bearing 2 times now. I think it was DieselDavo who posted a stronger bearing part number. I'll use it (assuming I can find the number).
Cheers,
JohnO

[johno]

A stronger main input shaft bearing is MRC 306 MG. It has twice as many balls. It's what Mazda should have used, according to my bearing supply guy - all tranny's (except this one, apparantly) use the heavier-duty bearings.
Cheers,
JohnO

[greywolftenn]

WHAT ABOUT USING A 82-84 MAZDA B2200 DIESEL TRANSMISSION, WOULD THIS WORK OR ARE THE GUTS DIFFERENT?