Hi all!

I'm a ford 'car guy' but a suzuki 4x4 guy. Not having any experience with ford trucks, I figured I'd ask here.
I have a rebuilt 2.3L turbo from an 87 turbo coupe that I plan to put into my samurai. I also have the T-5 tranny that came with the car (and the sami t-case is divorsed). Trying to keep things small, light, reliable and still drivable on the street on occassion, what other trans/t-case options would you recomend? I am looking for something that pretty much bolts right up to the 2.3 and also a t-case that can possibly be regeared, as well as have a passenger-side drop front output.
I have heard I can source something from a bronco II (or maybe ranger)? What trans should I look for? What are gearing options for ford t-cases that would fit this application?
The reason I say BRII and Ranger is I am trying to keep things small and light as possible. The problem with the sami case, is it has a high-range gear reduction, which I am trying to get away from. I'd rather have 1:1 in high range and gear down my toyota axles I am putting under it.
Thanks in advance!!

JP

someone else is asking this...:D
This is something that has been bothering me for some time.
I *think* you can install an NP435 behind a 2.3, The pilot shouldnt be a problem, the disc is available in the 1.125" x 10spline, and I believe the indexing ring is the same size. Or you could always put a spacer between the BH and the trans if need be. Actually, I can do just that tonight...I have both the trans and the BH in the garage...why didnt I think of that sooner?
I will report back later tonight.

P.S.:

OR you can get a T5 from a CJ (should bolt directly to the 2.3 BH) and put any number of tcase/ doubler combos behind that (round bolt pattern, with 23 spline output.)
I think there are adapters to go from a 4WD C4 automatic to a number of tcases.

If you have the T-5 bellhousing you could prolly look for an S-10/S-15 T5 with t-case. I believe they are passenger drop.

Another option is to find a M5OD (Mazda manual trans) that is from a 2.3L. You'll have to go ranger for that one as the B2 was never offered with the 4cyl. Then with the 1350 T case you could go to your devorced sammy case and have a double low.

S10 4x4 was a drivers side drop.

I've got a '95 ranger with the 2.3, will the T5 or NP435 bolt onto it ? it has the M5OD trans which I believe is a one piece bellhousing

Don't quote me here, but I thought the sami tcases were divorsced? Wouldn't the tranny that comes with it work?

Don't quote me here, but I thought the sami tcases were divorsced? Wouldn't the tranny that comes with it work?
Yeah, the sami case is divorsed, but the problem as stated above is that they have a crappy high-range reduction to make up for the stock motor's 55-60 HP. (1.24:1 stock high range reduction. 1.41:1 HR reduction with my current t.case gears which are 6:1 low range)
If I didn't mind the high range reduction, it wouldn't be an issue, but I want to be able to drive it on the street as well. With the sami motor it's not a problem at higher RPMS, because that's where it makes any of it's power, plus that motor has no problem running 4K all day on the freeway. But, since the 2.3L turbo has 3 times as much power, I don't need to be in the high RPMs on the street to make power (nor do I want to).
For 37's I plan to run, I am regearing my toyota axles. With that done, I don't want the reduction in the sami t-case as well.
SSooo, I am looking for a possible tranny/t-case option that will do a few things.
1. bolt directly to the ford 2.3L turbo motor.
2. has passenger side front output
3. has 1:1 high range and also has the option to be geared lower for low range (at least 4:1 if possible)
4. is still 'kinda' light and small, so a d300 wouldn't do.

(haha, sorry, this turned into a book)

JP

Well, i can't think of any good way to get a passenger side drop case behind the 2.3. The best way to do it would be to find a 2.3 M5OD, then put a D.D. Machine doubler behind it, Duffy says that he has the adapterplates to put a d300 behind it, all he would need to do is make the appropriate doubler output shaft. It would be heavier than stock, but you could have 2.5 and 4:1 as well as 10:1 inthe t-cases, which would be super pimp.

IF you wanted a slightly shorter tranny, you could find an early TK4 from an 83-85 4cyl 4x4 ranger. It is approximately 6" shorter than the M5OD, but no overdrive.

why bother regearing the axles then? I just don't get why you'd want to bother regearing the axles when you already have that much reduction in the tcase. Just wondering why the high range reduction is crappy? I wish my tcase had a high range reduction.

You could probably clock the 1354 or 1350 to a passenger side output. You'd have to run a tranny from the early rangers though or later ones with the 2.3.

You could probably clock the 1354 or 1350 to a passenger side output. You'd have to run a tranny from the early rangers though or later ones with the 2.3.

the only problem with clocking the t-case over would be that the oil pickup would be high and dry. but still doable, easily too with the D.D. doubler

wow, this is something ive been looking for info on for a few months now. Finding a tranny and tcase to go behind the 2.3t, or building this 302 with aod that ive got sitting in a grand marquis outside. But i procrastinated on posting this topic as its well known the abuse newbs get for posting some topics.

Im workin on an sas for my 97 ranger, with a 2.3, so this swap would be locigal to me if i could get a 4wd drivetrain behind it.

the only problem with clocking the t-case over would be that the oil pickup would be high and dry. but still doable, easily too with the D.D. doubler

Might be an invite for flames, but what's a D.D. Doubler?

Might be an invite for flames, but what's a D.D. Doubler?

It's a dual t-case made from 2 ranger t-cases. I just ordered one for my ranger.
I run a 2.3T in my 88 ranger. Not a hard swap other then the wireing. I'm still running the stock ranger 5 speed trans.

Sam(slim)

It's a dual t-case made from 2 ranger t-cases. I just ordered one for my ranger.
I run a 2.3T in my 88 ranger. Not a hard swap other then the wireing. I'm still running the stock ranger 5 speed trans.

Sam(slim)

Thanks! Any links/sites to what these look like, costs, etc?
I am guessing these are driver's side drop?
Which trans is in yours?

JP

Btt

Might want to look into a stubler http://www.4-x-fab.com/Stubler_info.php , they run about $800, and yeah, driver's side drop.


hick

Or get the adapter from c4 (with afore mentioned c5 bellhousing) to toyota t-case or the t-5 to toyota adapter.

Just run a 2.3 Pinto (bobcat,Capri etc.) C-4 with a AA adaptor and a Dana 20 T-case from a Jeep. That'll give ya a pass drop.

Though this is an old thread, I gotta laugh when JPninAZ says he is doing the 2.3 to keep things small and light. The 2.3 isn't all that small and def not light, depending on the trim, they are heavier than the 2.8/2.9 V-6. 'Course the Turbo coupe 2.3 makes some decent HP to make up for the weight.

Just run a 2.3 Pinto (bobcat,Capri etc.) C-4 with a AA adaptor and a Dana 20 T-case from a Jeep. That'll give ya a pass drop.

Though this is an old thread, I gotta laugh when JPninAZ says he is doing the 2.3 to keep things small and light. The 2.3 isn't all that small and def not light, depending on the trim, they are heavier than the 2.8/2.9 V-6. 'Course the Turbo coupe 2.3 makes some decent HP to make up for the weight.

Hah, yeah, I hear ya there. But was talking more the t-case/tranny weight (if possible). Besides being much heavier than I hoped, the 2.3L turbo isn't necessarily 'small' either, being rather tall and long.

It's still sitting on the engine stand, but I'm going to be getting to it soon, so still thinking things over.. Thinking just keeping the t-5 that came with it and maybe using a divorsed d300 re-geared.

RE AKBroncoII: I don't want to keep the sami case with the low range reduction because then it's too much stress on the 4.10 toy axle gears. I'd rather have the gearing spread out. If it was going to be a trail-only vehicle, I'd just keep the sami case, regear the axles and be done. But I want to elliminate the high-range reduction because it's too much reduction for high-range (even if I keep the stock toy axles 4.10 gears)

Also, thanks to everyone that offered advice! I'm still considering some of the options here, and I keep playing the lottory in hopes I could just afford the 4speed atlas and have everything I want! :)

JP

check my build thread, im runnin a 2.3t with a np435 to a 1356 to a (soon) d300

check my build thread, im runnin a 2.3t with a np435 to a 1356 to a (soon) d300

Old thread but I would like to know how this worked out!!! I have a chance to get a turbo coupe for 400$ complete but need some more info on the tranny swaps. Can anyone ellaborate on the np435 swap? Thanks

Well, the motor is still stitting next to the samurai on the engine stand. 5+ years and counting..
I'll let you know when I get to it ;)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Timmay822/YJ%20Buggy%20Build/IMG_0467Large.jpg

Link to a 2.3Turbo build... TIMMAY'S RCROCKS CLASS 3 Buggy Build! (http://www.jeepin.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58952)

Old thread but I would like to know how this worked out!!! I have a chance to get a turbo coupe for 400$ complete but need some more info on the tranny swaps. Can anyone ellaborate on the np435 swap? Thanks

i never finished mine, my motor now lives in the back of a vw:D

but the easyest way to do a 435 is to use one of these

http://www.stinger-performance.com/Pics/AdapterPlate.jpg

http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Thanks a bunch! Ive always wanted to do this kind of swap and I getting closer!!! Another question is what input shaft? Also what clutch and flywheel and other accesories do I go with? I have googled myself stupid with this stuff and I just need pointed in the right direction.

This set up would be going in a wrangler chassis buggy type thing. What need to be taken from the Tbird to make it work? Sorry for all the questions but im ready to start tearing stuff apart. Thanks :D

The goal drivetrain is- 2.3turbo to np435 with a 203/205 doubler. Dana 60s and 40'' ltbs. Hope one day it comes true.

old racer trick #102... when building a 2.3 turbo drag car using a 5.0 trans, we would retain the 2.3 bellhousing, remove the input shaft from the t-5 and have the input shaft turned down in a lathe for the smaller 2.3 pilot bearing...

option 2, you can replace the pilot bearing with a bushing having the proper i.d. for the input and the proper o.d. for the crank... i cant remember the part number off the top of my head but i can find it for you tonite.

as for clutch you can simply use the flywheel the last poster's link has also available, a mustang pressure plate and match a clutch disc to the 435 splines.

old racer trick #102... when building a 2.3 turbo drag car using a 5.0 trans, we would retain the 2.3 bellhousing, remove the input shaft from the t-5 and have the input shaft turned down in a lathe for the smaller 2.3 pilot bearing...



the problem with that is the the 435 bell is about a inch shallower than the 2.3's t5 bell, you would need a input shaft for a 435 that is a inch longer. they are out there, just not the easyest to find.

the problem with that is the the 435 bell is about a inch shallower than the 2.3's t5 bell, you would need a input shaft for a 435 that is a inch longer. they are out there, just not the easyest to find.

Thanks again guys! So the the 435's 10 spline input will work but its a touch to long? Keep the info coming I need all the help I can get!!!!!

I have a friend who put in a 2300 ranger motor in his sami. He installed a np435 and made a custom adapter from a bronco dana20 spud shaft and toyota xfer shaft. Then a custom bellhousing from a 2300 with the bolt pattern for the 435 with a hydrualic slave. The input shaft has to be turned and a custom pilot bearing is needed too. Clutch is a stock ford from napa. It makes a good combo, short compact and strong with low gears. He could always make you one for the right price.:D