Marrying my Atlas to my Manual Tranny.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

I currently have a km132 tranny with a divorced Atlas but it is giving more vibrations than I like at high speeds and it's hard to keep aligned, so I have hatched an evil to marry my Atlas to a manual Mitsubishi tranny with out any adapters.

The plan is to use an FM145 or FM146 found in a Ford Ranger with a detatchable bellhousing and mate it to the engine using the proper 4D55 bell housing Ford used back in the 80's. I will need a flywheel and starter from a 2.3 gas Ford Ranger. The clutch is the same. The input shart should be correct if the the donor tranny was mated to the 2.3 gas ranger. I will send my Atlas back to Advanced adapters and they will rework it so it will bolt onto the back of the FM transmission. The only detail I still need to work out is the speedo, the the Atlas has accomodations for the speedo, so I am not worried.

So, am I missing anything or does this seem doable.

[sneakyninja]

Again KM148/AW2 Easiest swap in the world and everything will bolt up and if you are dead set on manual shifting you can get a shift control from http://radesignsproducts.com/default.aspx

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Originally Posted by sneakyninja

Again KM148/AW2 Easiest swap in the world and everything will bolt up and if you are dead set on manual shifting you can get a shift control from http://radesignsproducts.com/default.aspx

I think I will stick with the Manual because I enjoy driving a manual. It also helps on the fuel milage. I know people complain about their KM145 taking a crap at 225K miles but I think they are pretty solid trannies and my tranny guy said he has several tricks up his sleeve to make it bullet proof. He builds rigs for the KOH so I hope he knows how to make it stand up to hard wheeling.

Another issue I see with the KM148 is the flexplate and starter. Becasue the diesel has a 21:1 I need a heavyduty start and the KM148 does not have a heavy duty starter. I am sure I could make it work but I would have to order parts from Canada or the UK.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Bought a couple bellhousings for the swap. These will mate my 4D55 engine to an FM145 transmission, which will then marry to my Atlas. Goodby divorced Atlas.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

More parts are on order for this tranny swap, I will post them up when I get them. This swap is pretty complex but it can all be done without any adapters.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

More parts, these are the parts that are needed to convert my Atlas II from a divorced case to a case that will marry an FM145. I have a new retainer, input shaft and some seals. Also pictured is my new bellhousing.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Brown Santa dropped by my FM145 transmission today
I am now one step closer to making this a reality.

I also bought a new shifter from Ford so that it shifts smooth.

[4D55 Performance Inc]

So I married the FM145 to my Atlas tcase and with the help of a friend we mocked it into place and built a tranny mount. I still have a few issues to sort out like the slave cylinder connection. But for the most part, it looks really good. I also need to get an adapter for the Speedo. I also had to use BFH to clearence the tunnel.












Speedo cable connection

[88mitsu]

lookin baller

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Thanks,


It took the better part of Monday for two of us to remove the old tranny, completely disassemble and reassemble the Atlas so it would marry to the FM145 tranny and then mock it all into place. We came across an issue with the flywheel. We could not locate the correct flywheel. We also had issues with the Tuff pan I got from PLH, but he is taking care of that for me as we speak. I am hoping to pick up the driveshafts tomorrow. I am building the fiberglass fenders in my garage as we speak. I hope it gets done sooner rather than later.

[scrudeman]

Originally Posted by sneakyninja

Again KM148/AW2 Easiest swap in the world and everything will bolt up and if you are dead set on manual shifting you can get a shift control from http://radesignsproducts.com/default.aspx

Is there a thread that details this swap?? I want to do this to my D-50

(sorry for the hi-jack)

[cj7sswampers]

Originally Posted by 4D55 Performance Inc

Brown Santa dropped by my FM145 transmission today
I am now one step closer to making this a reality.

I also bought a new shifter from Ford so that it shifts smooth.

Looks nice, it'll look better in the truck!

[4D55 Performance Inc]

It looks great in the truck but Iam currently waiting on a larger clutch master cylinder from Wilwood because the OEM Mistsubishi clutch master cylinder does not have enough displacement to disengage the clutch. It should be here to today or Monday. Hopefully that's all I need to get it back on the road.