LucasYost

I have a 1996 auto XJ and I recently acquired a 1998 Ford Ranger [bad engine, sat for 5 years and now it is beyond repair] with a M5OD manual transmission. I've been wanting to swap a manual in for quite some time and now I have a full donor vehicle which I acquired for FREE. I have a few questions before considering this swap:

How compatible is the M5OD with the AMC 4.0L?
What would I need to buy in order to make them compatible?
How much is the difference in size and what issues will it cause?
What would be the cost of new parts I would potentially have to buy?
Do you recommend just trading the trans for something more compatible?
About how much time would this take?
What would be the most challenging aspect to this swap?

Any other opinions and suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks

5speedZJ

Just want to add real quick, you do know that the 4.0 V6 in the ranger is NOT the same engine as the 4.0 I6 in your jeep, right?

LucasYost

Yes, I am fully aware of that, that's why I am wondering of compatibility and other issues that may come up, and whether or not it can actually be done without extreme amounts of money and time.

SatiricalHen

I believe the easiest and cheapest way would be to just find an ax-15 transmission from another Cherokee.

LAF1269

I don't think it would work and would probably take "extreme" amounts of both to make it happen.

5speedZJ

Doesn't mean you can't try it!

andrewmp6

Part the ranger out and use the money for your jeep,Using the trans will cost you more then you think.No one makes a adapter so you would have to make your own.Also have to make a adapter if you want to use your jeeps t case.Then you got 2 driveshafts to be made which are 350 up each.And make a crossmember to hold the trans t case combo.For that same 700 bucks you could buy a parts jeep and use it for the swap and scrap whats left.

cruiser54

this^^.

LucasYost

Thanks for the response. I figured that it wouldn't be an easy swap, but just wanted to find out for sure. I will part out the Ranger after using some parts for other mods upgrades. I will try to find an AX15 and just swap that in. Thanks again for the advice.

andrewmp6

What parts are you going to use ?

LucasYost

I plan on doing a chop in the future, and the back of the cab and the window will work great. I plan on putting a seat up front in the middle, and the rear fold up seats will work great. I might use its mirrors and remount them so I can drive doorless, plus they're electric. Speakers... Who knows what I might find on the Ranger and decide it will work well as an upgrade or replacement.