Bobb Horn

I installed a 95 Ranger rear, 3.7 gear, a little too low but worked good. Ranger is narrow, so added spacers...

I started a thread years ago of "5speed, not T5", when I started my TKO Ranger transmission install. I used a 37 or 38 bellhouse, Ranger clutch. the near 5inch bell hole was enlarged a small amount to fit the TKO. the 3.7 Ranger rear is a little to low, but does great in my steep driveway. 3.9 was too low, 3.5 Jeep may be the sweet spot. top end ratio is great with the 3.73. this photo the bell attached to my 56 engine for test fit.

Another option for a trans swap is the older Ford Ranger 5 speed, TKO, 1983 to 1988 I believe. I installed one in my 38 Coupe several years ago, still does very good, easy install, no adapter needed or welding involved. Also installed the Ranger rearend, 3.7, as the stock rear had a lower gear ratio, and a Explorer driveshaft.

both my 38s, and all three of my 37s had the same size size....

I use the Fram C-3 from the farm store, in my 38, and 48....about $10....

.....The last time I checked my mpg in my 38, was on a rod run with our local group. Filled up with fuel at start, we traveled 100 miles on secondary roads at mostly 50 to 60 mph checking with a gps. on the way home filled up with fuel with just a little over 3 gal. so a good 30 miles per gallon. the 5 speed trans made a very big difference, compared to 15 to 18 mpg around town with a 3 speed trans..

this is the rear that was on my 38 Coupe. To the left is a bracket I believe is the end for a panhard bar.

thanks Sniper, that is the thread. I used a 56 engine, and 36, 37, and 38 bellhousings, to try to make things fit.....

.....I had a thread on here several years ago, "5 speed, not T5",,,,when I first started experimenting with a 5 speed. It has worked out real good so far, easy to drive now.

I seen on ebay the fuel tanks for Jeep Wranglers looks to be a good fit. I believe they were around $100......

I understand the "roll back". Many years ago I pulled my 66 Plymouth 3 speed into the driveway, set the park brake. After dinner I came out and my Plymouth had rolled down the driveway, and up the neighbor's driveway. I got in, started the car, and it would not move until I released the E brake. I seen this happen on my Uncle's Chevy truck, and a neighbor's Ford truck. Apparently E brakes do not hold very long when parked on a upward slope......

"stock trans is busy with rpm".... What I mean is running my three different stock trans, at around 55mph, the engine is running at alot of rpm, around 3000 rpm best I can remember. With the 5 speed, I run around 2000rpm at 55 or so. Where I live, it is hilly, and some open roads. Lower gears are great on steep driveways, and some of my friends live in some difficult places. Much of my driving is on 55 and 60 speed limits. So the TK5 works great for where I live.

Stock is what is horrible, engine always busy with rpms, have to stop to go to first gear. I went through several stock three speeds before I went with the TK5. First is low with the 3.9 stock rear, and is still a little low with the 3.7 Ranger gear, but still worth it with some steep hills/driveways here in Va. 4th and 5th work great. Even a TK4 four speed would be better than my stock 3 speeds. My Coupe only has 82hp, so the trans makes it more enjoyable.....

My 1986 TK5 shifter is on the floor, have a bench seat, and it works great, after War cars should have no problem also....

I would have to agree, it would take me more than a morning to bolt in a 5 speed. The T5s are plentyful, and not expensive, and with a little research, or just ask on here, one will find there are a great number of different ratios available. The T5s do require, in most cases, an adapter plate, and a little welding, but doable. Myself working on a budget, not because I need to, but because I wanted something no one else has done before, that I could find, desided to try the TK5, no adapter, and only a small amount of changing. After going through three 3 speeds going bad, I did the TK5. The TK5 Ranger trans and parts are easy to find in most areas and not expensive. I paid less than $100 for each trans, and $25 for the mill work on one. I, as many others, do not worry about "collectability", only that we enjoy what we do with what we have.

Wow, amazing. The TK5s are from 1983 to 1987 Rangers. I found a third trans for free, and gave that to a Plymouth friend. The Rangers had a 4 speed version also, just no 5th gear......

I was considering a T5 mid 80s S10 thanks to all the information Don Coatney put on here how to do it. I found a TK5 mid 80 Ranger at the same time and after a little research decided to try it. So for $50, for one, and $75 for the second as a back up, it worked. No adapter, just mill either the 5 inch hole in the bell or mill the aluminum trans front cover to fit the 5 inch hole, easy. Floor shift, just bend a little and add another few inchs since I have a bench seat, no cost. Driveshaft, after some research and experimenting with making my own, I found 3 driveshafts for about $10 each, two fit very good. I had two Ranger rears at no cost, one with a 3.2 gear, and one with the 3.7, one too high gear, and a little too high, but works good. If one is working on a budget, or just wants a challenge, study the TK5. After 10 years of of using the TK5, very glad I did......

I made up an adapter on the Plymouth 3.9 rear, and a shortened Ford driveshaft just see how the setup would. worked good, but was sure some granny gears there. The picture before was my mock up, of the setup behind my 56 Dodge engine.

I installed a TK5 Ford Ranger trans into my 38 several years ago. Not too difficult project. Used the Ford disc, Plymouth pressure plate. No adapter needed. The TK5 is the 1983 to 1987 Toyo Kogyo trans. Has worked nice with the 95 Ranger 3.7 rear, but would be better with my Jeep 3.5 rear. My mpg doubled with this setup.

With my 38, I decided to paint it myself when I retired. I had painted a few cars over the years with good results. Being in no rush makes the jobs go alot better. Not much cost in material 15 years ago.....

I installed a 1995 Ford Ranger rearend into my 38 Coupe. The Ranger rear is less in width, so I use spacers to make the rear fit the Coupe. My Coupe had a 3.9 rear that was too low geared, and the Ranger rear is 3.7 that is better but still to low, and am not a fan of using spacers, so my next step is or was to use the 98 Jeep 3.5 rear, better fit, and not using any spacers . The driveshaft I used was from a Explorer 2wd. My Coupe is a lot smaller/lighter than a 47 Desoto, so like comparing apples and oranges...

Here is my setup from several years ago. a TKO 5 speed Ranger trans 36 7 or 8 Plymouth or Dodge bell housing, attached to my flathead. 3.73 ranger rear, that is a little too low geared, but does good, 3.55 should do better. I used the Plymouth pressure plate, ranger clutch disc. the only machine work, I had done was to machine the front trans retaining cover to match the Plymouth bell housing hole of near 5 inch. this process was more simple than the T5, with no adapter, or welding required.

I am very happy with my setup, 82 hp, 218, tko ranger 5 speed from a 1987, 3.73 rear from a 95 ranger. I live in hilly virginia, so the 3.73 rear works good, but I believe a 3.55 rear would be better on the highway, even though I can cruise at 60mph with no strain on the drive train. In our little town, the coupe handles stop and go, up and down, with ease, and is a pleasure to drive with the changes...

I believe there would be an issue with the starter and flywheel spacing being a little different also.