I have a 1987 Ford Ranger V6 2.9L and was trying to figure out what type of transmission i have. I believe its not the original and all i have are these numbers and i cant seem to find anything. i was hoping someone here could help. The numbers are: F17A
PA
A083957

Please help me

 

The F17A should be the 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 transmission. This is one of the 9 different transmissions Ford used in the 1983-1988 Ranger/BII's. Which one a Ranger/BII got was normally determined by the engine (4 or 6 cyl, gas or diesel) and 2 or 4 WD. The transmissions offered were as follows:


Manual transmissions:

4-speed Toyo Kogyo TK4 (I had this in my 83 Ranger 2WD with the 2.0 gasser)
5-speed Toyo Kogyo TK5
5-speed Mitsubishi FM132
5-speed Mitsubishi FM145
5-speed Mitsubishi FM146 (I had this in my 88 Ranger 4WD with the 2.9 gasser)
5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1


Automatic transmissions:

3-speed C3
3-speed C5
4-speed A4LD

 

Thank you so much!! Mine is a 4x4 so would it still be the Mazda M5OD-R1 or the one you had in your 88

 

Yours still could be the Mazda M5OD-R1. I had a S/C XLT 4X4 w/Auto-Lock hubs. There were so many different combo's that Ford used. Do you have a Regular cab or S/C and then what model/Trim? Heck, my 83 Ranger regular cab plain-Jane came with the 2.0L 4-Cyl gasser and was special ordered by a company with LS 3:08 gears. They ordered 1 too many and I got it brand new for $6500 (Tax included) out the door. The LS with 3:08 gears aren't even listed. Just about every engine/tranny combo for 1983-1988 (1st Gen) had their own bell housing and the shifters were almost never interchangeable.