Engines

• The A4LD four-speed automatic, and two Mitsubishi and one Mazda five-speed manual transmissions were factory equipment for the 1992 Ford Ranger. Application of any of the transmissions depended on the engine size. For example, the Mazda M50D-R1 five-speed manual fit 2.3-liter four-cylinder engines and 2.9-, 3- and 4-liter V-6s. The 2.3-liter developed 100 horsepower and 133 foot-pounds of torque. The 2.9-liter generated 140 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. The 3-liter V-6 wielded 145 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque. The 4-liter V-6 had 160 horsepower and 220 foot-pounds of torque. The Mitsubishi FM132 and FM146 five-speed manuals matched only the 2.9-liter in-line fours. The A4LD four-speed automatic transmission complemented 2.8-liter and larger engines.
  
  

A4LD

• The A4LD four-speed automatic transmission was an original optional automatic for the 1992 Ranger. It employs an electronic-controlled torque converter lockup clutch. Ford equipped its Rangers and Explorer sport utility vehicles with the 28.7-inch-long A4LD. This transmission, however, is prone to premature wear of the converter hub, the converter seal and bell housing bushing. Ford didn't initiate major upgrades until after 1992, so a swap of a post-1993 may be an option over keeping the original.
  
  

Mitsubishi Manuals

• The Mitsubishi FM132 "D" and FM146 "D" five-speed manuals were light-duty transmissions equipped to handle the 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine. The FM132 fits two-wheel drive 1992 Rangers and the FM146 matches four-wheel drives.
  
  

Mazda Manual

• The much sturdier Mazda M50D-R1 five-speed manual featured an aluminum case. It matches all 1992 Rangers with 2.9-liter and larger engines, but it can also hook up to the 2.3-liter Lima four-cylinder. However, the throw-out bearing tends to wear, resulting in the slave cylinder not completely releasing the clutch. This causes hard shifting into first and reverse, and creeping when the transmission is in gear.
  
  

C4 and C5 Automatics

• The C4 and C5 three-speed automatic transmissions were not part of the Ford Ranger lineup, and, in fact, predated the factory-installed automatics on 1992 models. Ford produced the C4 from 1964 to 1980 and the C5 from 1981 to 1986. The C4 is 17 inches long without the bell housing. Ranger enthusiasts commonly swap both transmissions, especially in 4-liter V-6s and some custom V-8s. Aftermarket Ford part dealers sell adapter kits to install the C4 or C5 in 1992 models.
  
  

AOD

• The AOD four-speed automatic is another Ford transmission not originally available on the 1992 Ranger, but often serves as a replacement automatic. Owners must have a conversion kit available from an aftermarket parts shop to adapt the AOD to 1992 Rangers. The AOD measures 20.5 inches without the housing.