* M5OD-R2: A 5-speed manual transmission. This was very common.
* 4R44E/4R55E: A 4-speed automatic transmission. There's some overlap between these two; they're very similar. The exact designation would depend on the specific engine and options.
To know for *certain* which transmission is in a specific 1997 Ford Ranger XLT, you'd need to check:
* The vehicle's identification number (VIN): A VIN decoder (many are available online) can tell you the original transmission.
* The build sheet (if available): This would definitively list the transmission.
* The transmission itself: Look for markings on the transmission case.
Without more information about the specific truck, it's impossible to say definitively.
