OT Ranger problems

[OldRedFord]

So grass cutting season is in full swing here. That means I am back to puling my landscaping trailer around. My truck had been doing fine until I had hauled some furniture for a friend 90 miles one way. Trip went fine untill I went to back up the driveway to the garage. Soon as the back tires of my truck hit the transition from road to driveway the transmission slipped HARD. Its not like it was a steep driveway either, were talking maybe 10 to 15 degrees from horizontal.

Then today I went to a house to start a landscaping job I am doing. Due to traffic on the neighborhood street and cars parked in the road I decided it best to back up into the customers driveway. Same thing again this time, but after the transmission let loose the first time I assumed my rear tire had started to spin in the gravel so I kicked it in to 4cx4 and put my foot in it. Then the second time the transmission let loose I realized it was the transmission and stopped. Not much of a incline to the driveway and just had my mower on the trailer. I would think a Ranger with a 4.0 could handle backing 2000 lbs of mower and trailer up a slight incline. Leaving the job I now notice chatter in 3rd gear and at one traffic light taking off from a stop the transmission slipped in 2nd.

To be clear, when I say "let loose" the feeling is comparable to what you feel when you get wheel hop in 4x4.

About to roll 160,000 on the clock.

[69rangerf100]

Tim,

i would check to see if there are any tranny recalls for your year model. worse case senario you have to get the tranny rebuilt sounds like you are having gear transition issues

[fordman]

add fluid to the transission. it is probably low.

[thorn1968]

add fluid to the transission. it is probably low.

assuming it's an automatic. I had a problem with my dd slipping in and out of 1st gear, and not shifting into od...turned out to be my alternator!!!

[cdeal28078]

Check the fluid 1st of course. I have heard of a lot of those models having tranny problems. Do a search on them and see what you find before spending any money
clint

[michael69]

A buddy had simlar problem and it was torq convertor.

[71fordkid]

If you want to know about recalls, PM me your VIN and I can run it. I work for Ford.

[OldRedFord]

Opps. It is a 4.0 4x4 with the auto transmission. 5r55e to be exact. Seems these autos have known issues with the valve body. The transmission was rebuilt four rears ago if I remember right.


Aside from that and the normal things that happen to a vehicle with age (one window motor is bad, the power lock switch is on its way out) truck fires right up every time and gets on down the road. Ive put this truck through hell and it keeps going.


Fluid is kind of a cherry color and smells normal.

Im not sure how good Blue Book is now days but for "fair condition" (meaning it runs and drives but needs attention) $6300. Doubt I would get that but I do believe I could get $4500.

I think I would rather sell then repair. Biggest reason being no money to pay to have the transmission rebuilt.

Four scenarios in front of me...

I sell the Ranger alone and use that money to buy another truck
I sell both the Ranger and F100 off.
I sell the Ranger and get the F100 road worthy and drive it till I have $8000 or so saved up to buy a used truck in full with cash. Might be my best bet even tho I am fully aware that 460 is going to not pass a gas station.

My dad thinks I should buy a new truck. Hes never bought anything but new in his life. I refuse to have another payment to come up with. I would rather buy a truck in full with cash.

Right now I am wishing I had not started tinkering around with that old 1984 F250 I had, I bet I would still be driving it.

This is what $1500 had gotten....

1984 F250 6.9L IH diesel, 4 speed, 4x4. AC even.

Im pretty much trying to find another one, or even a F350 variant if the condition and price are right.

I may go auto again, the old 6.9's and 7.3s had a C6 behind them. Pretty simple as autos go.

I just saw a 1986 F350 flatbed welding rig on CL for $2500. Hobart welder and a crane. Hmmmm.....
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2243335345.html