Hi All,

I have a 1983 4x4 Ford Ranger (Locking Hubs) that recently started having transmission issues.

- If I shift into first will just sit there, no motion - but with a little tap on the gas it will roll (and continue to roll until I hit the brake).

- If I get it up to about 20-30km per hour it sounds (and feels) like it wants to shift into second but doesn't.

- If I shift into reverse it will not move at all unless I hit the gas hard and even then you can feel that it doesn't want to move - when I take my foot off the gas it abruptly stops in a jerking motion as if I was riding my brake (which is not stuck)

- I can push the truck forward in neutral and it will roll

- I put it up on blocks and can freely spin all the tires


If anyone has anything to suggest (or that I could try) before dropping a any $$$ on this I'd appreciate it as I don't really want to spend too much as the age / condition of the truck.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Taylor

ps: Great forum!

 

5 speed or auto?

 

my first guess is: check the fluid level. the auto boxes are sensitive to being a quart low. Also check fluid color, magenta is perfect, red is not so good and brown is bad. Smell your fluid. it shouldn't smell like it is burnt.

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the quick replies 02FX45.4 and piotrsko

- It is an automatic

- The fluid is full as we actually changed it but funny you mention the red fluid colour - which (as I recall) it is a bright red. It is possible that the store gave me the wrong fluid for my truck - would using the wrong type of fluid cause these issues?

I will get new fluid and try that first first thing tomorrow.


Again, thanks 02FX45.4 and piotrsko for the quick replies - I really appreciate it!

I'll keep you posted!

Taylor

 

When you changed the tranny fluid, did you also drop the pan to change the tranny filter?????
If not & it's clogged up, the tranny pump can't make pressure to properly operate things.

What kind of condition was the old fluid in & if you have dropped the pan, what kind of deposits & how much in the way of sludge, gum, varnish, or other debris was noticed?????

 

Hi Pawpaw,

Thanks for you reply!

- No, we did not change the filter - we just changed the fluid as it was low at the time and we figured that we'd change it vs. just topping it off in hopes that it might help solve the problem.

- The old fluid did look dirty and based on that I would agree that there is probably lots of debris that needs to be cleaned out.


I will research how to drop the pan and change the filter today as I have never done this before. Any tips or tricks you may have about this would be greatly appreciated.

This is a great forum - I really appreciate all your help guys!

Thanks again,
Taylor

 

BTW, welcome to FTE. Seeing as how you like to turn your own wrenches, be sure to visit the Rangers "Tech Info" thread atop the thread listing page, as it has lots of helpful wrench turning info there.

From the bottom of our "Tech Info" thread, here is a link to how I do all my vehicles Full tranny fluid pumpouts & from the condition you said your fluid was in, it sounds like it could use a pan drop, cleaning, filter change & FULL fluid pumpout, so you get all of the old oxidized fluid out of the pan, valve body, torque converter, cooler & lines. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-pump-out.html Let us know how it goes.

 

another comment to make: Check the trans when it has warmed up a bit. the lines to the cooler will suck up about 1/2 to 3/4 quart when it is routed there. Mine would run funny after it went down the street and around the corner, but the "overfill" of 1 quart fixed that problem. Turns out it wasn't an "overfill", but proper level.

 

Hey all,

Just wanted to leave a quick update:

- The Canadian Tire in my city (Chatham Ontario) did not give me the correct fluid last time as this time they said their system could not even find it - typical, they've never been very reliable!

- Called 3 other places to get a transmission kit to replace my filter etc. and all said they had to order it in due to the year of the truck (1983) so I have ordered the parts and am currently awaiting for them to arrive.

I will definitely get back to you all with an update ASAP.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all your help!!!

Taylor

 

Hello All,

There is no where near my home town that has in stock (nor can order) the parts I need to get my truck running!

So .. I was wondering if anyone could help me out in finding a Transmission Kit for a 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4!?

The main question I have been asked every time is if it had 11 or 15 bolts holding the pan up -- I have 11.

- 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4 6 cylinder
- 11 Bolts holding the pan in place
- 2.9 (although I have been asked if 2.8) litre motor


All I really need is a phone number to ANY company that can ship the parts to Canada and I can do the rest.


Again, thanks in advance - I appreciate any help anyone might have!

Taylor

 

I've had good luck with RockAuto - It looks like they ship to Canada...

RockAuto Auto Parts

service@rockauto.com

1-866-ROCKAUTO (762-5288) (608) 661-1376

 

You will have the carbuerated 2.8 V-6 in a 83, 2.9 did not show up until 86.
You will have either the C-3 or C-5 automatic trans.
Wish I could help more, but I have never owned a Ranger with a slush box trans.

 

Hello All,

Again, thanks for all the input from everyone on this site - very helpful!

- Furyus1, I contacted Rock Auto as you suggested and they did in fact have the parts I needed. $11 for the part and $30 for shipping! So thank you very much for the tip!

- Old93junk, the information you provided is great! For the last year now, every time I contact a parts company I have a 5 minute debate on whether it is a 2.8 or a 2.9 litre motor and it never ends the same way twice! This is exactly the information I needed to direct the store to the correct parts - so thank you very (very) much!

From here ... Rock Auto said approximately 2 weeks for shipping so once the parts arrive and I get my wrenches out I will get back online with an update.

You guys are great!

Thanks again,
Taylor

 

Did that tranny have an external shift modulator valve? If so, now would be the time to replace it.

 

Hey Bazzman1953,

>>Did that tranny have an external shift modulator valve?

Not sure... How could I tell?
- do i need to do this while I have the tranny pan down or can i do it after the filter change?
- is this a hard thing to change?

Info:
- 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4 6 cylinder
- 11 Bolts holding the pan in place
- 2.8 litre motor

I will do a little research and get back to you.

Thanks for the info Bazzman1953!

Taylor