I am a recent owner of a 1983 ford ranger. 2.8 liter engine. 6 cylinder. Automatic transmission. I am trying to locate where I can fill the transmission fluid and where I can locate how to fill the coolant. Any other advice anyone has for this truck would be tremendously helpful. I have trouble finding any parts as it is an 83.

 

Pretty basic..........ATF goes in the trans. dipstick tube, coolant in the radiator. (be certain it's cool before opening)
There should be no trouble finding parts for the old Rangers, there are still millions of them on the road.

 

Thank you as far as the transmission should I be dropping the pan and cleaning everything out? And when it comes to looking for parts where would I start? It's the other years that would be compatible with the 83 parts? I know that when I go to my regular auto parts store they don't usually have advice on what to get our where to go for parts for such an old truck. Then again most of the employees are younger and have more knowledge on newer model vehicles.

 

Wouldn't be a bad idea to have a trans service (fluid and filter) done, you never know how long it's been.
The 2.8 is a great engine...........as long as you ALWAYS keep watch on oil level and coolant level and regularly service it, it is NOT forgiving of negligent owners in the least, keep it happy, it will keep you happy. It also requires a valve lash adjustment every 60,000 mile, something most owners never do, and then reap the consequences.
As for parts, I have never found a part that NAPA does not have, or can order for my 84.

 

Remember the 2.8L engine is only Ford engine that I know of that has a thermostat in the lower hose, so it is difficult to fill the cooling system and purge all the air out. Been a long time since I did this, but I seem to remember filling the engine coolant by taking both hoses off the radiator and filling the engine through the upper hose until it won't take anymore. Then install the upper hose to the radiator and fill the lower hose until it won't take any more and then install the lower hose to the radiator, then fill the radiator until it won't take anymore, run the engine with the cap off until lots of air purges out of the heater core or any other place once the coolant heats up enough to open the thermostat. You might have to do this heat up and purge a couple times to make sure no air remains in the system. Someone else may have a simpler 2.8L filling procedure, but like I said, it's been a while since I did this.

 

I just fill mine through the upper hose, then re-connect and fill the radiator.
Keep an eye on it for a couple drives to town, add some coolant, and all is well.
I also check the overflow bottle once a week when checking the oil, to see if level stays consistent.
Lifting the hood once a week, got me 315,000 mostly trouble free miles out of my 2.8