I have a 1985 Ranger 4x4 with a 2.8L, A4LD automatic transmission.
There are few problems with it...

First... You cannot shift from P to D and expect it to work. You have to shift from P to R, let it engage - then shift to D, otherwise you just here some spinning in the tranny, but nothing engages.

Second... when cold and gear selector is in D it will not shift out of first, so you have to manually shift until it warms up.

Third... No gears will engage when gear selector is in OD. The only time it will go into 4th is when travelling over 55MPH you can shift from D to OD and it will engage. Once you slow down past 50-55 MPH it disengages again and you have to put it back in D. If you are going down the freeway and get off the ramp without putting it back in D and letting 3rd engage you will be stuck at the end of the off-ramp listening to your transmission spinning but nothing engageing no matter where you put the gear selector. In this case you have to shut the ignition off, wait a few seconds - turn it back on, put it in R, let it engage and then put it in D again. Strange.

Other than those annoyances - it never slips or anything like that.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I read something on usatransdoctor.com that suggests replacing the Vehicle Speed Sensor if you have no 4th gear... What do you guys think?

Thanks, Jeff

 

Have you checked the ATF level?

I had partly the same problems as you had. Filled it up (needed it badly...) and now it works much better.

 

ATF level is fine... I was thinking about going down and having it flushed out and re-filled.