New Ranger Owner Needs Help
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New Ranger Owner Needs Help
Hi, I just bought a 2000 Ranger 2wd supercab 4d off ebay, i've already looked at the truck and its in great shape but im just wondering what i should look out for once i get it and what i should do as preventative maintenance, the truck has 75,000 miles on it, 3.0 V6 with a 5 Speed manual, engine seems to run real good and smooth with no noises and it seemed to me like it drives real good as well, but im new to manual transmissions, this one shifted okay when your drivin but it seemed to me like it was kinda hard to downshift slowing down for a stoplight or whatever, first gear seemed the hardest to get into, i just attributed it to my total lack of experience driving a manual and my buddy who was with me and has owned a few manual rangers said his were all the same so i dunno what to think, im goin to get the truck in a couple days and will have to drive it home a couple hours so i guess I'll get a better feel for it then, which transmission would this truck have in it?? the m5od i keep reading about or what? Anyways just wondering if this is something to be really concerned about or if im just being paranoid??
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Well first thing you ought to know is that that truck is currently under recall for some electrical issues, just bring it in to your ford dealer and it should take about 1/2 a day to get fixed. Its not critical either, i still havnt taken ours in. and ford foots the bill so dont let that be a deal killer.
The manual in my truck is the same way (course its pushin 18 years old) and my buddys 2003 ranger 5 speed is exactly the same as youve described when downshifting, so i doubt thats a big deal. Some trannys are just more difficult than others, its something you get used to really fast.
And no that is not the M5OD tranny, which was a 1/2 ton fullsize tranny (F150 and E150 applications only) My expertise is in larger trucks so you will have to wait for someone else to chime in with which tranny it is.
What are you going to be using this truck for? If its a commuter then your on the right track but i wouldnt sujest the 3.0 for anything more than light hauling. (the most we have done in my buddys '03 EDGE ranger is a 1/2 ton).
The manual in my truck is the same way (course its pushin 18 years old) and my buddys 2003 ranger 5 speed is exactly the same as youve described when downshifting, so i doubt thats a big deal. Some trannys are just more difficult than others, its something you get used to really fast.
And no that is not the M5OD tranny, which was a 1/2 ton fullsize tranny (F150 and E150 applications only) My expertise is in larger trucks so you will have to wait for someone else to chime in with which tranny it is.
What are you going to be using this truck for? If its a commuter then your on the right track but i wouldnt sujest the 3.0 for anything more than light hauling. (the most we have done in my buddys '03 EDGE ranger is a 1/2 ton).
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From: The 'Loops
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Thats exactly what i plan to use the truck for, basically just a commuter and an occasional light haul here and there, mostly just a 4 wheeler in the bed, this seems to be a good truck for that and i was hoping to get decent gas mileage out of it with the manual but the more i think about it im just praying theres nothing wrong with the tranny. thanks for the replies so far.
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
I have never figured out why people want to down shift when coming to a light. Put it in neutral and use your brakes. They are cheaper and easier to replace than a worn out clutch or broken gears. It certainly doesn't improve fuel economy. Then grab the gear you need and go. I only used downshifting when I was in a tight spot and needed all the braking I could get while driving an 18wheeler. Try 'playing' the lights and reduce the need to use any braking whatsoever. I did this while I was a truckdriver to save the wear and tear on both my rig and myself [less stress and fewer gears to jam]. The less down time on my rig the more money I made. I learned how to drive defensibly [a new word, coined by me, and you read it here first!] 
.
Your truck and your wallet will love you for it.
.Your truck and your wallet will love you for it.
Last edited by bazzman1953; Nov 14, 2007 at 10:12 PM.
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
And no that is not the M5OD tranny, which was a 1/2 ton fullsize tranny (F150 and E150 applications only) My expertise is in larger trucks so you will have to wait for someone else to chime in with which tranny it is.
1991-2000 Ranger/Explorer with the 4.0OHV engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual transmission used in Ranger/Explorer with this engine
chimed in
1991-2000 Ranger/Explorer with the 4.0OHV engine:
The Mazda M5OD-R1 is the only manual transmission used in Ranger/Explorer with this engine
chimed in
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[QUOTE=bazzman1953]I have never figured out why people want to down shift when coming to a light. Put it in neutral and use your brakes. They are cheaper and easier to replace than a worn out clutch or broken gears. It certainly doesn't improve fuel economy. Then grab the gear you need and go. I only used downshifting when I was in a tight spot and needed all the braking I could get while driving an 18wheeler.QUOTE]
Why do we use Compression braking? Because it saves fuel. Rather than constantly being on the gas or brakes, its a better use of momentum to use compression braking when approaching a stop or even turn thet requires slowing (2nd gear is my turning gear). lke you mentioned about playing the lights, i do the same with compression, trying to be down in 1st running on idle before i ever have to use the brake, makes traffic slightly less boring
Interesting about the tranny, i never knew that. So what does the -R1 indicate on the M5OD-R1? is that a lighter duty application (ha what an oxymoron, can a M5OD get any lighter duty!)
Why do we use Compression braking? Because it saves fuel. Rather than constantly being on the gas or brakes, its a better use of momentum to use compression braking when approaching a stop or even turn thet requires slowing (2nd gear is my turning gear). lke you mentioned about playing the lights, i do the same with compression, trying to be down in 1st running on idle before i ever have to use the brake, makes traffic slightly less boring
Interesting about the tranny, i never knew that. So what does the -R1 indicate on the M5OD-R1? is that a lighter duty application (ha what an oxymoron, can a M5OD get any lighter duty!)
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From: Southeastern Indiana
I don't down shift either. I just throw it in neutral and coast to the light and if the light turns green while I am coasting I just throw it in the gear I need at the time usually 2nd or 3rd.
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Alright thanks for the replies guys, i guess i will have to get used to driving a manual first and what methods of driving it work best for me, is there anything in particular i should do to this transmission maintenance wise to help prolong its life assuming it doesnt already have issues?
Posting Guru
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From: Dexter, MI
Check your fluid level and the three shift rail plugs at the top rear of the transmission. The plugs can dry out and leak. You may want to change the fluid in the transmission. Use ATF fluid - I'd recommend a synthetic. And yes, you have the Mazda M5OD trans-
mission.
mission.
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Ok i did a little reading and found an article about checking the rubber plugs but how do i know when the tranny has enough fluid, is there a check bolt or something and could i check this out before i drive it home??
Posting Guru
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In all reality you dont have to worry too much. The M5OD isnt as bad as everyone says it is, unless you are doing alot of towing/ offroading and are somewhat competant at driving a stick it will be fine for a long life.