I am looking at a 1995 4x2 plane jane xl PSD manual tranny with 170k miles. I have driven this truck a couple of times and it runs very strong. The truck is red and in very nice shape with very little rust and the interior is very nice. This truck does have a couple issues.
1. The truck runs very strong, but once and a while the check engine light comes on and causes the truck to run rough. The check engine light might stay on for a minute or 15 minutes but then it will go off and you have all you power again and it runs smooth again. You might get 1 or 2 hours of driving down the road before it comes on for a short period of time. I have not had it checked out yet since I am still debating on the truck.

2. The transmission shifts through the gears just fine, but when you go to downshift it will not let you go back into 2nd gear, you can downshift into any other gear, but it will grind if you try to go back down into 2nd gear.

I can buy this truck for $2500.00, but I am a little afraid of the cost of fixing these two problems.
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks.

 

my best advice is to get the coads read, 1 sounds like posibly a bad cps or under valve cover harness the transision i have no idea somone else can chime in on that one.

 

1. Sounds like a CPS going bad. Easy & cheap fix.

2. The synchronizer for 2nd is gone. It can be replaced (tranny pulled and sent to a shop) or when you are down shifting you can just go to neutral from 3rd, release the clutch and bring the RPM's up (rev the engine a little), depress the clutch and then **** into 2nd (like double clutching). This might be something that will get the owner to come down on the price some.

With a little practice it can be done quick and smooth. On our trucks when slowing down (unless you have a heavy load) 3rd will pull off from about 12 MPH. I know a couple of people that have bad 2nd gear synchronizers and drive their trucks all the time with no problem. This would not stop me from buying the truck if everything else is O.K. and the price is right.

Hope this helps some.

 

it is the 2nd gear synchronizer in the tranny that is making it grind. before you buy it theck the tranny oil and make sure that there is NOT 80-w90 gear oil in the tranny. gear oil in these transmissions will kill them within a thousand miles. its a common mistake with ford transmissions. they are supposed to have red atf in there or very light motor oil. if it has gear oil in it, plan on buying a new tranny. change the oil and see if that doesnt help the grinding gears. you will be able to tell a difference immediately after changing oil

 

takes only 4 qts to change the tranny oil and a 7/8 and a 17mm wrench. easy and cheap

 

Thanks for all the replies. I had the truck check engine light checked out this morning and the mechanic said it is the #7 injector.

I am curious as to why this would not be a constant problem? The truck runs very strong until the check engine light comes on but it is very intermittent and at that time apparently the #7 injector must be failing.

I also called the local ford dealer here in town and they quoted me $350.00 for the injector and $160.00 to install it. I am sure I can probably pick up and injector of the internet for much less.

TIA.

 

If it is the injector misfiring it could be because of bad UVC (Under Valve Cover) wiring, the connector on the valve cover gasket or the connector on the end of the engine harness. Check all of these before buying a new injector. Also see if you can find a local diesel mechanic to do work instead of the Ford dealer. The dealers are way overpriced on labor and parts. Also if you can turn a wrench, with all of the guys & girls on here we can pretty much walk you through any repair and save you tons of money.