1988 Ranger - Need help identifying drivetrain part

[opijmee]

Hello! So I was puttering along as usual in my trusty 90hp 2.3 on the highway when I heard something hit the bottom of my truck and started feeling some crazy vibrations coming from the trans as I went along, also saw smoke and smelled burning trans fluid. Made it home, checked the car and noticed,

So clearly something is wrong here, I've looked online already and from I've gathered it seems that the driveshaft flex coupler has just completely disintegrated. I wanted to post onto here and double check with you guys, since I can find a replacement part anywhere. Seems like alot of rangers didn't even have this, but the real problem is that since its so messed up, the seal that is connected to the trans doesn't seem like its held in anymore so trans fluid is the everywhere on the undercarriage of the truck (and not in the transmission!)

So if anyone knows where I can get a replacement or even better if they have product numbers that I could look up that would be amazing. Or if anyone knows a way around this so my truck won't pee out all its trans fluid when I drive that would also be great. Thanks again.

Its 2wd btw
Also sorry in advance if this is the wrong area to post this help request.


Courtesy of @Brain75, a part # that he found that should fit would be GA000-094, the bolts holes are 10mm instead of the stock 12 so drill out 10mm to 12mm. His full post is on page 4 of this thread.

 

[Curious Hound]

Wow! I didn’t know they had those. This is probably what you’re trying to find.

 

[SenorNoob]

I've never heard of such a thing before. That's different.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

That’s pretty wild…

Sounds like a flex coupler and a rear seal for the trans are needed, as long as it didn’t destroy something else. Dunno if there’s a bearing in the tail shaft area that might need replaced. Is there a U-joint on the axle end of that driveshaft? Wonder if it might be worth getting a different transmission and a real driveshaft…

 

[AHenry014]

I assume this truck is an extended cab and has a center support bearing?

 

[opijmee]

Thanks for the replies, yes it does have a U-joint at the axle end and it is indeed extended cab with a center support bearing. It's a 2 piece driveshaft and I'm debating on whether or not to just replace it or try to hunt down this apparently obscure part.

 

[Curious Hound]

Thanks for the replies, yes it does have a U-joint at the axle end and it is indeed extended cab with a center support bearing. It's a 2 piece driveshaft and I'm debating on whether or not to just replace it or try to hunt down this apparently obscure part.

I just hunted down your obscure part.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

For approximately $100 I'd be inclined to rebuild.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That’s pretty wild…

Sounds like a flex coupler and a rear seal for the trans are needed, as long as it didn’t destroy something else. Dunno if there’s a bearing in the tail shaft area that might need replaced. Is there a U-joint on the axle end of that driveshaft? Wonder if it might be worth getting a different transmission and a real driveshaft…

That was my first reaction too, but if it lasted 36 years...

 

[Curious Hound]

My 1985 Mercedes 300sd had a shaft coupling like that. I replaced it when I did the carrier bearing. But it still would have gone a good while longer. That was a heavy car with the OM617 turbo diesel.

 

[opijmee]

I just hunted down your obscure part.

I actually looked up the part from the picture that you posted but the NAPA website says its supposed to fit Chrysler vehicles, although if you know that it will fit I'll take your word for it. Could always return it if it doesn't fit.
And yeah, I was calling up some junkyards to see if they had any rangers with a driveshaft that would fit mines, just so I won't have to worry about a rubber thing going to crap and saying bye-bye to my trans fluid.

 

[opijmee]

Hey, so just wanted to update this, I went to a local napa earlier today, got the part and tried installing it but it unfortunately does not fit. It's very close but the bolt holes on the coupler don't line up with those on the slip yoke. I've tried searching for a flex coupler that would fit on my ranger but I can't seem to find the right one anywhere. Gonna bring it back to napa with the yoke to see if they can help me there but if that doesn't work then I guess its time for a new driveshaft.

 

[Brain75]

When you go back be sure to call it a "Giubo"

Driveshaft flex disc, Guibo?

88 2.9 2wd extra cab, having a hard time locating a replacement driveshaft flex disc, found a reference to a BMW/Beck Arnley part (#103-2103) that is claimed to be a replcement. Anyone have experience finding one of these? Not wanting to swap to a one piece shaft at this time. (picture not...

www.therangerstation.com

I kid you not...

Giubo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From the fact that is like the 3rd appearance in 25 years of TRS I kinda have to wonder if it really is a transplant from somewhere else in all 3 cases??? Maybe only the KC plant did them for 6 months before someone found out and said "not the right way" or somethin...


Based on what several people say (they are designed to eliminate vibrations in your BMW when you are doin' 200km/h on the autobahn), I think they are totally not required for a pickup.


No u-pick-it yards left in jersey? driveshaft costs about the same as that part out here... I'd eliminated it if I was here.


another search term for the parts counter geeks to hunt would be "Rag Joint"

Rag joint - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Brain75]

FWIW, I really really searched and my google-foo is pretty good. I kinda have to wonder if some ford "performance" / "sports" car (like a probe) or something that actually called for that part listed it for that motor (2.3), and so the factory put em in for a couple weeks before some supervisor said no the 2.3 gets the flex coupler in the car but not the truck - and never ever ever did it appear in a parts listing for the truck. At this point I would start looking at parts lists for 1988 2.3L ford cars just to see if I could find it out of frustration. There is a guy on FTE (Ford Truck Enthusiasts ford-trucks.com) who goes by the handle NumberDummy - he could find it in a second.... 35 years behind the parts desk.


I misread that part price... holy shite, I could buy 4.5 driveshafts for that out of the 'yard here in Colo.

Alter Trading

www.atwoodautoandmetal.com

 

[Brain75]

my google foo just wouldn't stop itching... one more search:

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

edit: closing all the tabs I had open, when i went to close that I noticed it says "steering" ... which all kinds of vehicles use those for steering so probably yet another misfire.

this one at least says driveshaft:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/dorman-oe-solutions/cv--driveshaft---axle/drive-shaft-flex-joint-coupler-damper/e7af5986111f/dorman-oe-solutions-steel-rubber-flexible-coupling/doe0/935103/v/a/5515/automotive-truck-1988-ford-ranger?