What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Got the u-joint changed yesterday so I’m ready for the bad weather we are supposed to get. Or at least as ready as I can be right now

 

[sgtsandman]

Got the u-joint changed yesterday so I’m ready for the bad weather we are supposed to get. Or at least as ready as I can be right now

Spank the weather and it won"t be bad. DUH!

 

[Rick W]

So close and yet so far....

So, I was thinking about asking the redhead to pump the brakes for me and visions of an Arnold Terminator movie or Bronson’s Death Wish came to mind. Honestly, I joke, she’d help me anyway she can and she’s a sweet southern belle as sweet as sweet can be, but she’s got the memory of an elephant. She’d help with a gracious smile, but I’d never hear the end of “I helped Rick with the piece of junk he should sell and get...”

So, when I was sweating in bed at 5am thinking about it, I had an epiphany! I suspected the HF vacuum bleeder wasn’t working cuz air was leaking in past the bleeder screw threads. So, today I cleaned up the bleeder valve and put a 1” x 1/2” piece of Teflon tape on the threads and tried again. Sweet success and the redhead will never know!

So, then I pulled the single core sieve away from the fan and installed the new double core aluminum. I was so close, but the bottom neck on the new one went out at a 45 degree angle from the original. I rigged it just to see if everything was working, but I don’t trust it. But, A RUNNING RANGER IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!! But the bottom hose connection was stretched and sketchy, so a trip to NAPA tomorrow.

& finally a question for those wiser than me (pretty much anybody). Can you tell me which 5-speed manual this is? And what I really want to know is ATF or 80w90? It’s an 87 4WD 2.9 5-speed manual. Door sticker missing.

Oh, and the other final question: on my 97 4.0 2wd 5-speed manual, spec for the tranny is ATF. It has 312,000 miles, I’m pretty sure original tranny. A while back I had an 83 BMW 320i 4-speed and the tranny took 20w50. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the Ranger transmission, and there are no unusual noises, but the whole thing just seems loud. Not a whine, nothing I think is broken. I was wondering what you guys thought of putting 20 W 50 into one of these ranger five speeds to see if it quiets down. It’s just slightly higher viscosity over the temp range and I don’t think it’ll affect the synchro shifting. Thoughts?

 

[Rick W]

Is this it?

 

[sgtsandman]

Ranger manual transmissions take either gear oil or Mercon V. I'm pretty sure yours takes gear oil. The post you quoted confirms my gut feeling.

 

[Rick W]

Yes, thanks, thank you. I doubt myself, what makes sense, age is a curious thing....

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I was under the impression that the FM-145 had a dog leg shaped shifter and the FM-146 had a straight shifter. That looks like the trans in my choptop that I’m reasonably certain is a 146


*edit* ok, checked the tech pages, should be a 145 and 80-90w gear oil. 146 started in 88 but also takes 80-90w.

 

[Rick W]

Thank you, thank you!’

 

[Rick W]

87 4wd is sporting newly washed and shined shoes, but still up on jacks. I’ll post when it’s on the ground. Rainy here (and the day job), so little progress...

I was wondering still if anyone had thoughts on 20w50 in the 5-speed crunch box? There’s nothing specifically wrong and it doesn’t “roar,” I just know that after it warms up the tranny is louder than it should be.

& if this is a TRS liability issue - advising regarding putting the non-spec fluid in - I respect that, just let me know. I’m tempted and it’s a easy swap in and out, but input is always welcome. If there’s an alternative, I’m open to that too.

I remember a friend in high school who worked for a used car dealer and he told me about the guy sticking bananas in the transmissions, but they were automatic. Nothing like that here. I can think of much better fruits to use....

 

[racsan]

Years ago I had bought a rebuilt trans for my ‘93 ranger, it was a M5OD and the transmission came with a tag saying to use 5w30 motor oil. Im not sure why. I did do just that for a year then switched to penzoil syncromesh fluid, which Ive ran in every ranger manual since then , all M5OD’s.

 

[Rick W]

Thanks. I looked it up and together with the same spec Amsoil synchromesh manual tranny fluid, looks like a better step up from the ATF. Both mention several major car brands but not ford, not that I think that matters, I think I’m going to try it.

 

[Dirtman]

Both mention several major car brands but not ford, not that I think that matters

Did they mention Mazda or Mitsubishi?

 

[Rick W]

Applications
Use in automotive and light-truck applications that require synchromesh transmission fluid. Applications include manual transmissions and transaxles such as New Venture* NV T350, NV 1500, NV 2550, NV 3500, NV 3550, NV 5600, and Tremec* T4, T5, T18, T56, T176, TKO500, TKO600, TR 3450 and TR 3550. Replaces MTF-94 fluid for Land Rover*, MG*, and Mini Cooper*. Replaces Honda* Genuine MTF fluid for manual transaxles and Texaco* MTX fluid. Not for use in engines, hypoid rear axles, limited-slip or wet-clutch applications.

Specifications include:

Specifications

GM* 9985648
GM 9986105
GM 9985535
Chrysler* MS-9224
Chrysler MS-9417
Part Numbers

GM 12345349 or 12345577
GM 12377916
GM 1052931
Chrysler 4874464
Chrysler 4874465
Service Life
Recommended for 50,000-mile service intervals or longer (up to 150,000 miles) as indicated in the owner's manual.

 

[Dirtman]

I haven't driven my truck in over a week so I wanted to take it to work just for a "maintenance run". I opened the door and got hit by the most ungodly smell I have ever experienced, and I've smelled clam chowdah rotting in my air vents for an entire summer...

Aparently last time I was in the truck a chicken hopped in and I didn't notice before I shut the door.

Took the fiesta to work and ignored the problem. I may just set it on fire. There's just only so many smells a truck can take. I give up...

 

[Rick W]

I’m a city kid, and I’m confused. Chickens don’t eat soup if they get hungry?