83 slipping in and out

koppenhaver · Apr 30, 2015

i recently purchased a 83 ranger 2wd with the 2.8 and i believe either a C3 or C5 tranny i do know it is a 3 speed, but since getting it road worthy, it seems to be slipping in and out of gear when i come to a stop or aint on the gas when i take a good turn. would it have anything to do with my rear being lifted 2 inches and my front stock, cause i dont believe the issue start till i shackled it up in the rear. thanks in advance for your help!

Transman304 · Apr 30, 2015

Sounds like low fluid level.

koppenhaver · May 1, 2015

i mean it really didnt start till i shackled up the rearend

Transman304 · May 2, 2015

Yea, you just moved all the fluid to the front of the pan and probably uncovering the filter pickup.

kimcrwbr1 · May 2, 2015

If you dont know how old the oil filter is in the tranny give it a complete oil change. Pull the lower plate on the bellhousing and drain the torque converter and disconnect the oil cooler lines and flush out the cooler. It will take about 8 quarts to fill the tranny, converter, and cooler lines. Once you put about 5 quarts in start it for about 20 seconds and add some more. You will know pretty much if the tranny is shot by the amount of sludge and metal in the bottom of the pan. It is probably the C-3 you can tell by the bolt pattern on the pan.

kimcrwbr1 · May 2, 2015

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/AutoTrans.shtml
Good to know before you get the filter and gasket.

koppenhaver · May 19, 2015

okay so i have taken the sharp angle of the rake of my truck, sits way more level, and its still slipping real bad. and it will on go when you switch gears and hold the gas for a bit then it will go into gear. i still need to swap the fluid in the tranny as my next step, is there anything else it could possibly be??? im really no that knowledgeable on auto trannies.

drsvox · May 29, 2015

My WAG: sharp angle + old low fluid = overheating.

like Kim said: you'll know how badly the transmission is shot by the amount of sludge (aluminized fluid) in the bottom of the pan...it will be a grey paste, and not red like normal ATF. It's caused be overheating...and when that happens, put money on the overheating causing other issues, like fried clutch plates and bands.

If you have the sludge, the transmission is useless (believe me, if it's in the pan, then it's everywhere). You'll either have to replace or rebuild.

Rebuilding is a pain, but definitely doable with the right tools and patience. Couple things:

- I'm betting it's a C5 (11 bolts on the pan)
- Is your '83 4x4? If so make sure you get the right filter (deep pick-up)
- Not 100% sure, but I believe the torque converter has no drain plug (for either the C3 or C5)
- If the ATF aluminized, you'll need a new torque converter because with no drain plug, you'll never be able to flush out the sludge.

Hope this helps and I hope the damage isn't too bad...

EDIT: and never mind about the 4x4 question...I see the answer now in your signature line

83 slipping in and out

koppenhaver

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