1983 Ranger V6 2.8L - Gear Shift Assembly

[jjayzzone]

Hi everyone, it is my first day on the site and so far it is pretty bad ace! I apologize beforehand if this is the wrong location for this thread, but I didn't see any sections that were Ranger specific.

I need to find a new gear shift assembly, mine is causing some issues for me. I bought a new bushing for the bottom of the shift rod. When you pull off the assembly - which entails unbolting the four bolts holding the assembly in place - there is a "cup" looking thing inside the tranny. That is where I placed the bushing. The problem is that the shifter slips out of this cup/bushing, and then there is no way to shift. I have to unbolt the assembly again, line it up again, and reattach. I can tell you that this SUCKS when you are driving and it happens. Luckily it has only happened on back roads in a small city. Also, the base piece with the four bolts is missing one of the corners, so it only attaches at three points. Furthermore, I can not tighten it down fully because the shifter gets stuck in place - no shifting allowed!

So, does anyone know what the issue could be? Where could I find a replacement (salvage yards rarely seem to have them)? I am frustrated at this point. I bought the truck for $600, cheap for a truck that runs pretty well. I've done a ton of maintenance that other owners had neglected (transmission fluid, oil/filter, spark plugs/wires, air filter, break fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, battery water, etc), and the last item to be taken care of is the shift assembly. Oh, and the passenger side mirror. At that point, off to do safety, emissions, and registration.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Jason

 

[dangerranger83]

Is it a four speed or a five speed transmission, five having the over drive? I will say the for and five speed shifters do not interchange. I haven't heard of the nylon piece that goes into the cup going bad. But I have heard, and its a commonly heard thing, for the five speed shifter bushings to go out above the end where the shaft goes into the assembly.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jjayzzone]

Thanks for the response. It is the five speed, with the fifth gear being overdrive. I've linked a couple of pictures of the assembly below, maybe you will notice if something is missing in the assembly. When I received the truck, there was no bushing in the cup at all, so I purchased one (you can see it in the picture).

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.p...770667150491.191207.1409859635&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.p...770667150491.191207.1409859635&type=3&theater

Hopefully you can link to these photos. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Catch22556]

That's a TK5 btw. I'm having the same issue as well on my b2 and i just opted to have a local fab shop machine a new ball for the shifter. It's supposed to be finished tomorrow so we will see what he comes up with. If you would like to go the new route.

HERE : http://www.allstategear.com/TK5%20Shift%20Stick%20TK5-Stick.htm

That's about the cheapest I've seen one. Everywhere else wants $200+

 

[dangerranger83]

My local Ford dealership wanted $80 for a new 5speed shifter assembly years ago when my dad had a ranger with that trans.

 

[Catch22556]

I called mocks ford in my area friday and talked to the parts guy. He quoted me $227 and some change for the updated revised shift assembly for a tk5. Times have changed.