1984 ranger 2.0L with 4 speed toyo kogyo advice please

[Derekzee]

I have a leak that I need to address, and since I have never worked on a transmission before I just want to confirm the fill and drain plugs, as well as the proper gear oil to put in after the repair. See pics, Drain is highlighted in blue and the fill plug is highlighted in red. Any tricks or tips on filling again? Tia

 

[pedal2themetal45]

a google search came up with this..

For your 1984 Ford Ranger with a 2.0L engine and 4-speed transmission, you should use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). While a common misconception leads people to pour heavy gear oil into these older trucks, your 4-speed manual gearbox requires Type F or MERCON-rated ATF to function properly. [1, 2, 3]
Key Details at a Glance:

• Fluid Type: Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or MERCON.
• Capacity: Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 quarts (always fill until it seeps out of the fill hole on level ground).
• Why not gear oil? Using standard 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil will be too thick for your transmission's internal passages and can cause shifting issues or permanent damage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Make sure the fill plug is loosened before removing the drain plug.

 

[Derekzee]

a google search came up with this..

For your 1984 Ford Ranger with a 2.0L engine and 4-speed transmission, you should use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). While a common misconception leads people to pour heavy gear oil into these older trucks, your 4-speed manual gearbox requires Type F or MERCON-rated ATF to function properly. [1, 2, 3]
Key Details at a Glance:

• Fluid Type: Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or MERCON.
• Capacity: Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 quarts (always fill until it seeps out of the fill hole on level ground).
• Why not gear oil? Using standard 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil will be too thick for your transmission's internal passages and can cause shifting issues or permanent damage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

a google search came up with this..

For your 1984 Ford Ranger with a 2.0L engine and 4-speed transmission, you should use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). While a common misconception leads people to pour heavy gear oil into these older trucks, your 4-speed manual gearbox requires Type F or MERCON-rated ATF to function properly. [1, 2, 3]
Key Details at a Glance:

• Fluid Type: Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or MERCON.
• Capacity: Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 quarts (always fill until it seeps out of the fill hole on level ground).
• Why not gear oil? Using standard 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil will be too thick for your transmission's internal passages and can cause shifting issues or permanent damage. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

I had done a few searches myself before I made this post. Both with your answer and another like the attached screenshot. I am just a little confused. I searched up the part number in my manual and this is what I found.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

 

[kishy]

I agree that you have found the fill and drain plugs. In the event there is difficulty opening the fill plug, you can fill it through the top by removing the shifter.

In fact, that's way easier anyway, but creates the possibility that you'll overfill it. A TK-5 takes about 2qt, I imagine a TK-4 is about the same. Filling through the fill plug is most easily done using a small pump that can attach to the bottle but those are always just slightly leaky enough to make a mess.

As for what you fill it with, I went down this rabbit hole years ago when I got my 85.

You do not want to use any gear oil that says it is GL-5. You need a GL-4. This is not a case where the higher number supersedes the lower number, 5 cannot replace 4 for a vintage transmission with yellow metals.
You also don't want to use ATF. They didn't spec it from new and they feel terrible when filled with it.

Buy Ford XT-M5-QS "Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid" from your local Ford dealer.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/full-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluids.html/1000

and is also recommended for older transmissions including rear wheel drive that recommend GL-3 and GL-4 type gear oils

This stuff made my TK5 feel pretty nice to shift.

As an alternative, Redline MT-90 also seemed like a suitable option based on specs and I used it for a couple years, but the transmission is smoother with the Ford stuff in it.

 

[Derekzee]

I agree that you have found the fill and drain plugs. In the event there is difficulty opening the fill plug, you can fill it through the top by removing the shifter.

In fact, that's way easier anyway, but creates the possibility that you'll overfill it. A TK-5 takes about 2qt, I imagine a TK-4 is about the same. Filling through the fill plug is most easily done using a small pump that can attach to the bottle but those are always just slightly leaky enough to make a mess.

As for what you fill it with, I went down this rabbit hole years ago when I got my 85.

You do not want to use any gear oil that says it is GL-5. You need a GL-4. This is not a case where the higher number supersedes the lower number, 5 cannot replace 4 for a vintage transmission with yellow metals.
You also don't want to use ATF. They didn't spec it from new and they feel terrible when filled with it.

Buy Ford XT-M5-QS "Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid" from your local Ford dealer.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/full-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluids.html/1000

This stuff made my TK5 feel pretty nice to shift.

As an alternative, Redline MT-90 also seemed like a suitable option based on specs and I used it for a couple years, but the transmission is smoother with the Ford stuff in it.

Thank you for the info. This clears up my confusion. I'll check with my local Ford dealership to see if they have this in stock. If not, I'll order the Redline. I have a manual transfer pump to pump it in, I'll use that now that you have confirmed the right plugs to open.