1988 ranger 4x4

[jchampion116]

I have a 1988 ranger 4x4, the truck has the 2.3 engine, my question was on the transmission....It will shift ok into 1-3 but when i hit 4th gear it becomes very sluggish and wont accelerate so getting to 5 gear is basically a lost cause, i have to downshift back to 3rd to keep it going.....any idea what that might be...the truck has alot of miles on it so i didnt want to have to dump alot of money into it since its really just a junk/hunting truck, I thought about tring to find a automatic to swap out the manual trans but i didnt know what auto's would work with the 2.3


thanks

 

[r1hatman]

I'd try a c4, there very dependable and can be made to work with most any type of motor.

 

[jchampion116]

just a side note i forgot to post....there is a very loud ratteling noise especially when you first shift into a gear.....after the rpms increase it seems to go away.....

 

[martin]

You're shifting too early, gotta let it rev.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Your trans is fine. Post in the 2.3 engine section for help on the lack of power. I'd start with a tune up if it hasn't had one recently.

 

[jchampion116]

now that you mention the shifting early that makes perfect sense because it did it mainly when i had to downshift to 3rd because 4th was boggin down so the rpms were of course low......thanks