2000 4.0 4x4

[Pquin56]

Hey guys…just registered and this is my first post.

just picked up a 2000 Ranger XLT, 4.0 OHV, automatic 4x4. Body and frame is in amazing condition but needs work to be drivable.

I’ve replaced the fuel pump and got the engine to run, and surprisingly it runs pretty good.

it doesn’t drive though. With the wheels in the air, the rear wheels turn when in drive and reverse. Under load though, it does not want to move. I changed the transfer case fluid and I am now getting a clunking sound as it tries to switch between 2H, 4H, and 4L. In 4L, it moves in drive and reverse better than any other mode.

I’m thinking something is wrong with the transfer case but I’m not sure if I should be looking elsewhere first.
Looking for any suggestions you guys can provide.

I’m pretty mechanically sound but have never dealt much with transmissions or transfer cases.

thanks in advance.

 

[franklin2]

"It does not want to move".

The engine revs freely but the truck won't go? Or does the engine bog down and it doesn't want to move?

If it revs freely, if you leave it in gear and let it idle, can you hear whirring noises like the transmission is turning? No driveshafts, front or rear are turning?

Be careful, you might want to get someone to stay in the truck with their foot ready to hit the brake while you are carefully looking around and listening.

 

[Pquin56]

Engine revs freely. While on the ground, when in drive and someone pressing the gas, the rear driveshaft starts to turn (maybe like a qtr turn). With the rear end on jackstands, the wheels and driveshaft spin but don’t speed up in proportion to the engine rpm’s

 

[I support common sense]

Does the t-case even drive the rear wheels? I thought that came off the tail shaft, but I haven’t been under a 4x4.
If you could get a second person, put the truck on the ground and put it in drive. Have somebody try and look underneath to see if anything is moving, because it is also possible your torque converter is slipping or your clutches in the transmission aren't grabbing.

 

[SenorNoob]

Without the transfer case you have nothing turning either driveshaft. The Ranger transfer case is effectively the back 3rd or so of the transmission.

Sounds like something is slipping badly. What's your transmission fluid look like? Is it full?

 

[scotts90ranger]

way more likely to be transmission than transfer case... if you can get the T case in low range it should just turn the output slower but is different gears in the transfer case.

 

[Pquin56]

Without the transfer case you have nothing turning either driveshaft. The Ranger transfer case is effectively the back 3rd or so of the transmission.

Sounds like something is slipping badly. What's your transmission fluid look like? Is it full?

transmission fluid on the dipstick seems clean and full. The guy I bought the truck from told me that the 4wheel drive didn’t work, but claimed it would drive fine in 2 wheel drive. It sat for quite a long time though which is why I was focused on the transfer case being the root of the problem.

the fluid I drained from the transfer case yesterday was brown….and the new fluid is giving me more activity in the transfer case (before the fluid change, all I would hear is the t case motor…now I hear it engaging…or attempting to) but I can’t determine if it’s shifting correctly.

 

[Pquin56]

way more likely to be transmission than transfer case... if you can get the T case in low range it should just turn the output slower but is different gears in the transfer case.

im going to put the whole truck on stands today and see if 4L or 4H is turning the rear wheels. The movement I get out of the truck in 4L may be all coming from the front wheels.

If the front tires turn in 4L but the back don’t, would you still think it’s the transmission?

 

[franklin2]

Yes, I would think it's the transmission if that happens.

 

[Pquin56]

Since the rear driveshaft is powered with a pass through worm gear in the t case, why would you think it’s the transmission? Not trying to argue or anything, I’m simply trying to understand. Transmissions and t case issues are out of my wheel house.

 

[I support common sense]

From what I understand the t-case is all gears and chain. the only thing that could go wrong easily is your electronic shift or your chain. All other t-case issues are most likely out of the question. I don’t k ow how the electronic shift works, but your issue may be there, or it could be the transmission which is a lot more likely. The way you could tell is if it actually drives in 2wheel but not four wheel. If it drives in two wheel but not four wheel than that is a t-case issue because power from the transmission is coming through that tail shaft to the t-case. The easiest way to think about it is eliminating each possibility starting at the crankshaft to the front and rear differential.

 

[pjtoledo]

the transfer case has two different sections.
the front has a planetary that receives power from the transmission and shifts between hi and low range.
between those 2 ranges is a narrow neutral section.
you said it clunks so my guess is that shifting is proper.

the rear of the transfer case has a collar on the output that slides forward to engage the chain which turns the front output.
neither end of the case cares what the other does, they are independent.

about the actual shifting,,,,
the shift motor rotates a shaft that loads a couple springs. those springs put pressure on the shift cams/forks.
when the gears line up the springs push the forks and gears engage.

get it all up on stands.
engage 4 wd, hi or low, doesn't matter. transmission in neutral for this part.
the front and rear should be locked together , that verifys the back half.
do you have vacuum hubs or live hubs???


with tranny in park the rear driveshaft should be locked,,,with some minor play
if 4wd is selected, hi or low, the front driveshaft should also be locked.

summing it up, if tranny in park can lock the driveshafts the transfer case probably isn't the problem.

 

[pjtoledo]

im going to put the whole truck on stands today and see if 4L or 4H is turning the rear wheels. The movement I get out of the truck in 4L may be all coming from the front wheels.

If the front tires turn in 4L but the back don’t, would you still think it’s the transmission?

highly unlikely, the front shaft gets its power from the rear output shaft. the front can't turn unless the rear turns.

 

[pjtoledo]

Since the rear driveshaft is powered with a pass through worm gear in the t case, why would you think it’s the transmission? Not trying to argue or anything, I’m simply trying to understand. Transmissions and t case issues are out of my wheel house.

the input of the transfer case is a planetary set. sun & ring & planet gears. the output of the planetary drives the main/rear shaft.

 

[Pquin56]

the input of the transfer case is a planetary set. sun & ring & planet gears. the output of the planetary drives the main/rear shaft.

thank you for the correction. I said worm gear….but meant planetary gear.