2000 4.0 4x4

[scotts90ranger]

To figure out which side it is once you have the thing in the air pull off the shift motor from the transfer case, should be 3 bolts if I remember right holding the whole assembly on (do not remove the plate on the back of it). Once it's off there's a triangle shaped shaft and labels for low range and 2wd if I remember right, there's only 2 detents (one for low range and one for 2wd) I know at least a low range label. from there you can try to turn the shaft with pliers or an adjustable wrench. If you put the transmission in park and put a pry bar in one of the U joints on the rear driveline in 4x2 or 4x4 you should NOT be able to spin the driveline no matter how hard you try. If you get it to the low range detent with the transmission in neutral you should be able to spin the rear driveline and the front driveline will spin at the same time.

We say the transmission is the most likely culprit because well it's a thing, they're fine transmissions if they're taken care of but if abused or ignored they can be a pain, part of why my non V8 RBV's are all manual... oh and we say it's less likely to be the transfer case because they almost never break...

 

[Pquin56]

If you put the transmission in park and put a pry bar in one of the U joints on the rear driveline in 4x2 or 4x4 you should NOT be able to spin the driveline no matter how hard you try. If you get it to the low range detent with the transmission in neutral you should be able to spin the rear driveline and the front driveline will spin at the same time.

This behaved exactly as you described. I also noticed that with the engine running, even in neutral, there was slight power going to the driveshaft. Front driveshaft turns with the rear (I think the front differential or hubs are shot since the front wheels weren't actually turning).

Looks like I'll be looking to get the transmission rebuilt or a replacement.

 

[Pquin56]

Hey guys....been doing some much needed repairs on the truck and am finally ready to focus on the drive issues. I've been watching lots of YT videos of transmission rebuilds and am contemplating an attempt to rebuild the transmission myself. Has anyone rebuilt a tranny themselves that can offer some guidance on whether or not I should attempt it? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but have 0 experience with transmissions. Looking at rebuild kits, seems I can get a good quality kit that includes bands for under $500 for the 5r55e.

 

[franklin2]

I have debated about doing a rebuild myself. I was getting ready to do a 4L60E in my Tahoe, but it is a lot of work to pull it out, and I decided to get someone to do the rebuild, and then I could concentrate on putting it back in. Taking it out and putting it back in was enough work for me.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Hey guys....been doing some much needed repairs on the truck and am finally ready to focus on the drive issues. I've been watching lots of YT videos of transmission rebuilds and am contemplating an attempt to rebuild the transmission myself. Has anyone rebuilt a tranny themselves that can offer some guidance on whether or not I should attempt it? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but have 0 experience with transmissions. Looking at rebuild kits, seems I can get a good quality kit that includes bands for under $500 for the 5r55e.

Haven’t done a transmission yet. I will recommend doing a shift kit and a “one piece” separator plate while you’re at it though. I’ll move this over to transmissions, might get a little more help there

 

[I support common sense]

Haven’t done a transmission yet. I will recommend doing a shift kit and a “one piece” separator plate while you’re at it though. I’ll move this over to transmissions, might get a little more help there

The OP may get better results if he starts a brand new thread on rebuilding in the transmissions section.

if you think about it, it’s all moving parts. It’s doable, but you should understand that entire transmission and how it works, and the common bad components. For instance solenoids are common to fail on those models if I understand correctly. IF I had the time, space, and did not need the vehicle for at least six months, then I would give it a try. I would just make sure everything is laid out as it went in so you can put it back together and take it somebody who knows what they’re doing if you fail.

I don’t know very much about rebuilding Transmissions and I vaguely know how they work(that may even be a stretch).