5 speed trans fluid?

[North Idaho 5.oh]

What is everyone using in their 5 speed transmissions? I can’t seem to get a straight answer… I am having transmission issues with a swap I recently did and some are saying maybe I used the wrong fluid? I used Mercon 5 (as I always have) but the transmission won’t shift into gear at all unless really provoked… it’s my 16 year olds truck and I had to tow the truck home.
he went to take off from a light and he had to really try to get it into 1st gear but would not go into 2nd … once he pulled it out of 1st it wouldn’t shift at all…. Synchros? Bad (new) clutch?
Any help is greatly appreciated as I’m at a loss

 

[Brain75]

More details please, is this the 1998 automatic on your profile or some other year? manual?

the tech articles:

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions - The Ranger Station

Model Trans Code P/N Vehicle Speed Ratios Mitsubishi FM132 D 1988-1992 2.9L 2WD 5-Speed Unknown Mitsubishi FM145 D E67A-7003-FA 1985-1987 Ranger 4X4 5-Speed 1st: 3.769 2nd: 2.210 3rd: 1.516 4th: 1.00 5th: 0.812 Reverse: 3.400 Mitsubishi FM146 D 1988-1992 2.9L Ranger 4X4 … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

give pretty good advice - if you have a:
M50D - use synthetic
M5OD-R1HD & M5OD-R4 - use mercon ATF
etc etc

and automatics here:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-automatic-transmissions/

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

More details please, is this the 1998 automatic on your profile or some other year? manual?

the tech articles:

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions - The Ranger Station

Model Trans Code P/N Vehicle Speed Ratios Mitsubishi FM132 D 1988-1992 2.9L 2WD 5-Speed Unknown Mitsubishi FM145 D E67A-7003-FA 1985-1987 Ranger 4X4 5-Speed 1st: 3.769 2nd: 2.210 3rd: 1.516 4th: 1.00 5th: 0.812 Reverse: 3.400 Mitsubishi FM146 D 1988-1992 2.9L Ranger 4X4 … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

give pretty good advice - if you have a:
M50D - use synthetic
M5OD-R1HD & M5OD-R4 - use mercon ATF
etc etc

and automatics here:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-automatic-transmissions/

Sorry about that, I can’t believe I forgot those details…. So it’s a 97 Mazda b4000 4x4 and I have a 5 speed manual from a 2005 ranger in it.
One other detail I forgot to mention that may help …. I used a “Clutch max” clutch kit from eBay before I read their reviews…. The truck has had a very noticeable shudder when taking off but only when taking off and never when shifting through gears on the freeway etc….

 

[Brain75]

so "out of a 2005 ranger" still gives 2 options, the M5od-R1 and the HD (if I read the chart correct), but the 2 suggested before are still the 2 suggested... only other thing I would suggest is what is repeated at FTE- do NOT use gear oil, too thick burns the trans up.

M50D tranny fluid alternatives - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case - M50D tranny fluid alternatives - have any of you guys used any fluid alternatives in you M50D trannys other than the dextron transmission fluid, I know its designed for this fluid, but I have a hard time digesting an auto trans oil in a...

www.ford-trucks.com

care to elaborate any other issues?


If you did a clutch and it is the R1 (not HD) did you do the slave cylinder too?
well known issue, from that same tech article:
"
The hydraulic clutch, slave cylinder/throwout bearing is another item you should pay close attention to. After time, the slave cylinder fails to release the clutch completely. If you are having trouble shifting into 1st and reverse while stationary or if your truck creeps forward with the clutch pedal depressed the slave cylinder/throwout bearing is probably at fault. Unfortunately there is no easy fix here as the transmission must be removed to replace the combination slave cylinder and throwout bearing.
"

 

[Brain75]

I think I have the M5OD-R1 (too lazy to go read the tag, busy doing paint and putting icy hot on my old tired back)... and I have some light issues going into reverse. Issues going into 1st and reverse are classic of the slave cylinder issue. Previous owner just put a clutch in and I wish I was there to buy the slave at the same time

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

so "out of a 2005 ranger" still gives 2 options, the M5od-R1 and the HD (if I read the chart correct), but the 2 suggested before are still the 2 suggested... only other thing I would suggest is what is repeated at FTE- do NOT use gear old, too thick burns the trans up.

M50D tranny fluid alternatives - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case - M50D tranny fluid alternatives - have any of you guys used any fluid alternatives in you M50D trannys other than the dextron transmission fluid, I know its designed for this fluid, but I have a hard time digesting an auto trans oil in a...

www.ford-trucks.com

care to elaborate any other issues?


If you did a clutch and it is the R1 (not HD) did you do the slave cylinder too?
well known issue, from that same tech article:
"
The hydraulic clutch, slave cylinder/throwout bearing is another item you should pay close attention to. After time, the slave cylinder fails to release the clutch completely. If you are having trouble shifting into 1st and reverse while stationary or if your truck creeps forward with the clutch pedal depressed the slave cylinder/throwout bearing is probably at fault. Unfortunately there is no easy fix here as the transmission must be removed to replace the combination slave cylinder and throwout bearing.
"

To further elaborate on this… I replaced everything with brand new parts. Slave cylinder/throw out, clutch master, everything is new. When it’s not running it goes thru the gears fine… when it’s running it has a really hard time going into 1st…. I know the transmission has to be removed in order to do a repair like that. I just ordered a LUK clutch and will be pulling everything apart tomorrow and looking at everything

 

[19Walt93]

We always used Mercon, not Mercon V with good results. Valvoline still sells Mercon/Dexron III spec fluid.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Ok, I pulled the transmission today and everything looked great …… until I took the clutch off…. This thing chewed up a pilot bearing till there were no needle bearings left. Needless to say I’ll be replacing the clutch with a much better quality one while I’m in there. It doesn’t need a clutch but I don’t want to use this one. I can’t believe I botched the install that bad lol oh well …. I’m waiting for parts then I’ll be putting everything back together!
Marks on bearing casing are from removing it.

 

[RobbieD]

I just ordered a LUK clutch

Good call.

A clutch job is such a bitch, that it's one that my better senses overrule my severe tendency of being a cheapskate.

Wouldn't hurt to polish up that input shaft before reinstallation (and I'm betting that you've already thought of it and are planning on it).

 

[racsan]

Ive ran pennzoil syncromesh fluid in the last 3 manual transmissions of mine in a ranger chassis. Havent had any problems doing so. The ‘93 I put the most miles on.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Good call.

A clutch job is such a bitch, that it's one that my better senses overrule my severe tendency of being a cheapskate.

Wouldn't hurt to polish up that input shaft before reinstallation (and I'm betting that you've already thought of it and are planning on it).

Ha ha I chose to be a cheapskate…. And now I’m spending the money I “saved” lol so next time that won’t be happening. LUK or nothing lol
Yes I definitely plan to polish up the input for sure

 

[bobbywalter]

Ha ha I chose to be a cheapskate…. And now I’m spending the money I “saved” lol so next time that won’t be happening. LUK or nothing lol
Yes I definitely plan to polish up the input for sure

look carefully at your dowels. looking at the picture i assume the pilot bearing was not overdriven by the amount of shaft tore up....but maybe it was damaged upon install. almost tempted to polish it and run a bushing with that level of damage or a full roller bearing if you can find one.

i did not see if it was not a replacement and assume you put in a new pilot?

with shudder sometimes a dowel is offset/crushed undersized or the bell side is oversized from corrosion. since they are integral bells you can not really check for runout. being an o5 i would not think the holes are wallered but it is worth a check.

i dont mind putting clutches in the b2. the damn things dont weigh anything...and ours is setup to come apart.

the ranger otoh......that damn 4l80 is a heavy mo fo. fawgin tq converter weighs 75 pounds....

the 350 Z is pretty easy too. jacking it up high enough to get under it takes longer then swapping a clutch.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

look carefully at your dowels. looking at the picture i assume the pilot bearing was not overdriven by the amount of shaft tore up....but maybe it was damaged upon install. almost tempted to polish it and run a bushing with that level of damage or a full roller bearing if you can find one.

i did not see if it was not a replacement and assume you put in a new pilot?

with shudder sometimes a dowel is offset/crushed undersized or the bell side is oversized from corrosion. since they are integral bells you can not really check for runout. being an o5 i would not think the holes are wallered but it is worth a check.

i dont mind putting clutches in the b2. the damn things dont weigh anything...and ours is setup to come apart.

the ranger otoh......that damn 4l80 is a heavy mo fo. fawgin tq converter weighs 75 pounds....

the 350 Z is pretty easy too. jacking it up high enough to get under it takes longer then swapping a clutch.

Unfortunately it was me that installed the bearing and apparently didn’t do it right… I’ll be checking the dowels and polishing the input shaft for sure… I started with an emory cloth and it seems to be cleaning up pretty well. I didn’t get many miles on it up till this point so I hope I didn’t damage it too bad. I am actually going to kalispell to pick up another 5 speed, not that I need it but it would be nice to have it and not need it ya know?

 

[bobbywalter]

Unfortunately it was me that installed the bearing and apparently didn’t do it right… I’ll be checking the dowels and polishing the input shaft for sure… I started with an emory cloth and it seems to be cleaning up pretty well. I didn’t get many miles on it up till this point so I hope I didn’t damage it too bad. I am actually going to kalispell to pick up another 5 speed, not that I need it but it would be nice to have it and not need it ya know?

IF the price is right. and you have the space. two things that become important factors with teenagers..... i have had 5 of them.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Ya, he already already has it pulled and it doesn’t take up too much space. I’m getting it for $100 and it only has 100k miles or so…. The truck was rolled and all the guy needed was the motor. He is also including the transfer case… I can’t complain