85 4x4 ranger 5spd having a little trouble with 4 gear

[jake wells]

ok the problem isnt whether it is warm or cold.

some times i can get into 4th gear but it is really hard most of the time.it is very difficult just to go into it and sometimes when i get in it. it seems like there is no gear there. but sometimes it just slips into 4th really smooth and works fine.


is it oil related? to much or not enough? wrong weight?
im just guessing but maybe someone can help me.

 

[strvger]

first, Welcome to TRS!
now, did you check out the tech library tab at the top of the page? lots of great info there, especially re: trannies, which fluids they take, etc. sounds like perhaps some wear in the linkage, shifter forks, etc. if it's not grinding (synchros), then i'd drain and replace the fluid checking for metal in the old stuff, and start double checking all the linkage starting with inside the shifter tower and working my way down.
if you're more of a remove and replace kinda guy, i'd just replace it with a good 5 speed manual. did that on mine and love it! quieter than the 4 spd for some reason, but just better on gas in od.
good luck for sure and post up when you get it figured out.

 

[jake wells]

first, Welcome to TRS!
now, did you check out the tech library tab at the top of the page? lots of great info there, especially re: trannies, which fluids they take, etc. sounds like perhaps some wear in the linkage, shifter forks, etc. if it's not grinding (synchros), then i'd drain and replace the fluid checking for metal in the old stuff, and start double checking all the linkage starting with inside the shifter tower and working my way down.
if you're more of a remove and replace kinda guy, i'd just replace it with a good 5 speed manual. did that on mine and love it! quieter than the 4 spd for some reason, but just better on gas in od.
good luck for sure and post up when you get it figured out.

will any 5 spd from a 83-87 ranger work with the transfer case in this truck? it has 5 spd in it right now.

im been usually shifting from 3rd to 5th in it

 

[strvger]

yes, they should be the same. the bell housing pattern is shared by the 2.8, 2.9, and 4.0 ohv motors and even some 302's, iirc. if you find one of the later (and stronger) M5OD 5 speeds, there is a little more to hooking them up, but the install is still pretty straight forward. and all the 1350 transfer cases will bolt up. if yours is a manual tc, you definitely want to keep that! too many problems with the electronic ones. again, there are good write-ups on swapping trannies in the tech library here.
good luck for sure!

 

[adsm08]

You may have a shot synchro.