88 ranger xlt will not engage in drive

[Richard Pate]

My 1988 Ford Ranger XLT 2wd will not engage in forward unless I rev the rpms up and then as they drop it engages. Once engaged everything works fine until I switch the tranny out of drive. Then I have to do it again. Reverse works fine. I recently purchased this truck and the tranny had been changed. It has a 18 bolt pan and the tranny wasn't an exact swap because there is no place to insert the speedo cable. I have dropped the pan and replaced the fluid and the filter. I am guessing it has something to do with the electronics but am unsure. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[baddis]

sounds like it is another a4ld out of a newer truck. when mine started acting up i collected all the parts for a 5 speed swap. the a4ld for your truck for a direct swap needs to be out of an 88 or 89 ranger or an 88 bronco 2. if you get an older one you have to change the valve body. newer and you run into issues with the speedometer cable and the shifter. have you checked the fluid level? and does it smell burnt?