Help!! Will a 2003 tranny.....

[crcletrack]

Hey! Im new to the forum. I also posted this in the general discussion area. Not sure where is best. I recently picked up a 2000 Ranger xcab with the step side bed. Its a 3 litre automatic 2wd. Its a great little truck. Problem is the od light starts blinking after a few minutes of driving. I know it needs a tranny. Wish I had realized it before I bought it. Anyway, I have access to a complete 3.0 engine and automatic tranny out of a 2003 Ranger with only 60k miles. Is the transmission interchangeable with what I now have if I just use the 2003 tranny? Would the engine / tranny bolt right up and plug right in if I used the whole motor tranny setup out of the 2003? I can also get the computer for the 2003 if needed. Any advice would be appreciated. Ray

 

[dorman68]

I talked to my buddy at the salvage yard and according to his salvage interchange these are the vehicles that will interchange with your truck.


MAZDA B-3000 1999-2000 A.T.; 4x2
RANGER 1999-2000 A.T. (3.0L), 4x2

 

[exbass94]

Is the 2003 trans a 4x4 or 2wd? Since your truck is 2wd, you can only use a 2wd trans.

A 2003 trans *should* work. The only difference between the 2000 and 2003 is the 2003 is a 5-speed auto, as opposed to the 2000 4-speed. They are mechanically identical, the computer just manipulates the shift schedule to make it a 5-speed. If you use the 2000 computer, it would shift like a 4 speed. I would check the electrical connectors on both first and make sure your existing wiring plugs right in.

 

[oachs83]

I would just hold on a minute before you get into replacing hard parts. The overdrive blinking is like a check engine light being on for your trans. I would first take it to get the codes checked and it could be as simple as a sensor. I have seen in my experience that a simple speed sensor can cause this to happen. I see the tranny temp sensors go out as well as the torque convertors go that cause this problem. Get the code and it may save you time and money in the long run. Is the tranny going into OD? Do you have a ABS light on as well?

 

[crcletrack]

Well...

Like an idiot, when buying it, I drove the truck for about 1 minute then I paid the guy. The truck appears to have all the gears working correctly except the truck shifts into second gear at about 4k rpm's. After about 10 minutes of driving the od light starts blinking and then when starting off it feels like its in maybe 3rd gear. First thing I did was replace the speed sensor on the diff. but its still doing the same thing. I came across this 03' engine and tranny for $250 and figured it was an easy way to solve the problem. my truck has 135k on it and figured if I could replace the engine and tranny with a 60k mile unit it would be a good thing. Maybe I should do the 5.0 swap. I have a son who will get his permit next june and this would be a blast with a 302. Maybe its worth a trip to the tranny shop and see what the computer has to say. You guys and this site are a great resource for us noob's. I appreciate all your help! Ray

 

[oachs83]

It could easily be the temp sensor for the transmission. After about 10 minutes of driving the trans fluid gets warm enough but your sensor is not detecting it. I could guess all day but you have a way to find out what exactly it is by taking it to get the code checked. If it turns out to be a easy cheaper fix you got off easy. If it turns out you need to pull the trans then going with the $250 used trans is probably your best bet.

 

[SixFoFalcon]

Is the 2003 trans a 4x4 or 2wd? Since your truck is 2wd, you can only use a 2wd trans.

A 2003 trans *should* work. The only difference between the 2000 and 2003 is the 2003 is a 5-speed auto, as opposed to the 2000 4-speed. They are mechanically identical, the computer just manipulates the shift schedule to make it a 5-speed. If you use the 2000 computer, it would shift like a 4 speed. I would check the electrical connectors on both first and make sure your existing wiring plugs right in.

You'll have to explain to me how changing the shift schedule can produce an extra gear. I'm not buying it.

 

[exbass94]

You'll have to explain to me how changing the shift schedule can produce an extra gear. I'm not buying it.

On the 4 speed trans, it shifts from lst to forth like a normal trans...1-2-3-4. The 5 speed however, starts off in first gear, then instead of shifting to 2nd, it applies overdrive to 1st, splitting the gear ratio in half. THEN it shifts to 2nd gear. So it goes like 1-1(overdrive)-2-3-4. Thus creating a 5 speed transmission.

 

[betomonroy]

2000 yr is a 4R44RE 2003 yr is a 5R55RE. If mechanicaly speaking they are exactly the same... why are they given different models?

 

[exbass94]

It's not a "4r44RE" it's a 4r44e. And I found a link where someone on here actually did this swap AND IT WORKS. http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34303

Now, before anyone tries to call me out and say "he swapped from a 4r55e to 5r55e, not a 4r44e to 5r44e" they're the same damn thing. The 44e is the slightly weaker version used behind 4 cyls and 3.0s, and the 55e is the stronger version used behind 4.0s.

 

[SixFoFalcon]

On the 4 speed trans, it shifts from lst to forth like a normal trans...1-2-3-4. The 5 speed however, starts off in first gear, then instead of shifting to 2nd, it applies overdrive to 1st, splitting the gear ratio in half. THEN it shifts to 2nd gear. So it goes like 1-1(overdrive)-2-3-4. Thus creating a 5 speed transmission.

Well then... don't I look like a dumbass. Thanks for clarifying.