Ok... wasn't sure where else to put this.

[RobbieD]

^ Good advice.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

A few of these things I knew to look for, but some I wouldn't have even thought of. In fact, I think I'll print this off for future reference when looking at a used truck. Thank you LBR.
I really think that guy was asking too much for the BII, in retrospect. Unfortunately though, I think I've been seduced by the power of the dark side. I found an excellent deal on a 92 Jimmy. I need to go over the thing one more time before I decide though... But it looks like a damned good deal... and the guy was borderline neurotic about maintenance and keeping records for the thing. Hopefully it's not a total POS and gets me by until I can afford the Ranger I really want.

 

[Jspafford]

The blinker problem is most likely a burnt out bulb.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

A few of these things I knew to look for, but some I wouldn't have even thought of. In fact, I think I'll print this off for future reference when looking at a used truck. Thank you LBR.
I really think that guy was asking too much for the BII, in retrospect. Unfortunately though, I think I've been seduced by the power of the dark side. I found an excellent deal on a 92 Jimmy. I need to go over the thing one more time before I decide though... But it looks like a damned good deal... and the guy was borderline neurotic about maintenance and keeping records for the thing. Hopefully it's not a total POS and gets me by until I can afford the Ranger I really want.

That list applies mainly to Bronco IIs and 2.9L equipped Rangers. Aside from that, the basics of it hold true, but it's doubtful that you'll come across something with a head problem, at least with Fords.

IMHO, I wouldn't touch a Jimmy. Or any other chevy truck for that matter. I'd buy a Jeep or a car before I'd buy a chevy truck. Unless I was going to part it out or cut it up for scrap. I've seen way too many with strange problems, and I'd say 99% of the time they're asking way too much for what you're getting. Back when I bought my 2000 Ranger, I was young and stupid, and looked at Chevy, GMC, and Toyota. Toyota was out of my price range. GMC refused to deal. The S-dime was about the same price as the Ranger, but Ford was more willing to deal and Ford had a much nicer truck, the interior didn't seem cheap, had a comfortable feel to it, etc. I went with the Ford, and I'm very glad I did, cuz one of my mom's best friends went with a S-10 not more than a year after I got my Ranger. That thing is the biggest POS I've ever seen. Even in 4-lo it couldn't get out of our driveway... and my humble 2wd Ranger with an open rear diff walked it.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Ranger. Definitely the most reliable vehicle I've owned. I need something to get me back and forth to work though, like now. I've been driving on a bad tranny for two weeks now and can't do without wheels while it gets fixed. Everything I've looked at this past week has been a POS, way overpriced, or simply out of my price range (Which isn't much, lol.)
It has enough new parts on it, I'm sure I can get my money back out of it if it turns out to be a total piece.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, as long as you're not getting rid of the Ranger then, lol.

I dunno whereabouts you're at, but if you're near Pittsburgh, I've seen a couple good deals on cheap Rangers and Bronco IIs lately and could probably work somethin out...

 

[DeanMoriarty]

As a side note... I actually have a stigma about Blazer's... And I know it makes no sense, because I'm sure they're made on the same assembly line... but the people I've known that have owned Jimmy's have been pretty happy with them, the people I've known with Blazer's have had NOTHING but problems.

And Nah... I'm in St Louis.
Like I mentioned before... most of the stuff in my price range is being bought up lately by people getting their income tax refunds back. Bastards.
I'd like to maybe try my hand at replacing the tranny myself, once it warms up outside. I've never done a major repair like that, but I'd be willing to try when I have a second vehicle and I'm not pressed for time. That Ranger has been GREAT. I bought it for $900 four years ago, driven it every day and I've done nothing except basic maintenance on it until now. Still only 125k on it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

As a side note... I actually have a stigma about Blazer's... And I know it makes no sense, because I'm sure they're made on the same assembly line... but the people I've known that have owned Jimmy's have been pretty happy with them, the people I've known with Blazer's have had NOTHING but problems.

And Nah... I'm in St Louis.
Like I mentioned before... most of the stuff in my price range is being bought up lately by people getting their income tax refunds back. Bastards.
I'd like to maybe try my hand at replacing the tranny myself, once it warms up outside. I've never done a major repair like that, but I'd be willing to try when I have a second vehicle and I'm not pressed for time. That Ranger has been GREAT. I bought it for $900 four years ago, driven it every day and I've done nothing except basic maintenance on it until now. Still only 125k on it.

Transmissions arn't hard at all. I would suggest draining all the fluid first and if possible have a floor jack handy with a tranny cradle, just to make it easier. Disconnect any wires and/or lines to the tranny if at all possible, pull the starter, pull the rear driveshaft (12mm, 12pt), then you have 6 transmission bolts. If you have an auto tranny you also have the flexplate bolts, you'll have to open up either an access plate or wait till you have the trans bolts free to get the flexplate ones out, there's 4 of them. The two upper trans bolts I've had the most success getting out by laying on top of the motor (hood off helps), and working by feel. IIRC they're 1/2".

I've done a couple, once you tear into it you'll see that it's not all that scary.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

No problem with draining the fluid... it drains itself quite well. A little too late I came on here and learned I was another victim of the rubber plugs on the Mazda 5 speed tranny leaking fluid. By the time I realized there was a problem it was too late. Now it makes a God-awful noise when I let it coast in gear.
I'll try that when it gets a little warmer out. I might even get very adventurous and try to rebuild the thing. I've been told it can't be rebuilt, or that it would be cheaper just to get a used one from the junk yard. What do you think? It's a 4 cylinder btw.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ouch!

I have no idea the cost of rebuilding or even if it can be rebuilt.... I've never done that...

I've had to disconnect transmissions for engine swaps twice (technically, I ended up disconnecting the trans on my choptop about 3 times when I swapped the engine, lol), and once to remove an engine and trans from a wrecked Bronco II.

If you disturb the clutch at all, you WILL need a clutch alignment tool. Technically you can make your own, but IMHO, I'd just buy or borrow one. Straight up swapping the trans, you shouldn't have to disturb the clutch though unless when you get in there you see it needs replaced or somethin.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Damn... Maybe I'll just try to find a used tranny.
The clutch is in good shape... is it hard to avoid disturbing the clutch?
With the right tools, how long you think it would take to swap the thing out? I've heard bleeding the clutch cylinder can be a bitch, would I have to mess with any of that? Or would it be pretty easy to throw it in there and be on my way?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Damn... Maybe I'll just try to find a used tranny.
The clutch is in good shape... is it hard to avoid disturbing the clutch?
With the right tools, how long you think it would take to swap the thing out? I've heard bleeding the clutch cylinder can be a bitch, would I have to mess with any of that? Or would it be pretty easy to throw it in there and be on my way?

I'd probably just try to find a used tranny that isn't shot. Though from what I understand it's easier to rebuild manual trannys than autos. Less junk to deal with, lol.

IMHO, it's not hard at all to do without disturbing the clutch.

I don't think that you'd have to bleed the clutch, you're gonna have to get the trans free and slide it straight back and see if you can get the slave cyl out without having to disconnect the lines to do it though.

With a hard surface to work on (concrete) and a good floor jack with a tranny cradle, barring any unexpected problems, I could probably have one swapped out, be cleaned up and drinking beer on the porch all inside an afternoon. It'll probably take more time than that though, cuz usually Murphy wants to pay a visit and it sounds like you've never swapped a tranny yet.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Haha... Yeah. I expect that.
Anytime I've said "This shouldn't be too hard..." is when I wind up cussing, throwing tools, frightening the neighbors, and breaking 2 or 3 other things that I'll have to fix in the process. I have a gravel driveway for a work surface... maybe a large piece of plywood under the thing would work? Guess I'll need some jack stands too huh?
Yeah... I'll set aside a few days when it warms up outside and give it a shot.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Haha... Yeah. I expect that.
Anytime I've said "This shouldn't be too hard..." is when I wind up cussing, throwing tools, frightening the neighbors, and breaking 2 or 3 other things that I'll have to fix in the process. I have a gravel driveway for a work surface... maybe a large piece of plywood under the thing would work? Guess I'll need some jack stands too huh?
Yeah... I'll set aside a few days when it warms up outside and give it a shot.

Personally, any more, if I get too frustrated I take a lil walk with the torch to my scrap pile and start cutting $h!t up with it. Or go shoot at something in the back yard.

Yea, I've been dealing with the gravel drive, or working in the mud for the past several years. Then I got spoiled up at college 'cuz I made friends with the owner of a Junkyard who let me use his shop and his lift when I wanted to work on one of my trucks. But now that I'm back home, I don't have that luxury, it's back to mud and gravel.

You shouldn't need jackstands, just block the wheels real good and set the e-brake. Heavy plywood may work, or find a friend who has a concrete driveway or garage to use. Now that I think about it, if you do get to do it on concrete, (I wouldn't worry about asphalt), I'd suggest putting down some kitty litter all over the area you're gonna be working so that if any fluid leaks out, it gets sucked up by the kitty litter instead of the concrete.

Oh, and you'll probably have to pull up the shifter boot inside and disconnect the shifter before you pull the tranny.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Fine ideas.
I think I'm stuck in the gravel for now though.
I don't mind buying some jack stands... unless I'm thinking about this all wrong, I'm not sure how else I'll be able to maneuver under the thing. It was hell just getting under there to check and fill the tranny fluid. It doesn't sit very high up.
On a plus note... I was bullshitting with my landlord tonight, telling him why I had to buy that Jimmy... As it turns out, he may have a transmission to hook me up with for my Ranger. He'd bought a used one for his sons Ranger, and somehow he managed to get the wrong one. I gave him the #'s so we'll see.