Shifting Issue

[Immortalfreak]

So I bought a 2000 Ford Ranger a couple of days ago. The truck has 108k miles, 3" fabtech lift, 31" tires, and is a V6 4.0. The truck has two problems, my main concern being the shifting problem, my dad's being the front end suspension.

The shifting problem I've noticed is like a grinding of gears. For example today I was in third gear and I started slowing down without putting the clutch in and it made a terrible terrible grinding-like sound. Also, when I go to shift into other gears after 1st, and sometimes back into first, I get a grinding sound again. At first I thought I just kept grinidng the gears, but when I was driving it today and all I did was hit the brake (My hands nowhere near the gear shift) and it made the noise it really bugged me. It doesn't do it everytime though, only sometimes, as it did it more than once. But I am rusty on a stick and the more I drive it the better I get at "getting it in the hole" if you will, and thus no grinding sound when switching gears, yet the one today was not an issue with me being rusty.


My dad is very anti-lift kits and all of that. He thinks it ruins the vehicle entirely. The truck pulls to the right a GREAT deal. It's terrible. I thought it was just an allignment issue at first, but sometimes when I turn the wheel it makes a pretty bad noise. My dad thinks the transmission issue is nothing, and I think the same for this. But he offered to cover the suspension issue, so I wanted to get some opinions on here before i take it in and have it looked at. Other than "pulling a great deal to the right", and "a bad noise when I start cutting the wheel (not often, but sometimes)"


I know the suspension issue is in the wrong forum (I'm going to repost it there), but I wanted to include it in this post.


In conclusion, please bear with me here. I am totally new to the vehicle scene, this is my first truck, I know the basics about automobiles, nothing more. This raised truck thing is a whole new world in itself, in addition to being new to autos.

Anyway, any ideas?


Edit: God, I sem so gramatically challenged. It's terrible. Not even worth editing, too tired.

 

[Mutant Pony]

If a vehicle has a pull, it needs to be checked out. It doesn't matter if it is lifted or not. First check all you tire pressures. You need to find out what is making the noise. Have one person turn the wheel, while another watches the steering system. Don't drive it down the road till you do this!
Now, Drain a little fluid from you're trans and see if there is any metal shavings in it. Also make sure that it is the trans making the noise.

 

[Immortalfreak]

Gotcha, thanks.

I'm going to take it in tomorrow morning and have it looked at, then. I was planning to do it romorrow anyway, I just posted here to get an idea of what it might be, 'cause I don't trust mechanics.

 

[funkingonutz]

i had the same tranny problem with my Ranger, its probably your throw out bearing (sounds like its grinding right??) You have 100+k miles on it right?? on the original clutch right? its the throw out bearing trust me.

 

[funkingonutz]

whats wrong with mechanics???? its the car dealers that you cant trust!!!

 

[Immortalfreak]

Thanks for the advice. Took it in about the front end today. The swaybar and ball joint are scraping the frame and the brake line is rubbing the tire on one side. It's pretty clear the lift is bad. So I am tkaing it to some people a bit more experienced with lifts pretty quick (trying to find a place now).

 

[Immortalfreak]

Update

Quick update...

The motorsports place took a quick look and said it's hitting the frame because whoever put the lift on didn't put the drop stops on. I'll post some pictures tomorrow assuming the weather forecast is accurate.

But they want $250 for drop stops and an alignment.

They claim the joint and sway bar are supposed to rub against the drop stops, of which keep the frame protected from the rubbing, basically. Is this true?