TK5 longevity

[fatt_owl2.9]

I've had my Ranger about a year and a half and about 20,000 miles. Around Christmas of '08, the original trans (TK5 5-speed manual, 2WD) went kaboom going up a fairly steep grade one day, so I replaced it with a junkyard trans that seemed much better, it was a lot quieter, didn't have the gear whine that the old trans had....for long. Eventually it started getting whiny in some gears, and I figured the whine was something these transmissions just developed over time. Anyway, the second trans has gone kaboom too, going up the same grade. Does anyone have any insight as to the longevity of these transmissions? Are they typically pretty fragile? I think I'm gonna have to replace it again, cuz my truck is my only form of transportation, and it's cheaper than buying a new beater truck.

 

[spdcrazy]

i had the tk5 in my b2 for a few years. it held on medium crazy wheeling, on 30x9.5's but when i tried roadtripping to cali from arizona and on 33x12.5's it blew up. mild grade too...

for everyday driving, i'd say the tk5 is up to the challenge

 

[Spitfire1975]

.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

The one in my truck held up fairly well... lasted about 450,000 miles of mild driving, hard mudding, steep hills, pulling out one tons... and the only reason I ended up rebuilding it was because a rol pin shook loose and caught between the gears and broke off a few teeth. then it would just click a little bit in first and second.

The last 50,000 miles was with 31" tires... It is a pretty decent transmission IMO. feels stronger then the M5OD to me but that may just because the 3.0L doesn't do good at low rpm's.

They aren't too hard to rebuild as long as you have a press. The whining could be caused by bad teeth or worn bearings, and bearings can get worn fast if they aren't lubricated... which going up a steep grade can cause the oil to go to the back and back faster if its warmed up alot.or just low fluid... Also with junk yard transmissions you never know what your getting.

So did you put the right fluid in? (80/85w90)(not ATF like the new ones) Was it full on fluid? How long did you drive it before going up the steep grade?

 

[Ozwynn]

replace and M5odR1

 

[spdcrazy]

replace and M5odR1

one of my fav mod's to my b2. but if your ranger is only gonna be used mildly, it might be easier and cheaper to rebuild. the m50d swap isn't a bolt in. need new driveshafts, move tranny xmember, clutch line, hole in the floor for the shifter, speedo correction, 4x4 lever..etc. some might not be needed in your case but it was for mine.

also im not sure why the pan is tilted, i didn't inspect much, just took it out when i lost first and reverse, then swaped it for the m50d when it blew up in cali

 

[piotrsko]

silly question: which Cali grade? can't think of any that would be so stiff that a properly filled tranny would not be throwing lubricant everywhere internally.

from what I remember, reverse sits way down in the pan in the back and is always spinning.

 

[fatt_owl2.9]

silly question: which Cali grade? can't think of any that would be so stiff that a properly filled tranny would not be throwing lubricant everywhere internally.

from what I remember, reverse sits way down in the pan in the back and is always spinning.

haha, it's the I-10 West out of the Salton Sink/Coachella Valley (Palm Springs) about a 5-mile grade up thru a mountain pass and out of the valley. It's possible that somehow the trans slowly leaked out all of it's fluid or something, and got too hot going up the grade. I really don't know exactly what caused it. It's having junkyard trans #2 installed right now, I'm just hoping that it works.