tranny

[95RangerAK]

so i am installing a tranny and engine from a 98 explorer into a 95 ranger. both 4.0 both auto 5spds. i am having one hell of a time trying to get the top tranny bolt in, the one that also goes through the bracket on the tranny dipstick. its way up there and i cant get the bolt to thread in with my fingers let alone get in there with a wrench. any ideas?

 

[Earl43P]

I haven't done a 4.0, but I'll tell you this.

If your exhaust isn't limiting your travel, assuming the engine mounts are installed along with all the other trans to block bolts, try using the transmission crossmember (attached to tranny only) to apply downward force on the tail end of the trans.

This will make the motor swivel "fan upward" in the engine bay, so watch for clearance issues in there.

Prop the crossmember or do like I did and have the wife step on it for a while. That should open up a lot of room at the top for you to work that one bolt. That works great on a 2.3 since there is no exhaust Y-pipe.

 

[mjonesjr]

If you have all the other bolts in and tight, jack up the rear of the transmission. That will push the top of the engine away from the fire wall a bit giving you a tad more room.

 

[95RangerAK]

yea i have all the accessories and fan and radiator and everything in its just that one bolt and tranny dipstick. while you guys might be reading this any idea how to post pics?

 

[rboyer]

2 foot socket extension and a little tape to hold the bolt to the socket. Need I say more?

 

[rurouni20xx]

grease in your socket works too.

 

[95RangerAK]

there is barely enough room for me to squeeze my hand in there to feel the bolt hole...

 

[95RangerAK]

got it in and running. the explorer trans was a 4speed 4r70w instead of the ranger 5r55e 5 speed. the truck now gives me the trans overheading warning light (overdrive light blinks) and it shifts hard and at wrong shift points. i didnt plug all the wires in from the explorer trans to the ranger connectors because they were different. got any ideas on what to do?