Trans Rebuild Kit...Is it worth it?

[gary762]

I'm going to replace my clutch soon and I figured since I'm dropping the tranny anyway is it worth rebuilding the tranny while its out?

I've seen kits for a few hundred bucks. I dont really have any problems with it, but the gears do grind a little. I've got about 80K miles on the truck. I've figured new synchros and what-not might fix it.

I've got a 1999 Ranger XLT, 2.5L, 5-speed manual.

Any suggestions? Experiences? Thanks!

 

[LittleHorse]

They may be grinding due to the worn clutch. Unless you've done it before, rebuilding a manual transmission is something best left to the experienced. Lots of areas where it isn't as simple as taking it apart and putting it back together.

Besides that, there are too many of them available at relatively low prices for rebuilding to really be cost effective right now.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've got my turbo ranger with about 200k on the tranny and it shifts better than my explorer with probably 100k on it (both M5OD)

they grind every now and then, it happens (on my two it seems to do it most often into second for no apparent reason), it's $300 you could spend elsewhere, and in the grand scheme of things it's not all that hard to get out of there...

 

[gary762]

Tran Options

You guys are right. Not worth the cost.
I'll stick with the clutch replacement and leave the tranny alone.

 

[Frank The Tank]

80k? are you kidding........

I have 230k on my stock clutch!!!! and Ive towed with it.

I row gears like I'm controlling the trucks heartbeat with it.
after 200k miles that's when the synchro's get good and broke in.

Frank

 

[Hopman]

80k? are you kidding........

I've got 153k on my '94 2.3 4x4 with the factory clutch, and I'm the third owner of the truck!!!!!

Either your truck came with a crapola clutch or somebody (maybe a prievous owner) doesn't know how to drive a stick correctly!!!!

A clutch (when used and NOT abused) should go 125K-150K.

I row gears like I'm controlling the trucks heartbeat with it.

A trucker tought me this: You should ne able to shift gears with your fingertips, not your whole arm! I admit I may miss a gear now & then, but we all do. You don't need to be shifting at redline evey time. I try to shift when the revs are no higher than 3,000, but that's only when I'm going up a hill and need a little more oomph. Most of the time, it's between 1800-2200. That's the sweet spot on my truck.

 

[Frank The Tank]

I just like shifting, I'll just go back and forth out of boredome and to hear the pipes crackel.

technically I don't have a stock clutch it was a totaled truck when I got it........ so the trans has 230k the clutch only has 200k miles. I got to thinking about that.

I bobbed the shifter a couple inches and put on a wooden shift handle..... it's a pretty short throw.

If I'm eating a sandwich or something I don't use the clutch between shifts...... that's my trucks sweet spot when it goes into gear. (I don't have a tach)

Frank

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm on clutch #3, clutch #2 failed early because I didn't have the flywheel surfaced and it had a heck of a step in it by the time it slipped bad, that and there for a while I was running 28" tires and 3.08 gears, that required a bit of clutch work, and now with the 4x4 and turbo the clutch gets abused at times...

 

[gary762]

Finished Job

I had the flywheel resurfaced.
I got the fenco clutch kit as recommended.
I replaced the slave/bearing assy.

And now she runs like a champ again!

Also as recommended on another post I replaced the parts that hold the ball of the sfifter on top of the tranny. It feels like a new truck.

I appreciate everyones advice. I'm expecting many more years of reliable service.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i just rebuilt mine, is shifts excellent but not really worth it unless you're grinding bad. i'd say the largest improvement was from new shifter bushings

 

[gary762]

i just rebuilt mine, is shifts excellent but not really worth it unless you're grinding bad. i'd say the largest improvement was from new shifter bushings

Well, I had another problem with it I didn't spell out on this post.
My truck made a loud rattling noise even at idle. When the flywheel was resurfaced there was a mild but noticable warp to it, and the clutch plate springs rattled like a tambourine. Since the rebuild, my truck idles nice and quiet now.