1993 Ford Ranger Trans

[sprocketdog]

Hi all, my first post and need help already

The Ranger has 4ald tran and my problem is I live by a mountain grade which is about 7% grade

I haven't had this long and never had one before, so I don't really know what to expect.

I start up the hill and every thing seems to shift smoothly but when reaching 65, it shift into OD and can't handle the load and shifts back down. This goes on all the way up and I'm sure is not good for it.
I tried just drive and it does the same thing only a gear lower which I think may be second.

If I could some way lock out the OD in D1 like the button on my Toyota Camry, all would be good.

Is there a way of doing that?

This is a 4.0 liter and seems gutless to me anyway and only gets around 13mpg on this hill up and down and the best I have ever got is like 14.5

Thanks

 

[Fordmandan87]

well sprocket your gear ratio can affect everything as far as grades go . so my first question to you is what is your gear ratio(or at least the code on the door.) is your engine tuned up and as far as keeping it out of over drive just move the lever into the d position. this will allow for torque converter lockup but wont allow the vehicle to shift into 4th gear(which is .75:1 ratio). if this does not help then a good idea might be to drive 65.

 

[sprocketdog]

The AXLE code I found is R6 which I believe is a 3.73

As far as driving 65, that's the speed limit and I never drive faster

I'm 72 so speed isn't an issue, just power versus fuel consumption

By shifting into drive, the same thing happens. It won't hold 60 and shifts down and back just the same only at higher rpms

I'm lost on the shift sequence from 0 to 60 on lets say a flat and taking it easy

does it start in 1 then 2-3-4 or is a converter lockup considered a gear

If I run in drive, it what seems to me goes to 2nd over and shifts down to 2nd direct and in OD goes 3rd over(4th) and shifts down to 3rd direct

PS: The engine runs smooth at both idle and driving and had new plug wires, bosch platinum plugs put in and all tires engine etc. are stock, no mods anywhere

Haven't had a compression test done, but it uses no oil

 

[Fordmandan87]

Well you have probably the best gears that you can have for what your driving conditions are. I beleive that is is a normal condition for that truck. the truck is at a point to either it wants to shift to 4th or stay in locked up 3rd. its almost like being at 45 mph on a level road. it wants to shift but a mindfull foot tries not to go faster. lastly, torque converter lockup is not a gear although it sure does feel like one.

btw how long has this occured did you do a tune up and then it happened? it may sound stupid but i had boch plugs in my mom's vehicle and she lost top end power

 

[sprocketdog]

Thanks Fordman

I bought this about 4 months ago from a private and didn't try the pass right off the getgo. Now I know better

I tuned up with the wire and plugs trying to fix the problem

What should this rig get for MPG on a 200 mile trip?

 

[Fordmandan87]

well what engine do you have and how many miles are on your truck.

 

[sprocketdog]

It's a 4.0 and has about 120,000 on it

 

[RangerX]

I have a 93 with the 4.0, and I get 15-17 mpg, although I run 4.56's and 37's.
But I'm also at sea level, and it sounds like you're in the mountains? High altitude can have an effect on mpg, but I don't know to what degree...

The a4ld is a weak trans that doesn't last, maybe yours is starting to go. Have you checked the fluid level?

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Fordmandan87]

well to add to checking level how does it smell and what color is it? my vehicles were purchased with over 140,000 miles on em. with an explorer with federal emmissions i got 12-15 with california 15- 17. however my gear ratio was 3.27

 

[sprocketdog]

About one of the first things I did was have the trans filter changed and new fluid.

This mech is sharp and told me there was no signs of any leaks or metal during the change and the old fluid looked real good.

I may have wasted money, but I just ordered a jet performance module for it.
They claim higher end torque which looks like I need.

Whats your $.02 on those?

I had him check the MAF and he said it looked real clean and no build up of any kind. We also unplugged it to put it fail mode and there was a real difference so it sounds like it's working. We also did the 60mph and tap the break test to assure converter lockup and it jumped right up in rpm

The trans itself seems smooth and solid. I have never tried the stall test, it seems pretty harsh to me especially on an old unit

I have give thought to the oxygen sensor but have tried any test on it.

Thanks for your concerns on this

 

[RangerX]

I may have wasted money, but I just ordered a jet performance module for it.
They claim higher end torque which looks like I need.

Will you need to run premium gas with that?

 

[Fordmandan87]

sprocket see if it does the same thing at 70 and what rpm are you at when you it 65

 

[sprocketdog]

RangerX

Those carvings are great

On a little different note, here in idaho, some loggers do animals and totem poles out of logs with chain saws.