1997 ranger trans??

[mikesttgt]

Hey guys im a newbie to this site, alot of good all-around info here, Anyway im having a problem with a 1997 ranger 3.0/2wd/auto, whenever any forward gear is selected it takes quite sometime to engage and when it does its violent with a nice clunk, when its cold outside no forward gear will work until the truck hits opperating temp and still its violent engagement, all the while reverse works just fine. The filter is new and fluid is good, in the past ive re-built th-400's for my race car but this tranny looks intimidating and im not sure where or what to check or start with. Any suggestions

 

[my pos mounty]

Sounds like a rebuild is in your future. Read the "stickys" in this section. If you have rebuilt trannys before, those should put you at ease.

 

[mikesttgt]

Sounds like a rebuild is in your future. Read the "stickys" in this section. If you have rebuilt trannys before, those should put you at ease.

Ive been over the stickys and searched several posts I cant narrow down if it is a valve-body problem or if it is an internal problem. Ive always used full-manual vb's in transmissions ive worked on so its always been a pretty simple chore, Im thinking a newer tranny might be alot more complex than the older th-400's.