I have read many threads on this excellent board about shift flaring and VB rebuilding. I have a 96 Ranger 4.0 4x2 that has a bad 2-3 flare. Truck has 143k on it and has never been worked on (original owner). I changed the tranny fluid every 30k.
It has had the flare for several years... getting bad now. It is really bad after getting off the highway, it will rev up 500 RPM. In heavy city traffic it will only rev up 200 RPM. No codes or flashing OD light.
Now most of the threads I have read are about the 5R55E but it is supposed to be very similar. Does the 4R55E suffer the same ills, like bonded gasgets, etc? Would a shift kit/Ford kit that addresses the shift flaring be beneficial considering the milage? I mean if I get rid of the flare will the improved shifts tear up the rest of the box? I have only towed a couple of times and drive pretty conservatively.
If I go with the shift kit should I do the ECP solenoid?
If I do the shift kit I was thinking of changing the fluid then opening it up to work on the VB so as not to put dirty fluid into the updated VB. Is this correct? I bought the ATSG but did not really read it yet.
Before I found this board I got the ATSG and was trying to locate a pressure gauge to start diagnosing the problem. Do I really need to measure the pressures based on the history of these things and the VB issues? Can I just assume the VB needs updating? My tranny may be worn and has a 2-3 flare but do you think it is shot? I would like to drive this truck 50k more miles and of course don't want to spend more than I have to on it.
Thanks,
Karl
It has had the flare for several years... getting bad now. It is really bad after getting off the highway, it will rev up 500 RPM. In heavy city traffic it will only rev up 200 RPM. No codes or flashing OD light.
Now most of the threads I have read are about the 5R55E but it is supposed to be very similar. Does the 4R55E suffer the same ills, like bonded gasgets, etc? Would a shift kit/Ford kit that addresses the shift flaring be beneficial considering the milage? I mean if I get rid of the flare will the improved shifts tear up the rest of the box? I have only towed a couple of times and drive pretty conservatively.
If I go with the shift kit should I do the ECP solenoid?
If I do the shift kit I was thinking of changing the fluid then opening it up to work on the VB so as not to put dirty fluid into the updated VB. Is this correct? I bought the ATSG but did not really read it yet.
Before I found this board I got the ATSG and was trying to locate a pressure gauge to start diagnosing the problem. Do I really need to measure the pressures based on the history of these things and the VB issues? Can I just assume the VB needs updating? My tranny may be worn and has a 2-3 flare but do you think it is shot? I would like to drive this truck 50k more miles and of course don't want to spend more than I have to on it.
Thanks,
Karl
