5-Speed Problems! Just in time for the holidays :-)

[ChrisCam02]

Hi Guys!
I'm Chris- this is my first post here to this fine establishment. A month ago, I bought a '91 XL 4x4 5-speed... :redexp: and just a couple of days ago the tranmission started to go screwy (UHG!)! I went to throw it into reverse, and NO REVERSE! I tried it a couple of times and still no luck, once in a while it would catch and go into reverse. The first couple of time reverse would catch, but when I went to give it any gas- it popped (not popped in the sense that the gear-shifter moved) out of gear. Also- There seemed to be a lot of smoke, and It smelt horrid like my clutch burning... hmm. I know I'll need to get some work done. I guess my real question is that is it safe to drive it without hurting anything else until I get the tranny work done? I'm a high school student (A very mature senior, don't flame me for being a "kid" doing stupid stuff to his truck- I'm a very serious guy) and I don't have as much money as you other guys . Let me know your opinion- I don't want to break it even more (but I don't have transportation!)
-Chirs

 

[TPLYNCH]

You need to check the fluid level. Also, check the rubber plugs on the top of the tranny. Make sure they did not dry up and fall out, cause that will cause the fluid to go Bye-Bye! I would suggest reading up on the info at the following site. The knowledge will prove invaluable to you with the '91. Good luck, welcome to the board, and I hope we can make your stay a pleasant one! Dead Link Removed