Is this what is meant by transmission slipping?

[ck1938]

Sorry to ask a dumb question but I'm not sure if what my 91 is doing fits the description of a slipping transmission or if it is something else. Looking through the threads the last few days I haven't found anyone describing a slipping problem the same way my truck is behaving.

It's a 91 XLT 2 wheel drive with a manual 5 speed transmission. I shift into a new gear, have my foot all the way off the clutch and start to step on the gas. Instead of starting to accelerate normally it doesn't seem to be getting all the power right away. It begins moving immediately but sluggishly. It is taking 2-3 seconds for the wheels to get all the power and begin accelerating normally. The RPM's jump up like I'm stepping on the gas while I'm in neutral even though some of that power is moving the vehicle. Most of the descriptions of slipping seem to be the car not going into gear or slipping out of gear. Is this something else?

 

[Willard]

Usually a slipping transmission is referring to an automatic transmission that isn't engaging a gear completely. In your case it sounds like a bad clutch.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I second the clutch diagnosis. Classic symptoms, relatively easy fix.

 

[ck1938]

Thanks. That makes sense. Now I just have to see how much that will cost to get replaced. It doesn't sound like something I can do myself. I don't have the equipment or knowledge. I had a 67 LeMans with a clutch you, or whoever you had working on the car, could make small adjustments to. Based on the posts I've read it sounds like the Explorer doesn't have this luxury.