Looking for advice on possible 91 explorer purchase

[lorelei2011]

We are looking at a 91 Explorer (automatic) that has a transmission problem for $300 body's in decent shape has average rust under back doors but not horrible.

The owner says it works fine in reverse but when in drive it will not go very fast basically from what i understand won't shift out of 1st gear it's on it's second transmission. My question is do you all think the transmission in it is save-able. I know I've read in a few different places it could need a filter and fluid change but what else could it be. I'm not too knowledgeable on auto transmissions as I strongly prefer manuals but I guess it's time to learn how to troubleshoot

I'm hoping to hear its save-able because he said he'll sell it cheap they've owned it since it was new and it's got 241,000km on it which is only about 6000km higher then my 96 all in all not bad for a 91. I'm looking at this for my boyfriend cause I'm sick of sharing mine with him.

Thanks all.

 

[Lifted92]

I have a 92 it's the generation of explorers. First gen are extremely known for the weak transmissions in them. Around me you can get used trans for a couple hundred at most. If you can get it cheap I'd say get it. What you can do to save the trans is drop the pan change the filter but don't drain all the fluid the filter and gaskets comes together at autozone for like 15 bucks. Put the mercon 5 I believe is the fluid and add a quart of Lucas stop slip. If that doesn't work replace the trans for a couple hundred bucks.