please help 1996 ford explorer o/d light transmission problem

[christina30]

hi i am very new to this so forgive me.I am very car clueless and usely leave car stuff to my husband who has been traveling with work for several months now.I will start off be telling you what my car is 1996 ford explorer,v6,188,000 miles.4x4.I have been having problems with car shaking since christmas.I took it to shop and they said it was transfer case.So I had it replaced 3 weeks ago.Shaking didnt stop all together.It was alot better they said it was from back end .could b a tire,wheel,or shock,they didnt know but was alot better.I went and had tires checked,balanced and rotated.I drove car 250 miles to see husband,then 250 miles back.Was fine a little shaky still.Then the Easter weekend came up and I drove 300 miles to get him and then drove home.Car was still same shake.I always make sure fluids are filled.So anyways on easter sunday i had to drive him back 300 miles.he checked trans fluid and it had a little black in it.He said have it flushed on monday.I got up to where we were going and shaking was really bad and it was very loud.I was just praying to make it home.I waited for 8 hours then left.I drove about 200 miles and shaking stopped all together,no noise no nothing.Thought how lucky.(how stupid was I LOL)30 miles along the o/d light began flashing.and honestly I didnt even no what it was for.I pulled over and seemed fine so I drove on.35 miles later I see the dash going from 2 to 6 and staying there.If I took foot of gas it would fall to one.If i touched gas hit 6.I was hoping to make it to exit but couldn't car was coming to stop and started smoking.I pulled off and called for help.It was towed to a garage where i dont trust what they say as we have had things replaced there that didnt need to be.They say trans is shot.I was wondering if it is and what do i need to replace.I know about rebuild kit.do i need to purchase anything else.Have called around and found another trans but it is very high miles and big bucks.any suggestions i am totally open and greatful for.Could it be something else.
thanks,
christina30

 

[Glacier991]

Christina.... the flashing OD light indicates you have a stored transmission code.... that will tell a lot. The barely touch the gas and peg the tachometer is a very strange thing to hear.... I cannot explain that.

Generally shake as you describe is an out of balance situation... driveshafts and U joints figure in a majority of those cases.... rarely transmissions.

It MAY be that your transmission has gone south on you... there just is not enough info here to be able to really tell much. That transmission code would be very valuable.