Long overdue update...
Well, I changed the filter/fluid. I had also ordered the seal for the low/reverse gear servo to change while I was in there. Good thing -that seal was so worn out that the servo fell out into my hand! (and for some reason the spring was
completely missing.)
Unfortunately, once I got everything back together and went to test it, I ran into another snag. You see, I had the rear wheels up on ramps and the fronts on jack stands (maybe not the smartest decision). SO, when I was about to put the tranny into gear, I thought: "hmmmmm.... if this grabs and lurches, I could be in a heap of trouble." (Of course, the metal clip for e-brake cable had rusted away a while before, so it was useless.) Anyhow, I pushed down a little harder on the brake and then.... the pedal fell to the floor. Ugh. Tried it once more: straigt to the floor. So, I got out and looked - sure enough, one of the brake lines had blown and was squirting fluid all over the floor.
So, once I got the brake line replaced (a week or two later), I was able to finally test the tranny. ....IT WORKED! And the 1st gear delay/clunk was gone. Only it didn't seem to want to go engage OD - but I still hadn't done the band adjustment.
Now for the sad part.... I got rid of the truck less than a month after that. For better or worse, I decided to trade it on a cash-for-clunkers deal and got the wifey a new car. I miss having a little work truck (I now drive her old car), but I couldn't argue with the deal. I got as much out of the truck as I had into it from the time I bought it in 2005 - plus I had driven it and used it for many projects over 4 years and 40K miles and the wifey is very happy.
...nevertheless, I still miss the little bugger.
Anyhow, I don't foresee being able to afford another truck for a few years. So I won't be around here much, if at all. Even though I didn't post much here, I read quite a few of your posts over 4 years. Thanks for all the tips and advice. Take care and so long.
