I am a new owner of a 2000 Ranger 2.5L, 4x2, manual transmission. I was looking under the Ranger to investigate a noise and found a loose part bouncing around on my driveshaft.
It is a heavy metal cylinder about 6" in diameter and 3 " long with a rubber ring inside. It is bouncing around on the driveshaft where the universal joints connect to the transmission.
As seen in the pictures it has been chewed up from banging around. I have the factory shop manual and Haynes Manual but I can't figure out what the part is and how to fix it. Thanks Paul G

 

Welcome to the forum

It was only used on some of the 4cyl Ranger, its a vibration damper

Unbolt the drive shaft from the rear axle then pull it out of the transmission

The damper is bolted on, you will see how after drive shaft is out

Unbolt it and remove it, and then reassemble, most say they don't notice any vibration without it in place
The damper is also no longer available in any case

 

I don't remember mine being bolted on, but I remember it falling off in similar fashion.

You would be wise to get the shaft re-balanced afterwards.

 

My 1994 b2300 has something that looks like the picture above... do they fail and cause a metallic squealing sound when taking off from a stop?