When I shift into reverse on the first start of the day, it shudders for 2 seconds then goes into gear. Is my tranny about to die? It only has 40,000 miles and is a 2004.

 

Automatic/Manual?

 

5 speed automatic, first for that year I think.

 

Bump. Same problem, but mine does it after a long trip on highway.

 

Same problem here, but with the A4LD. More than likely due to me not having gotten around to flushing out the old fluid and replacing the filter.

 

Has the fluid ever been changed? If not, I would try that before anything else.

If the fluid has been flushed, was it with Mercon V? The fluid must be Mercon V or something that meets that spec.

I have heard of these transmissions sometimes having slow reverse engagement...I think a valve body rebuild is required to fix it.

 

A flush will probably fix it. If that doesn't work, will this kill the tranny?

 

It's hard to say if ignoring the shudder will do damage to the transmission. Personally, I would try to get it fixed. If it is the valve body (it may not be), remanufactured ones are a little over $100.

 

Check this thread
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...else-fine.html