Hello all, first time post. I have an old beater 1988 Ranger 2.3 2WD with the M5R1 manual transmission with an issue I haven't seen any posts on. Bought this truck as a way for me to get some mechanical experience with fixing things, so i don't want to take it to a shop, would like to fix it on my own if possible.

So here's what's going on:
- Truck off, in neutral, wheels roll freely as expected. Can push the truck by hand, wheels not locked up
- Truck on, IN NEUTRAL, release clutch and engine dies. Feels like is just barely catching a gear
- All gears feel the same as neutral other than 4th, meaning once I release the clutch the engine dies. In 4th I can get the truck moving.
- Truck off, in gear, clutch engaged, truck does not move when pushed. Wheels locked up
- Shifter moves into all gears and feels just about normal
- Took the shifter off when it is in neutral and the buttons and middle gaps area align which tells me it is in fact in neutral.

So it seems like the truck is stuck in 4th gear when the engine is on, but when the engine is off I can get it into all the gears including neutral. Have no issue replacing the clutch, or trying to tackle a transmission rebuild, just want to try to get pointed in the right direction before I start spending money.

Unfortunately I don't know the events that led up to this issue. Took the truck over to a very trusted tire shop for some new shoes, truck ran fine. They call me 30 mins later with the problem above. Towed it back to my house and here we are.

 

Welcome to the forum

Transmission will need to come out and be rebuilt or swapped out
M5R1s were very reliable so it is odd to have a problem, which makes used ones not a big gamble

Bell housings do NOT detach on the M5R1s, so you can only use one from another 2.3l Lima Engine, so 1988-1997 years only, and 2WD only as well


The problem in yours is the input gear or counter shaft, for sure
1, 2, 3, 5 and R use these
4th does not, its 1:1 ratio, so direct drive, which is why it still works to move the vehicle

To change the input shaft or counter shaft you have to disassemble the whole transmission, so "rebuild it"

Good site to look for local used parts: https://www.car-part.com/

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As said 1988 thru 1997 M5R1 will work, it has the speedometer cable hook up, 1998 and up do not, 2001-2011 2.3l is NOT the same engine so can't work

 

Thanks @RonD , already found a used M5R1 on FB marketplace.

 

M5R1s use ATF(Mercon V) not gear oil, just a heads up

M5R1s have 3 rubber plugs at the top rear, they can dry out and leak, good to service them when trans is out, seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...g-maintenance/