So i got myself a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT with the 4.0 v6 and auto tranny. 170k roughly. When i bought the truck the guy said sometimes it doesnt like to start in Drive gotta start in 2nd. Well sure enough when dropping it into Drive it just sits there and revs like its in neutral, if you sit and wait there long enough or get a roll going it’ll pop into drive eventually, but very rough and it does not sound good. So ive just been starting in first, rolling a few feet and then popping it into drive. Seems to shift through all the other gears fine when in drive. Reverse is good too. Fluid was too high when i got it so i pumped some out. Was a good red color and got it to the right level. So i guess im wondering what should i look into fixing in the transmission? Just replace it? just keep rolling with it or will it cause further damage to the Transmission. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

Well known symptom on all automatics since the very first one back in the 1950's, but not "common", just a failing with automatics
Your one-way clutch(sprag) is broken, its what needs to engage in Drive to get you moving from stopped
When you shift into 1st the Coast clutch will engage and get you rolling, then you can shift into Drive and it should go along OK
Its sending metal fillings thru the system, so heads up, good flush of trans and trans cooler and lines will be needed once repaired

Will need a full rebuild to repair, or low mile used swap

2000 4.0l OHV will have a 5R55E automatic, you can use a 1998 thru 2011 5R55E from a 4.0l OHV or SOHC,.......with matching drivetrain, i.e. 2WD or 4WD, this part is not convertible
The 2001-2011 models will have two extra external sensors, not needed for 2000 computer so just left unconnected
But internally and 16pin plug in are the same 1998-2011