Hi this is my first post , lets see what happens...I have a 97 ranger 4x4 3.0 manual, trans shifts smooth but the problem is that when i take tension of the trans by slowing down it comes out of gear and when i try to put it back in gear or just try to hit gas after braking it just makes a sound kind of like a drill and i have to come to almost a complete stop to get it to go back into gear again, has anyone else had this problem and know what it is?

 

It could be the shifter is loose, worn bushings.
Is there alot of side to side play when shifter is in gear?
Have a look here at the replacement of the bushings: TRS Magazine - Shifter Bushing Replacement

If the shifter is not pushing the Dog gear all the way into the gear then it can pop out when pressure is removed, like slowing down, this can also be caused by worn shift fork or Dog gear, these would be specific to one gear set, like 1-2 or 3-4 or 5-reverse.
This would require removal of transmission to repair.

The popping out of gear does cause excessive wear on parts, so should be avoided, hold it in gear until repairs can be done.

 

thanks for the reply, I just went out and checked there isn't much play in it , 3rd and 4th have slightly more play but it has done it when i was in 5th, i just got the truck yesterday so haven't driven too much just noticed this on the ride home unfortunately , haven't tried to hold it in gear not sure if that would work to hold it in or not