Hi there, i have an 06 Mazda B4000, you know a Ranger in disguise. Anyway for a little while (2 weeks) the transmission was running a bit loud and i wasn't sure why, so i finally checked the oil in it and topped it off with 80w90 gear oil. Before finding out it was low, it was making some bizarre sound that i'm not sure how to describe when i would hold the clutch down coming to a stop it didn't sound like the end of the world but definitely that something in there was turning. The idea that it was low on oil didn't hit me at first since i had never once seen any sign or evidence that it was leaking. Then i look underneath only to find out it had a drop of oil hanging where the transmission ends and the transfercase begins. I did overfill it a little because i have to use a floor jack to get under there, it might 4x4 but its not a high rider by any means. Its been running great with more oil in there as was needed, but tonight when i started it it wanted to lunge forward, and then try grinding gears once i was putting it in reverse. Then on the 30 plus mile drive home it ran great , like it was new. Every time i've checked the slave cylinder reservoir its been full. And the slave cylinder itself was replaced earlier this year 2019. So what is there that anyone can suggest? This is my first Ford Ranger so its been a learning curve since i bought it a year ago.

 

First problem is that the m50dr1 Trans you have requires Merton V ATF, not gear oil. These transmissions have small needle bearings that gear oil doesn't quite lube correctly. I'd drain and refill with the proper fluid first.

 

Welcome to the forum

YES +1 ^^^^

1988-2011 Rangers(1994 and up Mazda B-series) used the M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmissions, they ALL use ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission

DRAIN IT NOW!!!!

Transfer case also uses ATF or similar

 

The shifting issues can be contributed to the oil, but if they persist after the oil is changed, then it leads to a clutch engagement issue.