2002 Ford Ranger 4.0 auto 4wd. When I move the shifter in 2 on the column, is that the first gear with the overdrive band, or techincally "3rd gear," but what would be 2nd gear without the overdrive band on first...if this makes any sense.

Just wondering because I plan on doing some truck pulls next year with it, and would like to avoid engaging that overdrive band to since it is pretty weak.

 

When you put it in "2" when parked, it'll put the trans in 1st, it'll shift into second and stay there until you shift it into D or 3.

 

From parked it starts out in 2nd gear, but just curious as to what they define as second gear. Parents 01 Escape does the same thing.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

When your 5-speed Ranger automatic is in lever position "2", the transmission is locked in 3rd gear. It will start from rest in 3rd and stay in 3rd.

The 5 speed 5R44E/5R55E is basically just a 4 speed with an additional shaft speed sensor and more complex electronic control software. The new second gear in the 5 speed is created by using 1st with overdrive. The new third gear is exactly equivalent to the earlier second gear and so on down the list.

2nd gear (1st + O/D) in the 5-speed is skipped in most driving and is only used during heavier acceleration for performance improvement. There is no lever position that can select it.


Comparison of 4R44E/4R55E 4-speed and 5R44E/5R55E 5-speed:

4R44E, 4R55E
1st 2.47
2nd 1.47
3rd 1.00
4th 0.75 (1.00 x 0.75)
5th ---

5R44E, 5R55E
1st 2.47
2nd 1.85 (2.47 x 0.75) <----(added "gear" in the 5-speed is 1st w/ O/D)
3rd 1.47
4th 1.00
5th 0.75 (1.00 x 0.75)

 

So in drive with OD off that would be 4th right?

 

Selecting D w/ the O/D OFF allows automatic shifting in gears 1st through 4th.