I'm new to the forum and new to Rangers. I just bought a 2000 ranger with 201,000 miles for just a few hundred bucks. It seems to run fine. I bought it knowing the transmission would probably need replaced/rebuilt. I'm sure there are threads already on here pertaining to some of my questions. If so, feel free to direct me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

This ranger is the 4.0L V6 4x4 automatic with the 5R55E transmission.

The transmission seems to shift smoothly through the first few gears, but I don't think it goes into 5th gear. Sometimes it will downshift somewhat rough at slower speeds and then flash the O/D light on the dash cluster. This light clears when the pickup is shut off. I did have a few codes read, they were incorrect gear ratio in 1st, 3rd, and 4th gears. It will start to vibrate through the floorboard around 55 mph, but this vibration almost goes completely away it seems when it gets warmed up. I've been told this vibration could be the torque converter???

Any thoughts? Was this worth $500?

Next, I'm planning on replacing the transmission myself (I am mechanically inclined with some experience and have a friend to help that has done this before). Where is the best place to get a good quality remanufactured transmission? I like the convenience of being able to pick it up in store (Oreilly, autozone, etc.), but are transmissions from these box stores good quality?

While I have the transmission out is there any other maintenance that would be smart for me to do at this time?

 

Welcome to the forum

Why not see how much a local trans shop would charge for the rebuild, if you bring them the trans and pick it up?

It reads like one or more of the solenoids are sticking or leaking
With a rebuild you get a new Valve Body, this is the part that has all the solenoids, new they cost $150-$200, updated versions, and bonded separator plate, $40-$50
And you can change these without taking transmission out

The other parts in a transmission that need to be changed are the clutches, bands(brakes), OD drum and front pump(only use Ford brand pump)
These require transmission to be pulled out, but they also tend to last longer than valve body and solenoids, unless trans has been slipping for a long time which wears out the clutches and bands

So you could do the valve body, and if that didn't solve the problem then pull out trans and have local shop rebuild it using the new valve body, so not wasted money


I would just look at reviews from the different sources of Rebuilds, the auto parts stores should list "who" did the rebuilds, if not call them and ask
The thing about rebuilt automatics is that the main(front) pump MUST be changed, and the OD drum on these transmissions, and it MUST be a Ford pump, 3rd party just don't last
Many just change the clutches and bands which means trans may last about 18 to 24 months before there is another problem, so just past warranty, lol


The 5R55E is an A4LD transmission, just has more solenoids, thats why if you look for a 5R55E part A4LD will be listed as well
Good read here on A4LD: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml