Hello, new to this ranger thing. So here goes, I have a 2001 ranger, automatic transmission, 2.3L engine, 225,000 miles on this bad boy. So there are quite a few issues I'm having with the transmission. When its cold, I put it in reverse and it takes a minute to engage, once it does engage I press the gas and it goes for a second then seems to disengage so I let it sit until it reengages. Same thing with putting it into D. It takes a minute to engage, it feels like it slips engine revs a little bit then it shifts hard into gear and goes. Once its warmed up it shifts good and runs great. It wont go into L1 but will go and drive in L2. I took it to a transmission shop and had them diagnose it. They said it has been neglected and has over heated. The shop seemed legit but I just can't go their route to get it fixed plus I kind of want a second opinion! They pulled a code but don't have it on me at the moment. Repair for the transmission is close to what the truck is worth. I'm not looking to keep this truck for a long time. I have tried to find a transmission for this truck but it is so hard to come by. I find a lot of transmissions for 3.0 but have yet to find one for my 2.3L. All the research and forums I have read said that they are pretty much the same transmission on these vehicles just different bell housing. So my questions are:

1. What are your recommendations?
2. If I find a transmission off of a 3.0, will changing the bell housing to mount to my 2.3 work. Will the bell housing mount to the transmission for is it a different style?
3. Any ideas on why it wont go into L1?
4. Any ideas of where to find a cheap used tranny?


I live in North Carolina near Raleigh incase anyone was wondering. Hope this is not too much information, anything will help at this point.

 

Welcome to the forum

You will have a 5R44E 5-speed automatic in a 2001 Ranger with 2.3l Duratec DOHC engine

Good transmission, but like all vehicles manual or automatic it does need to be serviced as miles add up
Manuals can use up 2 to 3 clutches in 250k miles and if you don't do it yourself you are looking at around $800 each time
Thats $1,600 to $2,400 depending on the miles so if you change filter and fluids on an automatic and don't over heat it then cost per mile is about the same
Main benefit of manual trans is clutch replacement has a better comfort level for DIYers


All Automatics run on pressure, Reverse requires the highest pressure, 175psi, forward gears 125+psi.
As they get more miles the seals and gaskets inside can leak, which lowers internal pressure.
Reverse engagement is where you notice the lower pressure first, because.......it requires highest pressure.
Automatics don't have "gears" like manual trans, they have bands and clutches, the bands are the BRAKES that stop part of the trans from turning, clutches engage to start part of the trans turning
Bands need pressure to apply the brakes
Clutches need pressure to stay engaged, not slip

Once trans starts to slip in forward "gears" your pressure is low, and you will be burning bands and clutch surfaces
You can usually smell the fluid and it will have a burned smell, and darker color
At this point you really need to rebuild because of the band and clutch wear.

The rear of bell housing on an automatic is the front case for the Main pump inside the transmission.
You can swap bell housings but it does require a bit of rebuilding because you have to get Main pump seated and aligned to new housing

Short video on that here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-L71-udS_g

A4LD, 4R and 5R are the same transmissions, only slight changes between years
44E was used on 4cyl and 3.0l V6
55E was only used with 4.0l V6

Some have just unbolted bell housing and swapped it over aligned it and bolted it up, no other disassembly
Not sure of long term out come of that
Your money and your time

You might call and ask a few trans shops if they would swap bell housings for you, AS IS no warranty, because full rebuild is the only way you would get a warranty

Yes, there were at least 3 or 4 times more 3.0l Rangers than 4cyl, so will be more 3.0l transmissions available

 

I appreciate the response, it was very helpful.