This is my first post, and I'm sure this has been answered before but after hours of digging no luck I had to reach out for opinions.
This forum has helped with a lot of minor cosmetic/mechanical issues thus far and I'm greatful for this community

As stated, I have a 2000 Ranger with a 3.0 engine, I believe the transmission itself is the factory 4R44E/4R55E 4X2
I am a novice in terms of car repairs and I try my best to research anything before making a purchase for or service on the vehicle.

First off: to start the truck I have to have it in neutral and the parking gear itself slips when I am parking (loud clanks before it catches)
Secondly: every couple days while driving upon putting the truck in the standard drive gear will only rev as if in neutral, and to resolve switching to D1 back to D fixes this
Third: the D2 gear option can not be shifted into only d1

Appreciate any information on this, I'm paying for college and really trying not to over pay for a fix.

 

Welcome to the forum

First issue is fairly straight forward, your column shifter is most likely loose, common issue on all Ford trucks

Google: Ford Ranger loose column shifter

Loads of videos on checking that

Could also be the shift cable sheath has split, give it a look where it comes out of firewall in engine bay and as it curves down to transmission

Loose shifter or failing cable means when you shift into Park the transmission shift arm is not being pulled all the way into park, this does two things, one, Park doesn't engage right way and two, the DTR(neutral) switch is not moved into its Park position so will not pass START signal to starter motor


Second issue is bad......................
The forward one-way clutch(sprag) has failed inside the transmission, requires full rebuild to replace
Yes, you have a 4R44E in a 2000 3.0l Ranger(55e was 4.0l only)

If you want to replace with used you are in luck, you can used a 1995-2008 4R44E or 5R44E from a 2WD 3.0l Ranger or Mazda B3000 in your 2000 Ranger
I assume yours is 2WD and not 4x4
The 1998-2000 Rangers used rear axle ABS sensor for speedometer, so you can use 1995-2008(last year of 3.0l) in your 2000 Ranger
MUST be from 3.0l Vulcan engine, Rangers/Mazdas, or it won't bolt to your engine
Flex doesn't matter for transmission

The 5R44E is NOT really a 5 speed, its the same transmission as the 4R44E but Ford added software in 2001-2008 computer that could activate OverDrive while still in 1st, which allowed for smoother shifting and called that, new 2nd gear, so now a 5-speed, lol
Wiring is the same on all years, plug and play
The 2001-2008 5R44Es will have 2 extra sensors on the outside which you don't need, but don't hurt anything