First off, 2004 ranger edge 3.0 5-speed 2wd, all stock except for tires. Recently I've started to hear some loud clunks when accelerating from a stop followed be chattering and some metal scratching up through mid 3rd. I figured brakes or wheel bearing since the noise seems to come from the front half of the truck. Well I think that assumption was wrong. Around 40 mph, if I desngage the clutch or put it in neutral I get some heavy vibrations in the stick. Once I drop below 35 mph the vibration in the stick stops. But at every single stop, the bad clunking, rattling, and slight squeels start again until I reach mid 3rd gear. So I'm pretty sure I'm looking at something in the tranny whether it be input shaft bearing, clutch or something else. Dont hear any noises through floorboard. At some point I even thought rear end because I know I've had a leaking axle seal for a while, but the noise isnt coming from the rear half that I can tell. Anyone got any ideas for me to look at? I have to wait at least a week before I can take off of work to start even looking at things so maybe someon can point me in a general direction. Any help is appreciated!

 

That sounds more like a bad u-joint or two than a trans problem.Can you park it on the level somewhere , block the tires ,trans in neutral and try moving the driveshaft around at each u-joint.
Also,if you have the two piece driveshaft,check the slip yoke as they are known to bind causeing a clunk on takeoff.

 

Thanks a ton for the suggestion, right on the money. Nice sunny day with a high of 45, lovely. First the autoparts guy tried to give me the wrong size u-joints. Got to work, marked everything and taking out the driveshaft was cake. Lucky for me my father-in-law just got a new press a couple weeks ago which made it quick and easy. Popped both the old ones out, put both the new ones in. I think the worst part of the day was the bathroom break with cold a$$ hands lol. Everything back in and works great, no noises or vibrations now. In the picture you can see the old damaged u-joint, one side full of rust and the other broken into pieces. It was on the transmission end, both bearings on the driveshaft side.