I have a 96 ranger the radiator was back feeding into the tranny so I had to replace the radiator and flushed the system.. i also flushed the tranny out with 15 quarts but it jerks going into gear and slips taking off when it's cool. After I run it it takes off fine. Is my tranny going out? Or do i need to flush it again? I was also wondering how do i convert it into a 5 speed if it does go out i really want to swap it to a manual. Thanks for your time please feel free message me I'm new to this forum stuff

 

Welcome to the forum

About how long do you think you ran the transmission with coolant(water) inside?

The water dissolves the glue in the clutch discs so not great to run it that way
Flushing it with 15 quarts should have got all the water out, but enough damage may have already been done

The Transmission is 22 years old, I assume it was rebuilt before?
And how many miles since it was?

If you don't know then I would just plan on doing a rebuild at some point, start saving up for it, and drive until you can't, add some "transfix" or similar product to trans fluid.
Or look for a used lower mile transmission, you have a 4R44E model in 1996, but must Match Engine size, and 2WD or 4x4 which ever you have, or you have to rebuild it to match


Manual trans swap is not an easy task
You need an M5OD-R1 transmission that MATCHES YOUR ENGINE, i.e. if you have a 3.0l engine then only an M5OD-R1 from a 3.0l engine will work, there are no adapters
Also 2WD or 4x4, can't use an M5OD-R1 from a 2WD on a 4x4, or visa versa
Also needs to be from a 1997 or older vehicle if 2WD, they still have speedometer drive in tail shaft housing, 1998 and up do not

If 2WD then you will need rear drive shaft from 2WD manual Ranger, also match regular or extended cab length

You also need Computer(PCM) change, PCMs came with Manual or Automatic software, so you need a 1996 PCM from a Ranger with (engine size) and manual trans, 2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter to computer in 1996
The engine will run with existing PCM and manual trans but..............CEL(check engine light) will come on and stay on because PCM will be checking the solenoids in an automatic transmission, and they won't be there, so PCM turns on the CEL, there is no "fix" or bypass for this, just need to get a manual trans PCM


Then the Clutch/Brake pedal assembly and clutch Master cylinder

Steering Column, this is optional but if you change to manual trans you will still have the column shifter there............so putting in a steering column from a manual Ranger would look better

In my opinion, you are better off selling or fixing and selling your Ranger and buying a manual Ranger if thats what you want

Manual transmission vehicles need clutches so cost is fixed over the years, and it works out to be about the same costs for automatics IF you have the work done at Shops, but many like manuals because they can change the clutch themselves.
So apples to apples automatics don't cost more long term, just a bigger bill when rebuild is needed vs 2 smaller bills for 2 clutch replacements