Purchased a Ranger and was looking for a place to ask questions and learn to maintain this thing! Already learned a bit from asking a question in the engine section, so off to a great start!
Ranger wasn't my first choice honestly. But I definaly wanted a small truck. Found one locally in great shape with nearly every feature i wanted, If it was diesel with a longbed it would of been perfect.
Actually purchased a diesel Dodge Ram50 before this hoping to do the same, but the engine was pretty shot, now it sits in the garage as an expensive shelf.

While i have many ideas on what i want to do with this truck. I'm hesitant to because its in such nice shape. I've scouted out a few interior pieces to replace some of the broken stuff and a few goodie accessories like a bed mounted spare tire carrier, just need to pry them off the pick n pull donors. I do want to get a drop side bed for it. Might have to fab it myself.

Few small issues i'm tracking down. Some of the wiring has been cut, namely the seatbelt and the trailer lights plug for some reason as well as the seat support adjustment buttons. Theres some sort of rattlign sound that sounds like i'm dragging a muffler behind me without any obvious source, The battery cables need refurbished something fierce. lots of corrosion on them, looks like a battery exploded at one point in the tray. Also seems to have a problem floating gears. One and two feel like theres something physically blocking them unless the clutch is pressed, three goes in fine, four needs a wiggle, and 5th needs to tcluth depressed. Just annoying really.

Anywho thanks for having me! Hope to learn a bunch here.

 

Welcome to the forum

Nice RED Ranger

Looks like 1989-1992 so generation 1.5
And a 4x4

What engine does it have?
That will tell you which manual transmission it will have
Mitsubishi FM146
Or
M5OD-R1

 

It is the 2.9L v6. I think i have identified the transmission as the Mitsubishi FM146 judging by how similar the oil pans looked. That being said i know nothing about the performance, durability, or serviceability of either of those (of which i have a leak to track down i think). It was manufactured in 1989 and red is by far the best color. Just need to track down that rattling sound, hoping its just a loose heatshield and not a timing chain about to explode.

 

Yes, FM146 in a 1989 4x4 Ranger, it was an OK transmission, but you wouldn't rebuild it, you would use an M5OD-R1 from a 4.0l 4x4 Ranger to replace it, 1990-2011 with 4.0l engine and 4x4 would work, 1989 transfer case will bolt to any of those years
The 2.9l and 4.0l Ranger engines used the same block so their transmissions are interchangeable

Timing chain was never an issue on the 2.9l

Lifter noise was an issue, but they ran fine for years and years with that noise
The valve train oil pressure came thru the 2 center bearings on the cam shaft, as the bearings wore down the oil pressure to the valve train went down..............and lifter noise

But more likely heat shield noise

Also check the air pre-heater on exhaust manifold, those thin metal shields can rattle when their mount holes rust out

 

Think i found the noise. It seems theres something inside the catalytic converter rattling around. I can bang on it and hear something ding. I would imagine with enough road vibration it would sound like i'm dragging it behind me.