My 06 Ranger 150k+ miles automatic tranny is failing. It's got the 5R55E transmission an it won't go over 20 mph. Unless if I do it manually from 1st, 2nd, then shift it to Drive it goes fine. My question is, how long can I go like this until it completely fails? It's $600 to drop the transmission plus parts at a transmission shop, but I don't have the money yet. An I was thinking of using it as is until I can get it fixed, but I'm not sure if that's wise to do so.
by the sounds of it, it could strand you any time.
It's going the be a few thousand $$ by the time it's fixed.
What is the truck worth?
I have no idea what it might be worth, but it's a 2 door, roll up window, 2.3L. Maybe not worth the transmission rebuild.
It'll cost $600 for what? A rebuild costs a lot more than that. Check the obvious, make sure the fluid is at the right level and change the filter. My 1999 Ranger has the 4R44E, which is a slightly simpler 4-speed model of that same transmission and it went over 250k on an untouched transmission.
If you like the truck and don't mind doing the work yourself, go pull a transmission at the junkyard. I could probably get 8 to 10 of those transmissions at my local junkyard alone. Don't have a transmission rebuilt by a shop. Odds are it won't be done correctly. I had mine rebuilt and it still wasn't right after 5 visits. I tolerate its intermittent oddball shifts, because it wasn't worth the hassle anymore, and I tell people to avoid that shop.
Took it to a transmission shop, an the manager said it be $600 just to drop the tranny. Plus parts. Checked the oil level an its to spec, but it was never changed. Came to find out about it at 100k miles when I found Scottys videos that it needs to be done but was too late. I wouldn't mind looking for one at a junkyard an replacing it, but how do I know if they're any good?
Usually, either the engine or transmission quit on the vehicles in junkyards. Be prepared to pull it out a couple times and get their warranty. It's gambling, but if you spend $300 vs $3500 for a remanufactured one from Ford and get one that works, you save a ton of money. Take Scotty's advice and find one that's smashed in an accident, then you know it was going pretty well, and go for the lowest mileage one. A friend pulled a transmission for is Avalanche at our junkyard and it works fine. We've considered pulling the 4R44E for mine S well.
Sure, as long as you're always driving down hill.
You might consider a remanufactured transmission as well. I found this company who sells them with 2 year unlimited mileage warranties. I wish I had found this before I trusted the rebuild shop. I would've gone for this in a heartbeat for $1600 and paid a shop to install it had I known this was an option. The warranty for the work on my truck was only 12 months or 12,000 miles, which isn't much and is kind of an indicator that garage rebuilders don't do their work very well. I would have saved $200. Do it yourself, and you'll do it for the cost of the transmission.
https://www.transdepot.net/tr4r44estock
Looked up the transmission an its a little over $2k. I'm gonna go with your first tip an look for one at a junk yard. I'll probably get luck out from them. Been to several ones an I've seen a couple when looking for suburban parts.I got a friend that used to have a ranger for like 15 years an he pretty much replaced everything before he got rid of it. I'll get him to help me out. I'll keep y'all posted on my next move. Thanks for the advice!
Id really make sure that the engine is in great shape & that the body isn't rusty/ falling apart before putting money for a transmission in it. Do a compression check, if its losing compression or an oil burner/leaker i'd give it a kiss and send her off. Unless you want to make a toy out of it, you'd probably want a standard in that case, but that's another conversation.
Good advice! Never done a compression test on it so it'll be a good thing to do before spending money. Thank you!