I have a 1997 Ford F150 4.2 V6 4x4 5 Speed XLT Short Bed W/Flareside 92,000 Miles
Long story short my dad found this truck abandoned on a big acre of land with a house and 3 garages. Since my dad works for a realtor we were hired to remodel the house. This land was abandoned for years (not sure how long) and other then the houses and garages and all the junk and valuables lying around, there were 3 abandoned trucks. One 1990s Ford Ranger, another 1990s Chevy S10, and the ole 90s Ford F150 just buried into the ground. The Ranger and S10 were both rotted away, floorboards were almost gone blah blah blah. The F150 however 2 holes in the cab corners and some surface rust on the frame seemed to be the most salvageable. My dad bought all 3 and we decided to junk the other 2 rust holes. Anyways so we had just got done working for the week and my dad gave me a choice between whether I wanted my paycheck or the F150. I obviously chose the F150. I was looking for a vehicle for myself since I don't have one anymore, and I am very mechanically inclined so I knew (or so thought) I could fix the truck up myself and drive it a million miles. So now the truck is mine and the problem arises...
So I checked the engine oil and that looked good, checked the transmission oil and that too looked good (other then it being alittle old & dirty). I put a battery and some gas in it and SURPRISINGLY after a long and slow crank it actually started. It seemed to run pretty good also which I expected since it hasn't even reached 100,000 miles yet. I put the truck into 1st gear to see if it would move but low and behold, it obviously wasn't gonna be that easy. Now first of all, all four tires were as flat as pancakes and were buried into the dirt since it was sitting for so many years. I figured it wasn't moving because of that. So I put air into all four tires and surprisingly they held it. I towed it out of the ground onto flat land so it would be easier to test the transmission. I got into the truck and put it into 1st again. Still wouldn't move. It seems to engage into any gear without a problem like you would expect, its not stuck and I don't hear any grinding but I noticed when in gear I let go of the clutch it does not stall like its supposed to. I figured it was a bad clutch so I decided to take the transmission down and replace everything, the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, rear main seal, pilot bearing, slave cylinder, transmission & transfer case fluid, bleeding the clutch. Finally it took me a couple months, (yes it took me that long because it was so cold and without a lift it was winter time all I had was a jack and jack stands a little portable toolbox and some dedication I also didn't want to pay for a tow) but I was finally done. I was excited but nervous at the same time but I was also pretty confident in my work, everything went back in the way it came back out, no missing fasteners or unplugged connections and everything torqued to spec. I finally decided to start the truck and low and behold it obviously did and runs exactly like before. However, when I decided to "test drive" it. It still wouldn't move. Not sure if its the transmission but I'm not even sure what to do now at this point I'm self doubting myself now. I will admit when I took the transmission down the only thing I was concerned about other than the slave cylinder was the input shaft had alittle bit of play in it but it wasn't excessive. I figured it should be alright hopefully given it only has 92,000 miles on it and I didn't want to buy or wait for a new or used transmission to arrive.
Anyways I'm not sure what to do or check for now I need help or pointers as to what could be wrong. The transmission still doesn't move and still does not stall in any of the gears if you let go of the clutch. What the actual heck could the problem be? The only engine code it has is P0453, which I don't think is related to my problem. I'm thinking about just letting the truck go and selling it but at the same time I don't. Something to note is I found a piece a paper in the truck saying it was last registered in 2011, and another being a receipt for a clutch line disconnect tool. So I guess the owner or somebody had already tried to fix or mess with it before.
Keep in mind I'm only 23 years old, I'm still learning but I'm very mechanically inclined. I don't want to take it to a shop or dealer. I just can't figure out why this damn truck won't moooovvvvveeeeeeeeee! Any help would be appreciated!
was the transfer case engaged?
Am I supposed to engage it? I think I have it in neutral right now and its weird because its a floor shifter, ive only ever dealt with a electronic 4x4. Maybe I should try putting it in high or low ?
Some manufacturers but instructions on how to operate the 4x4 on the visor so check there if your unfamiliar with how to use it. Also, if that doesn’t work try jacking up the rear end and see if you could freely spin the wheels and do the same for the front. I’m wondering if something is seized due to the amount of time that it sat.
Neutral is just that. Same as neutral on a manual gearbox.
*FACEPALM*
im so dumb all i had to do was engage the 4x4 and it started moving lol had no idea a manual transfer case worked like that
anways thanks for the help everyone i hope to drive this truck a million miles
you're lucky it was such an easy fix 🙂
Joe is right. If the transfer case is in neutral, you'll never move. Put in 4High, then first gear.
Keep at it. If you have to take it out again, it will be much faster. This sounds like a great truck to learn on. The feeling of fixing something yourself is the best! As Scotty says, start with the simpliest. If it is the transfer, lol. What did the old flywheel and disc look like? Wear marks? If none, then there may be an incorrect part. It can happen with no one being the wiser, and with the previous work, matching up the old parts to the new parts could mean still putting in wrong parts. What about gently putting it in gear without using the clutch?
