revs to 2500 befor it moves...1500 in reverse

i just bought a 88 ranger 4x4 automatic for $350:grinyes: thinking it was a good deal went for a test drive and it worked fine but today is a diffrent story. i had it ideling in the driveway for a bit then went to put the truck on some shop ramps but i couldent get up them:crying: the engine would rev up but i wouldent move...so i put it reverse and backed up a bit and then drove up to the ramps to get some momentom but could only get half way up befor it would just stop and rev. then the truck over heated after about 20 trys of this:banghead: ...i went out a baught some oil and a filter and some transmision fluid(got to order gasket and filter) just incase its that. but im stumped any suggestions??

if the trans fluid isn't low the fluid change it worthless!!! trans is shot!!!

i just bought a 88 ranger 4x4 automatic for $350:grinyes: thinking it was a good deal went for a test drive and it worked fine but today is a diffrent story. i had it ideling in the driveway for a bit then went to put the truck on some shop ramps but i couldent get up them:crying: the engine would rev up but i wouldent move...so i put it reverse and backed up a bit and then drove up to the ramps to get some momentom but could only get half way up befor it would just stop and rev. then the truck over heated after about 20 trys of this:banghead: ...i went out a baught some oil and a filter and some transmision fluid(got to order gasket and filter) just incase its that. but im stumped any suggestions??

If it worked the day before, and it's now just doing this, I my first thought would be that it's leaking fluid. Though, it's possible that pump could be going or the filter could be clogged. Is the transmission fluid burnt up?

If it's a 2.9L V6, over heating is very very very bad on the engine. The 86-88 2.9L heads were the most prone to crack on the slightest overheating. It sounds like there might be an issue in the cooling system. Check under the oil cap for green sludge/moisture. Watch for elevated oil level and water in the oil when you change it. First place to start on the over heating issue, would probably to pressure test the system for drops. Be glad if it's able to hold pressure. It it's holding, it could be a circulation problem (clogged raditor/bad water pump), fan, defective thermostat, radiator, and etc. You should have a good idea of what the problem is on how the coolant looks. If it's not holding pressure, and no leaks are present, leak down test the motor to get an idea of which cylinder and try to narrow the problem down from there.

Depending on the shape of the truck, the cost of a junk yard transmission, and possibly junk yard (89+) heads, it would almost be worth it to fix it. But, if you find that it has water in the oil, I am sorry to say that engine is not going to last long. For $350, I would be almost certain that there is a problem with it.

Pete

ok i changed the trans fluid and filter yesterday (old stuff almost looked like bad oil) and it worked alright driving in the yard so i took it out today and strated to have the same problem i had to get towed home....some fluid is leaking out from between the bell housing and engine(looks like bad oil). any idea what that could be??

that would be the fluid in the tourque converter that is leaking from the seal around it. when you change fluid, there is about two quarts of old fluid in the converter. unles it's the engine rear seal and it's engine oil

well i fixed the fluid problems now everything involving the fluid is fine but it still reves up with hardly any forward movement(reverse is fine) but only when its hot...if i put it in first and push the gas slowly i can feel a gear grabing and sliping so i belive i have a solotion for my problem....swap the a4ld for a 5 speed out of a 87 :grinyes:

i would have to say your transmission is retired. black color trans fluid is a damn good sign that the trans will need to be rebuilt.