Just want general opinion

[abarhorst]

I have an 02 Ranger, 4.0 litre, 5-speed auto transmission.

I was just wondering what the general opinion is about Ford's 5 speed automatic transmission? Is it a well built transmission? Has anyone seen a high degree of failure or problems with it?

I had terrible transmission problems with a previous vehicle, (Chrysler) and I am a little gunshy now.

I ask this because I have noticed when accelerating from a complete stop that the tranny shudders slightly when going into gear. Probably normal, but it nags at me in the back of my mind....... Also I occasionaly experience a very slight bump shift when backing out of an acceleration.

Are these behaviours typical?

Thanks in advance.

[2000mudder]

in my opinion, there isn't a good factory trans built today.my 4 speed auto went at 42,000.buy the extended warenty or it will cost at least $2000 for trans rebuild.

[freeclimber]

Toyota is the only company that makes a good auto trans.
Manuals are the way to go unless you see yourself towing.
The behaviors you mentioned are typical, but they're still bad.

[sp3edr4cer]

in my 94 4.0L 5 speed i did not blow the tranny till 130K miles. i never changed the tranny fluid and i redline jammin the gears hard. The only think i lost when i blew it was 3rd gear. and it was just as expensive to fix 3rd gear as to buy a new one.

[freeclimber]

With a manual trans, you can drain and refill on your own. Cheap (fluid only) and easy to do.
Automatics use more fluid, have more parts, electronics, pumps, etc. You can drop the pan to change the filter, but you'll only get about 30-40% of the old fluid out. That means you need to pay for a power flush to be done, which costs $50-$80.
Driven nicely, a Ranger will keep it's clutch intact for at least 100k miles.
Driven nicely, a Ranger is lucky if it's auto trans isn't failing at 100k miles.