Currently traveling from Idaho to Illinois. I'm towing a uhaul 5x8 trailer with my 2004 4.0 Ranger with the 5-speed manual. After a day on the road (650 miles driven) I started smelling trans fluid when I roll down the window. Doesn't smell burnt, smells like it does out of the bottle.

I was doing 75-80 up and down hills all day. Now that I've noticed it, I'm doing 65 and taking it easy on hills.

I still have a total of 982 miles to go which I'm spreading over 2 days.

Am I safe to continue driving if I take it slow? Should I take frequent stops to let the truck cool? I did replace the fluid prior to this trip.

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2004 XLT: 5-speed, General Grabber AT2s
2011 Mustang GT: 6-speed with nitrous!

Did you look under your truck at all? You might want to check the fluid level before you start out again.

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1999 Ranger 4.0 and extreme Snap-on tool fetish

Check to make sure you do not have a leak & the fluid is getting on something hot like the exhaust causing the smell. Check the metal cooler lines up by the radiator they will rust there just before the rubber hoses to the trans cooler in the lower part of the radiator.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

He has a 5 speed manual I believe

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1999 Ranger 4.0 and extreme Snap-on tool fetish

So check you've not got oil making it up over the top of the trans and running down the sides (only happens when it's moving)

Also check your PS reservoir hasn't bumped an airlock and blown ATF over the wiring looms in that area.

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2002 V6 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD

Repairs/Upgrades/New Stuff Log

I was just going to say.. Manual is "sans" trans coolers..

Although I've wondered if it could be done.. (?)

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Thanks for the replies all!

I did look under the truck, couldn't see any fresh trans-fluid.

I made it to my destination some 1700 miles away from where I started. The truck did surprisingly well towing the trailer across America.

I added more stops to allow the truck to cool down a bit and didn't go as fast. I noticed the smell stopped being as strong as I got out of the mountains in Wyoming and it to the flat midwest.

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2004 XLT: 5-speed, General Grabber AT2s
2011 Mustang GT: 6-speed with nitrous!

That is very odd. The transfer case nor the transmission were damp? Usually this top rail plugs dry out and that's the source of the smell.

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I'll crawl under the truck again and take a closer look.

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2004 XLT: 5-speed, General Grabber AT2s
2011 Mustang GT: 6-speed with nitrous!

Oooops, missed that.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

Its ok, we grade on a curve here.. lol

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My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support