I decided to change my tranny fluid in my 1996 ranger with the 2.3l and 5 speed. I downloaded the manual from ford.com and they call for mercron. So im under the truck and pull the drain plug and to my surprize gear oil comes spilling out. Im almost certain it is gear oil because of the smell and thickness. I am not certain what tranny it is the manual says its a mazda trans but i was wondering if someone could tell me a way to identify it. Is there a set of numbers or a plate that could identify it as the mazda trans? It shifts fine and dosent have any probs. I was just going through it and changing all the fluids. I am a little weary of putting mercron in it after it has been running on gear oil.

Mercron is Automatic Transmission Fluid. Sense you have a 5 speed you need gear oil. Check in your manual and see what weight you need.

The Haynes manual (93-2001 Rangers) I have states the 5 speeds require mercon automatic trans fluid. My Ford DVD only goes back to 98, but also states mercon. Previous owner may have assumed it used gear oil since it was a 5 speed.

__________________
'20 Ranger Lariat FX4 Oxford White

You are absolutely right. I opened my mouth before I did some looking. Here is a page I found over a TRS on the transmissions.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...nsmission.html

Yeah im afraid your right. the previous owner did put gear oil in it. You don't think that maybe it could have a different tranny by chance? Could damage have been caused to the tranny from gear oil being ran in it. I'm almost afraid to put mercon in it after gear oil has been inside.

check the door to see what your Transmission code is then compare it to the link's code to identify your transmission then see what it requires some use 80-90w gear oil and some use mercon ATF so just go by what is says to use and you could get your tranny flushed if you are worried about cross contamination

__________________
1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

thanks for your help guys. This ranger is a nightmare. im about to resell it i think i bought a lemon. I changed the oil today and now i have botom end chatter????? rag in the gas tank time hahaha