I am wondering if it is alright to use (Royal Purple 01303 Max Gear 85W-140 High Performance Synthetic Automotive Gear Oil ) in my 5 speed manual trans. I am getting some "slight grinding" when shifting up to 3rd gear, and down to 2nd. I know the syncros are the problem, but don't really want to spend a grand + on the rebuild. The truck is in great condition to be 18 yrs old. I was just wondering if the "stiffer oil" would help, or hurt. Thanks. .44mag...

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks

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I'm a bot that works for FRF. So please don't PM or ask me questions. I'm not that kind of program!

Hi and welcome

Did you ever rebuild the shifter?

Mine was hard to shift in any gear, once I rebuilt the shifter it is about 95 percent better.

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2002 Ford Ranger 2 Dr Standard cab 2.3 5 SPD 7.5 373 gears

Look at the shifter, a relatively easy fix. But I would never swap from ATF in it to gear oil. If I did I would expect to be rebuilding it soon. It is specced for ATF for a reason.

TKS for both of your replies. The shifter does seem to "be difficult to move sometimes" I will look for a diagram or video on the shifter rebuild. And, it is a manual 5 speed, not automatic. I assume that "ATF" is automatic trans fluid? Or, is ATF what is run in the manual tranny? I have no idea.. tks..

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks

ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid

Just because it says auto in the name doesn't mean it is not allowed to be used in manuals, and the M5OD was designed to use ATF

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Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

Steve, welcome to FRF. Is your avatar pic off of a King Crimson album cover?.

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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)

Yes ! I worked for rock bands for 25 yrs on the road and I loved working for "King Crimson" (Fripp, Bruford, Wetton & Lake) I love "prog rock" I am an old hippie, lol..... I have many old rockers who are still close friends (I am saddened that we lost Gregg Allman, I worked for him many years off & on and have known him since 73) and several who are neighbors, many you would recognize, I think..... Great music in a great era. Thanks for knowing who /what the avatar is. Now, I think I am going to attempt to rebuild my shifter, lol and see if that helps. Thanks, SSSSSSSSS

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks

I opted for the Royal Purple Synchromax because it has a viscosity similar to the specified Mercon. It has improved the shifting of my M5OD greatly. Not 100% perfect, but MUCH better.

Welcome Steve, Glad you found us. Have fun and enjoy FRF. Rock on.
From Don
Grove City, Ohio.

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Myrtle: & Danna
1999 Ranger 4x4 3.0 Stepside Ext Cab XLT
2000 Mustang 4.6 Roush Supercharged ( Show Car )
1984 Elcamino 350 330 HP ( Nick's Show Car )
1959 Wife ( Arm Candy )
Danna passed away 5/26/2016

How do I tell if my engine is a 2.3 or 2.5 ? And How do tell what trans is in it? I am assuming it is an M5OD 5 speed. Tks...........

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks

if you have a 1999 the it's a 2.5 Lima 4 cyl. 1998 - 2000 & the first half of the 2001 4 cyls were all 2.5 limas
and it's an M5OD for sure!

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

You my want to rethink the 85-140 weight when it gets cold in the winter it can cause hard shifting. And welcome.

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barneycat11 2006 FX4

Thanks for all the response, but I live in SW Fl. lol... Not gonna worry about the cold "too much" as 50 degrees for the low temp for maybe 4-5 nights a year is a "rough winter here" LMAO...

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thanks! :d

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I have maintained everything about the truck, oil chg EVERY 3k miles, tires, front end, shocks ect . But now it is starting to show its age in some areas. I will do as much as I can myself, just don't have all the tools I used to have, and the neighborhood "nazis" wont allow any "major" repairs at your home unless it is in the garage. We'll, have to keep my small boat "in the garage". I hate this HOA, and the jerks that have nothing to do but complain! lol.Tks.........

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks

Well, here is an update ! I drained the tranny, (BLACK, THICK and nasty) re filled with fluid, ran it for 5-7 min and drained it. I then refilled with the more expensive Mercon 5 (Castrol) I put in a new "shifter kit" (abt $15 bucks) and it is like I am driving a NEW TRUCK! The truck has NEVER driven this smoothly. I can downshift into 2nd gear from 80 mph, and it whines a little , lol, I am lying...... but I am amazed how different 60 bucks can make when I was thinking I was looking at a grand to rebuild the trans. Thanks to all of you that offered advice. SSSSSSSS

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1999 RANGER XLT Extended cab, 2 WHEEL DR, 4CYL, 5 SPEED 123k miles. Bone stock. Live in Fl. 63 yrs old. Bought truck new in 1999. Just here to learn a few things if possible from guys that know about the Ranger. Thanks