I have the same truck but no problems

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1997 F-150 XLT 4.6 REGULAR CAB, FLARESIDE PACIFIC CLEARCOAT GREEN 5-SPEED. WESTIN NERF BARS, POWER EVERYTHING,BUG SHIELD, EX-TANG SOFT COVER, BED LINER(FORD).

 

I have a v-6 manual tranny, no problems. How was the second gear totally gone if you were using it to drive around? How was the top of the tranny gone? I doubt ford will help to much on the cost if you have been shifting at high rpm.

 

Why was 2nd gear totally gone when you had trouble getting it into 1st? Sounds like a clutch problem to me. Kinda sounds like the clutch wasn't disengageing all the way thus making it hard to get into gear. I dunno. Was the tranny shop rippin' ya off????

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1998 F-150 XLT 4x4 SC 4.6L Auto, Class III hitch, Pioneer Premiere deck, Boston speakers

 

I have a '98 F150 XLT 4.2L 5-speed with 120,000 kms (74,564.5 miles) and there has not been a single problem or noise from the transmission or clutch. I have searched the transmission section of this site and found few problems listed, especially compared to the auto trans. Hot rodding takes its toll man!!. Good luck with the repairs. I would make sure that you get a look at the damaged components before approving any repairs. Glenn.

 

I can't believe ford put these manual transmissions in. I have 50600 miles and bought the truck used with 16032 miles. The transmission was fine with no problems of grinding or hard to shift. Just within the last 5000 miles started noticing hard to put in first gear and grinding going to first gear from reverse. Have taken truck to a auto shop and not a ford dealer. Auto shop told me that second gear totally gone and after removing transmission the top half was gone and the transmission needed to be replaced. Still waiting to get truck out of the shop. Also mechanic suggested easy starts and no hard or high revving shifts(under 4000 rpm). Granted trurks are made to be driven like a grand prix racer but I still like to have fun. Possible trying to get something back form ford to help with the repair cost cause there are too many problems that other owners with same vehicles.

1997 F-150 XLT
4.2 V6
5 speed manual

 

Sounds more like a clutch problem t me too. Maybe you did get ripped off????

 

I have more questions. It may not be a clutch problem though that is a good possibility if you have been hot rodding the truck. Did the auto shop tell you the collar between 1st and 2nd is bad. Its the part that ingauges the gears and locks them to the output shaft. If you were shifting alot without using the clutch you may have worn off the dog teeth on the collar.

 

MechE, I never had any problems with the clutch, never shifted without the clutch. When the tranny went I was pulling into a shopping center. As I shifted from first to second the shift lever went to the seat. I did get second gear to diengage(into to neutral) but when the truck was moving could not put into any gear, could put in gear sitting still. Unfortunetly was out of town when work got done so did not see or talk to mechanics til after new(rebuilt) tranny recieved.

Glenn Mc, I wish I could of been here to see the tranny. I'm not a hard driver and haven't done and towing and lite hauling with the truck. One messege sent by 4 Tran Man topic 5 speed 4.2 problems, its on the sixth page and has 92 responses! Guess I should not of put in about having fun cause I do not hot rod my truck.

Glad to from others that your trucks are doing good for you. Will lrt you know how the truck comes out.

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97 XLT, 4.2 5 speed, 4X2, Westin nerf bars, Lund bug shield

 

Don't forget to do a search on 'synchros' - they were done in my truck at about 60k and i don't hot rod it. At the time that it happened for me - there were a few other people that had reported needing to get the same thing done.

hth

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker amp'd sub tubes; rockford fosgate components up front; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

Got truck back with rebuilt tranny and all is working well. Mechanic at shop said to change the tranny fluid every other time I change the oil cause there can be alot of heat build up and break down of the fluid. If the synthetic fluid handles heat better this maybe the way to go instead of regular tranny fluid.

 

the statement of the top being gone could explain the shifter going all the way to the seat, if the guy ment the linkage from the stick to the tranny were bad. If you loose that its very possible for the stick to go to the seat.

 

I had the same tranny in my 92 F-150, and logged over 240,000 miles with no problems. I believe it is made by mazda (MH5-OD?). Anyways, make sure you're running the right fluid type (Mercon III ATF) and quantity.

98 XLT SC 4x4, 5.4 9.75 355LS, tranny cooler, B&M, 2001 mint rear slider with lip seal (= no leaks).

 

I have a 1997, 5-speed, 4.6 with 48k miles on it. The truck has never plowed, never gone off-road, never towed anything, and is absolutely not abused. I only use 4-wheel drive in the winter. I just found out from my local ford dealer that the front bearing is just about gone in the tranny, and the pinion bearing is just about gone in the rearend.

This is absolutely ridiculous on a vehicle with less than 50k miles. There has to be some recourse from ford about this. Trucks are meant to be used as trucks, even though I don't use mine like a truck.

If anyone has any suggestions for me, other than shelling out almost $3000 for the work for both problems, please let me know. I'm quite disgusted with the Ford product at this point in time. I have a Nissan Maxima with 190k miles on it that drives like it has 20k, with the original clutch, and no problems like I'm having with the F-150.

Thanks -