While in D and at acceleration. Truck movement stutters, cuts in and out, misfires, trans slips, ext. Use which ever works best for you. I say this because slips doesn't really work for me. I have been driving for 30 years and I have had a transmission slip plenty. Just doesn't feel like what is happening in my Ranger. Also, after it gets wound up and into gear 2 with throttle pressed it will not shift into gear 3 until around 4000 rpms. It will shift into 3 sooner if I release throttle. If I start off in low 2 there is no stutter and no late shift point. I have tried to figure out the exact trans in truck. Had to use VIN and 44D 44E is the best I can come up with. If someone can tell me how to pinpoint trans model, this would also. Thanks in advance.

 

2001 to 2011 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine Ranger used the 5R44E automatic transmission

Generically its called the 5R55E, but that model was only used on the 4.0l engines
Internally they are the same, 55E had bigger OD drum
So any info about 1 will apply to the other

Any engine issues, like mis-fires, will cause transmission shifting issues because computer "sees" the engine issue so will change shift patterns

I would first diagnose any engine problems before looking at transmission issues

Computer will often Flash the OD off light if there is a transmission issue, its like the CEL(check engine light), for transmission

You can get a Bluetooth OBD2 code reader for under $20
But they often can't "see" transmission codes
BlueDriver OBD2 reader can but costs more
These work on ANY vehicle sold in US or Canada since 1996, its the Law, so any car maker must use OBD2 if they wanted to sell their cars in US or Canada
So its not a Ford only tool, good to have one of these if you plan to have vehicles over the next few years

 

Thank you,
I may have misled you by mistake. I guess by saying misfire. I don't have a check engine light on or a OD light. Computer doesn't find any trany codes or engine codes. There is a clear difference in the function of the truck while in D(drive) and while in 2(low 2). My shifter is PRND21. 2 appears normal function. D is bad out of the gate and until 3rd gear. Any direction on this would be great. Thanks again.

 

That reads like one-way clutch(sprag) issue
Which means trans needs to be pulled out and rebuilt
Did the fluid have any metal bits when drained after this was happening

Symptom of failing or failed forward sprag is no engagement in Drive when stopped, but will engage in 1 or 2 and get you moving, and then will shift to 3rd if moved to D
The Coast clutch is used in 1 and 2 but not D, which is why you will start to move forward in 1 or 2

It is for sure not a valve body or solenoid/computer issue

If you look for a used trans must be from 2002-2011 2.3l Ranger or Mazda B2300, earlier won't work
2001 was a split year, 2.5l/2.3l both so just avoid that year
2.3l in these years only came in 2WD

 

Ok thanks that helps.
As far as the fluid. It did not have any metal that I could see.
The only thing I would have to add that may not change your thoughts is. It did actually engage in drive but with a very noticeable stutter through the first gear. Second is fine, just has a very late shift . Near 4000 rpms with rough shift.

Thank you.