I have a 97 Ford ranger 4X4 4.0.Got stuck in

Sounds like the transmission was damaged to me.

Is the pedal soft ?

If it is a 1997, I would just pull the trans and go thru it

Your synchros etc are worn

I had a ford explorer do the exactly same thing. the snow wedge the 4x4 linkage on the transfer case. i had to get underneith with a wrench and simply turn it until it engadgd... goodluck

Maybe you should check to see if the timing is still intact. Have someone turn the key while you look behind the timing cover to see if the cam gear is spinning.

sounds like transmission damaged. if forward gears are operational, suspect transmission failure. If nothing working ( either in 2 or 4 wheel drive) suspect transmission or transfer case.

stop shifting so hard. your reverse gear is the same exact gear as your first, so if you shift hard and grind that gear a little then reverse will be harder to get into. you probably need your transmission rebuilt the harder your engine has to work the more its going to bogg down

Your clue is probably that when you pump the clutch twice that it works. I don't know about the 83's but the 96 or so on up have automatic clutch adjustment & when the clutch is worn out that part will not adjust anymore and will create the problem, just like th 97 that i have & haven't changed the clutch yet... (too lazy - waiting for it to totally quit before i fix it) So my guess is that if you haven't changed the clutch, pressure plate t/a bearing stuff, you may need to do that. Ford guys should have told you that.... hope this helps, rick

Sounds like it has to be taken apart and put back by a professional mechanic who knows about transmissions..I used to have a Ford Ranger and I had always checked at times the gear oil in the rear axle/gear box and I never did have any grinding. If you try to pop it out of gear, it's possible more damage could happen to gearing...it might be something simple as a clip, but still may have to take apart...good luck...

This happens from overheating the clutch, and it is caused by a burnt/overheated flywheel and pressure plate, it may be your driving habits, do you slip the clutch allot or have you been stuck where you might have overheated the clutch trying to free the truck from mud or snow?