Check your rear end, nobody will check it for you...
More broken parts on the Freeranger When I drove the Ranger the first time I immediately noticed that it sort of banged into gear and reverse. A thump, like sloppy engagement. I could tell this happened on deceleration as well, but not with the clutch in. So it was related to the direction of travel. A visual check of the rear diff revealed a leaking pinion seal and about an 8th of a turn of slop before the diff engaged. Unfortunately I was preoccupied with engine needs and getting the seats finished so I did not spend much more time on it. I now know I should have opened the rear cover immediately instead of assuming what it was. I changed the pinion seal, and greased the driveshaft, replaced both u joints, and the slop was still there but not quite as bad. A video showed similar slop from worn spider gears. Again, I should have opened the rear cover before buying them. Live and learn. As I removed the cover ready to install the gears my heart sank... The cause of all...