2002 4.7 4wd tranny disengagedon highway

Problem with My 2002 4.7 4wd access cab
With 250,000 miles
The other day was the coldest
it’s been here since I’ve owned the truck
I got in and started it to go to town
Putting it in gear I noticed the shift lever was sticky and difficult to move, but once in gear it drove fine, I drove 20 miles to town and made a few stops, each time the shifter was still difficult to move
Then in the way home there was a clunk and I lost power to the wheels
Since then the transmission won’t engae any in any gear

Cheif 01 posted
“Being told that possible overdrive bearing, was coming home from vacation, traveling approximately 65, pushed O/D button to slow down slightly, and lost all the gears, does this sound right, never heard of the o/d bearing. No trouble at all before this. (Correct name is o/d planatary gear)”

The only difference for me is that I didn’t push the overdrive button
Is there anything else this could be? ( bad shift solenoid,transmission valve ...)
I’m not o keen on the idea af replacing the tranny

 

Isn't there a cable that can break? That's what it sounds like to me since you mentioned the cold.

 

There is a cable but it seems to be in proper order (moves the lever on the drivers side of the transmission housing)
I was hoping it was that cable but it doesn’t seem to be

 

How does the shifter feel now?

 

I lubed it where the cable connects to the tranny and checked the bracket that holds it on the steering column, since the lube it’s improved, in general, but is still sticking

 

I'm wondering if something with the shift cable in the trans isn't going wonky.

 

I’m hoping it’s something like that,although what I failed to mention in my original post is that there’s a small grinding clunking noise coming from the tranny,?even when In park and neutral
I think I’ll disconnect the shift cable and move the lever on the tranny housing by hand to see if it engages

 

Make sure the engine is off!

 

That's the cable I was referring to but I didn't specify, not the one in the steering column. Another member parked his truck on a frozen lake last year while ice fishing and afterwards he couldn't get the truck to shift out of park. I can't remember if the cable broke or if it was just frozen. I'll see if I can dig up that post.

 

I wonder if the pump went out or the torque converter. Just an idea

 

Transmission needs hydraulic pressure to work so engine needs to be running. Don't recommend you try it. Does the transmission keep the car from rolling in "park"? If so you have a transmission problem, if not a transfer case problem. With noise in the transmission you definitely have something wrong internally in one or the other and it's not going to be a simple fix.

 

One can still turn the key to the position right before engine ignition and the shifter will shift?

Obviously, the transmission won’t work proper with the engine off but one can still shift through the gears. Another idea is to put the rear axle up on jacks.

 

I’m looking at a replacement tranny
An 03 with 90k just want to be sure that it has the upgraded internal gears? From what I’ve read on here both 03 and 04 would fit and are the same newer model with heavier duty internals
Can anyone confirm that ?

 

That's the same I have read.

 

I'm not sure but have you considering upgrading to the 5 speed auto that comes on the 05-06? Assuming it works it might be worth an upgrade. @empty_lord might know.

 

It’s a smart transmission. Not a small feat to add.

 

I 2nd both of these.