Want to rebuild my transmission?

2000 ford ranger 4.0 xlt needs an auto transmission, first gear is gone. Motor leaks oil too, but we can live with that. Should I buy a crashed truck or have the transmission rebuilt? Any reccomemdations for a shop? I don't have the skill or time to rebuild, I could possibly drop one in. This is my daughters first car and I only paid a few grand for it so I don't want to pay crazy money fixing it.

those Mazda tranny's are prone to issues when they get older, get it rebuilt. i would recommend High country transmission in Aurora unless you can find a low mileage on in a yard

Thanks. I'm going to check andersons in Greeley and see what they have in stock. Is it fairly simple to unbolt and reinstall?