Thinking of getting back into the ranger game...

rusty ol ranger · Dec 3, 2016

After being out of it since 09...

Anyways, ive had my eye out for a somewhat more economical daily driver (feeding the 400 in my 77 F250 93 gets expensive)...

I found an 87 Ranger xlt, 2wd, 2.9, in pretty decent shape (atleast in pics), now obviously ive been around RBVs forever and ran one for 22 years, so i know what to look for...

However, i have one hang up with this truck, it has an A4LD. Every RBV ive had in the past had a manual.

So, my question is, how bad is the A4LD, really? It will be strictly a driver, might haul a mower once in a while, or tow my utility trailer with my zero turn (1500 lbs max). I got my 97 460 for heavy work.

Also, what kinda MPGs will a 2.9 get with an auto? Rusty always got high teens/low 20s, hopefully better then the 10-11 my 400 gets.

Input apperciated.

85_Ranger4x4 · Dec 3, 2016

M5OD is the same length as a A4LD....

I burned up one in mine, replaced it with a used one that ran 10 years until I did my V8 swap.

BLOODBANE · Dec 3, 2016

Heat and towing are the #1 killers of those transmissions. If your gonna use it as a truck, you WILL end up replacing it. A external cooler will help immensely. I still have the stock A4LD in my Explorer (230k+ on the odometer) and even with the wheeling and crawling around its still good (shifts firm and no slipping). I dont really beat on it and Yes, I have a extra cooler

rusty ol ranger · Dec 4, 2016

I was planning on putting the biggest cooler on it i possibly can. I dont plan on beating it, but i would like to use it for things that feeding my 460 for is stupid.

I still have rusty out back with a perfectly functioning TK5, and all associated parts, worse case scenario how hard would it be puttin in the TK?

And yes, the M5OD is stronger, but the tk is free

Mightyfordranger · Dec 5, 2016

Personally I like free..free is good

85_Ranger4x4 · Dec 5, 2016

rusty ol ranger said:
I was planning on putting the biggest cooler on it i possibly can. I dont plan on beating it, but i would like to use it for things that feeding my 460 for is stupid.

I still have rusty out back with a perfectly functioning TK5, and all associated parts, worse case scenario how hard would it be puttin in the TK?

And yes, the M5OD is stronger, but the tk is free

Restore Rusty! :icon_idea:

rusty ol ranger · Dec 6, 2016

85_Ranger4x4 said:
Restore Rusty!

This idea did occur to me, however, id have to replace every body part on the thing, along with the wireing harness, and lord knows what else after its been sitting all these years....

But dont get me wrong...its not TOTALLY out of the question for a someday project....

85_Ranger4x4 · Dec 6, 2016

rusty ol ranger said:
This idea did occur to me, however, id have to replace every body part on the thing, along with the wireing harness, and lord knows what else after its been sitting all these years....

But dont get me wrong...its not TOTALLY out of the question for a someday project....

He ain't getting any younger :icon_thumby:

rusty ol ranger · Dec 6, 2016

85_Ranger4x4 said:
He ain't getting any younger

The old timers around here would pry shed a tear seeing him in his current condition.

Maybe ill toss up some pics one day soon

fastpakr · Dec 6, 2016

The TK5 may be free, but it screws up the swap in terms of driveshaft lengths, etc. You'd definitely be better off selling that for whatever you can get out of it and applying the money toward a Mazda trans.

85_Ranger4x4 · Dec 6, 2016

fastpakr said:
The TK5 may be free, but it screws up the swap in terms of driveshaft lengths, etc. You'd definitely be better off selling that for whatever you can get out of it and applying the money toward a Mazda trans.

If he has the whole truck (and sadly decides to cut it up for parts) he would have a driveshaft and whatever else he would need to convert it.

fastpakr · Dec 6, 2016

Good point. As long as they're the same length truck that would work.

rusty ol ranger · Dec 6, 2016

There both reg cab/long boxes.

Im going to look at it saturday and comb thru it with a fine tooth comb. Truthfully i dont want to tear rusty apart, so id pry end up buying a mazda or another A4LD.

After shifting a 13 speed all day its kinda nice just to drop it in drive ya know? Lol

RangerFabWorks · Dec 7, 2016

rusty ol ranger said:
There both reg cab/long boxes.

Im going to look at it saturday and comb thru it with a fine tooth comb. Truthfully i dont want to tear rusty apart, so id pry end up buying a mazda or another A4LD.

After shifting a 13 speed all day its kinda nice just to drop it in drive ya know? Lol

where you located? i have a m50dr1 transmission in mint shape id let go for a song and dance

rusty ol ranger · Dec 7, 2016

Im in southern lower mi, if i get the truck i might hit ya up, just to have it around incase i need it.

Did it come from a 4.0?

Thinking of getting back into the ranger game...

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