Best trans for rock crawling

[Dugan]

Im swapping all my suspension and stuff from my 89 ranger to an 88 b2 to allow for more room and i will also be stretching the axles front and rear (front is still ttb) I prerun and crawl with the ranger.

I was looking to run a 2.9 till I can get a 4.0, but I wanted to find the best automatic transmission I could use without too much issue. The current auto in the 88 is blown and Im looking at a 94 expo one for the strength.

I have a doubler so I felt the auto was a better option than the 5 speed, and ive messed up the pressure plate a few times with crap.

So these are my options:

2.9 with a4ld and doubler

4.0 with a4ld and doubler.

Is it possible to run the a4ld off the 2.9 computer or would I have to run dual computers. Or should I just do the 4.0 setup.

Or should I just stick with the 5 speed for less aggravation?

 

[Shran]

Well... the "best" transmission would be anything other than an A4LD, ie a C5...or M5OD.

Now that said I think the A4LD would work fine in your situation. I am not really aware of anything that would require you to run dual computers or any of that stuff, there is really not much involved electronically with an A4LD, just a couple solenoids and reverse lights/neutral safety switch.

If I had a need to put a truck together and had an A4LD and nothing else, for sure I would use it.

One other thing with the automatic is that even though they are not well known for their strength, ANY automatic will take a lot of stress off the rest of your drivetrain because there is a fluid link between the engine and the rest, rather than a clutch, and reduces the shock load that can be applied to the transmission, t-case and axles.

I have a manual in my crawler and just a single t-case but I wish I would have done an automatic instead.

 

[Dugan]

Well... the "best" transmission would be anything other than an A4LD, ie a C5...or M5OD.

Now that said I think the A4LD would work fine in your situation. I am not really aware of anything that would require you to run dual computers or any of that stuff, there is really not much involved electronically with an A4LD, just a couple solenoids and reverse lights/neutral safety switch.

If I had a need to put a truck together and had an A4LD and nothing else, for sure I would use it.

One other thing with the automatic is that even though they are not well known for their strength, ANY automatic will take a lot of stress off the rest of your drivetrain because there is a fluid link between the engine and the rest, rather than a clutch, and reduces the shock load that can be applied to the transmission, t-case and axles.

I have a manual in my crawler and just a single t-case but I wish I would have done an automatic instead.

Even a trans builder I know said screw the a4ld and go 4r44 or 4r55 atleast. But i dont like the fact that its all electronic. Sometimes I wish I could make a powerglide I have laying around work haha.

 

[Kirby N.]

I say m5od. I had a rough time keeping my a4lds alive in my explorer and only found reliability when I put in a m5od. I eventually ran 37s which were too big for 4.56 ring and pinion gears around town and on the trail- gearing wise- but were great on the hwy. When I added a doubler they were great on the trail and the manual was great. Lots of choices for the right gear. Then it was great on the hwy on the way home. My favorite part of a manual is if it is broke, 99% of the time all it needs is a clutch. I can do that myself with a couple hundred bucks and a day's work.

Alternatives to the a4ld if you must have an auto is a c5 or a 700r4 with an adapter.


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[Shran]

I think your best option by far would be to use a C5 if you can find one. I have one sitting on the shelf, waiting for my next V6 powered project.

I have wheeled with a few guys who are running A4LD's, in a rock crawling environment. I really haven't heard any complaints, if you get one that is in good shape and put a good cooler on it they will last quite a while.

If you had a V8 you could for sure make that Powerglide work! Buddy of mine has a C4 behind an LS motor...anything is possible with the right adapter.

 

[Dugan]

Yea im gonna be trying out new tires, 40x13.5 Iroks, they are just as heavy as my 35x15 boggers. Know its probably stupid on a d35 and 8.8 with 4.56 locked front and rear but im gonna try it. The bronco 2 i bought has em on a d28 and 7.5 and the guy never broke it haha.

 

[4x4junkie]

Or should I just stick with the 5 speed for less aggravation?

I have a M5OD (wide-ratio) with a doubler and am quite happy with the setup.
I won't say that I've never wished for a lower gear, but it's been rare.

2.9L, 35x12.50s, 5.13 gears. Typical use is on trails like Dusy/Ershim, Rubicon, etc. (no super-hardcore buggy type stuff).

 

[Kirby N.]

With the 4.0 I don't think I ever needed a lower gear. It was pretty rad to leave the hubs unlocked and stand on the brakes on the cement in my garage and do an idle burn out in double low.


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[Dugan]

If i found a c5 id swap in a FI 302 haha. with the c5 you need a special adapter from the v8 expos to run the 1350/1354 right?

 

[Kirby N.]

Nah. A c5 is found in early production bronco 2s and Rangers. Like 83 or 84s. It is a non over drive auto. It is a version of the old c4 (found behind the v8s I. Early Broncos Etc) with a bell Housing that will fit the 4.0/ 2.9 and a tcase adapter that will fit a 1450/1354. They are durable but don't have an over drive. They are also getting hard to find.


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[Dugan]

Nah. A c5 is found in early production bronco 2s and Rangers. Like 83 or 84s. It is a non over drive auto. It is a version of the old c4 (found behind the v8s I. Early Broncos Etc) with a bell Housing that will fit the 4.0/ 2.9 and a tcase adapter that will fit a 1450/1354. They are durable but don't have an over drive. They are also getting hard to find.


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Thats about exactly what im looking for, something the equivalent of a TH350 or a th400, no electronics and driven off hydro pressure.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I also had the M5OD wide ratio, 1350/54 doubler, and 4.10s (36" TSLs). I loved it, but sometimes a touch slower would have been nice.

My new setup is the same, but now 5.13s and 38.5s. I have not wheeled it yet, so I am not much help. I do have half bald 40's for street duty, so I will also be able to give some feedback on that setup once its running.

 

[Dugan]

I also had the M5OD wide ratio, 1350/54 doubler, and 4.10s (36" TSLs). I loved it, but sometimes a touch slower would have been nice.

My new setup is the same, but now 5.13s and 38.5s. I have not wheeled it yet, so I am not much help. I do have half bald 40's for street duty, so I will also be able to give some feedback on that setup once its running.

Im still running a fully modified setup D35 TTB and an 8.8 I figure most of you over 35s are solid axle haha.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Im still running a fully modified setup D35 TTB and an 8.8 I figure most of you over 35s are solid axle haha.

I know 4x4junkie is still TTB.

I am HP44 solid and 31 spline 8.8 (both RBV width)

 

[Dugan]

I know 4x4junkie is still TTB.

I am HP44 solid and 31 spline 8.8 (both RBV width)

I know your setup we are friends on facebook haha.

You need to ditch that d44 already...