Worst A4LD Years - Poll

[Jim Oaks]

I thought I would throw this poll out there to see if there was a year range of A4LD's that had more problems than others. May be random. Something may stand out. We'll see.....

 

[igiveup]

Hello

Mine was an 85. Now I have 94 with 85 VB and all seems good.

igiveup

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

......1988. Either way did not affect me much, I just wanted the engine bolted to it for my m5od equipped ranger...

 

[fordmandan87]

they all sucked i just wish ford made them with the aod instead. at least then the trans selection options would open up

 

[Fordman]

Cant say I saw any one year worse than others. After all was said n done, most failures were from flat out neglect, leaks not getting fixed soon enough, heat (everybody wants to tow heavy). Next we get into the 'repeat' failures, from little things overlooked during overhaul. A clean valve body is an absolute must during overhaul.

 

[Bruce]

What i find the in most of the failures of these transmissions is neglect( as stated by Fordman) never been serviced or fluid level never checked so unit runs low on oil. Coolant in radiators low allowing internal cooler to be exposed thus overheating the tranny..even though temp gauge doesnt show overheat but the tranny will surely overheat possibly even with an external cooler. Ive seen coolers in the radiators plug up also. When i do a rebuild my way I put more parts in them then most tranny shops. I put in new OD planets, sprag and hub..maybe even new OD drum if tabs are bad or worn. All new bands and servos, new clutches and steels and even a low reverse sprag..if its an E unit brand new pressure solenoid..replace other planets as needed..and shift kit and rebuilt converter. Some people have asked what rebuilders do well this is how i mostly do it.

By the way this is not an ad but just to kind of give people an idea..dont be afraid to ask the tranny shop what they put in there units as a normal rebuild.

 

[Frank The Tank]

Mine was an 88 and it crapped on me... drove it with 1st and 3rd for a long time (you had to get rolling down a hill wind out first and kind of skip 2nd....)
it was very strange, I didn't have reverse for the last 10k miles.
And I did maintenance.... something about that 275k mile mark maybe?

Frank

 

[99RangerKrazy]

There should be an "Every Year" button.

 

[Z3CHYD]

There should be an "Every Year" button.

+1 to that definately....

 

[Fordman]

The only years I havent owned are 85, 93, and 94. Owned many of the other years. I rebuilt my a4ld in my old 89 Aerostar, it went over 150k miles after that frequently towing cars on a tow dolly, and hauling. Bought a 90 B-II new, and 145k later, it was still doing fine, never serviced, never ran low on fluid, never overheated. They will last, even in severe use.

 

[calypso93]

My 93 killed the front seal at 104K. That was about it.

 

[2manyfords]

My '87 went 170 000 miles before the front bushing went out of it... not bad for a crap A4LD.

If treated properly they actually last for awhile.

 

[Fast Doc]

94,000 on an '92 and its going in the shop tomorrow for a front seal. Shifts great, but messy on the driveway.

 

[doorgunner]

180,000 on an '89 Ranger 2.9L A4LD 2WD......the original owner did regular maintenance & replaced anything needed with FoMoCo parts.....

I just replaced a leaking after-market rubber pan gasket that I installed after the xmsn tune-up with a gold-plated FoMoCo xmsn pan gasket ($28 U.S.).....

It's good for another 180,000 before rebuild (with yearly fluid changes!!!)

 

[ccrunner1]

my 94 just slit its wrists and bled out. on my trip home