5R55e pan on A4LD?

[RedBowTies88]

Hi guys.

I both hate and deeply distrust automatic transmissions, however I did just buy my dad a ‘94 4x4 4.0 with 77k because he’s getting up there and is tired of driving manual.

I’m trying to change all fluids and make the trans as reliable as possible. It’s currently working correctly. I plan on regular fluid/filter changes and adding an external cooler to use instead of the one internal to the radiator.

I was told by a questionable source that I could swap the A4LD pan for a 5r55e pan and gain both some capacity and a drain plug. Is that true?

Also, is routing the trans lines out of and away from the stock radiator a viable option? I’m sure that an external cooler will perform better, but I’m not sure if the trans fluid temperature is regulated to some extent above ambient by the stock rad/trans cooler combo. In other words, will completely separating the trans cooler from the radiator create a situation where the fluid is too cold to perform correctly because the engine coolant isn’t warming it?

thanks.

 

[RedBowTies88]

Also, what is the current consensus for the best Mercon substitute? Thanks again.

 

[snoranger]

Yes you can swap a 5r55e pan on to the A4LD but you won’t gain any noticeable capacity increase. You already have the deep pan since it’s a 4x4.

Adding a trans cooler is always a good idea, but you shouldn’t eliminate the factory cooler. You want some temperature in the fluid.

 

[RedBowTies88]

Yes you can swap a 5r55e pan on to the A4LD but you won’t gain any noticeable capacity increase. You already have the deep pan since it’s a 4x4.

Adding a trans cooler is always a good idea, but you shouldn’t eliminate the factory cooler. You want some temperature in the fluid.

Thanks, that was my concern. I’d love to eliminate that 28 year old radiator as a source of failure but I can understand not wanting the trans fluid to be completely cold.

That leads me to my next question though: Additional cooler pre or post radiator? Pre would make more sense to me, if we’re looking for that 180-195* temperature returning to the trans.

 

[snoranger]

Pre

 

[RedBowTies88]

Well, I got everything opened last night and I’m pretty sure I’m the first one to ever be in it.

ancient looking ford filter with square pickup, gasket with tiny steel stand offs built in.

Fluid looks absolutely terrible. I’m almost sure it’s the original stuff from 28 years ago. Hopefully the extreme discoloration is from old age more than clutch material. I was able to weld in a drain bung in the pan. Im going to drive a few miles and drain it again, I’ll probably do this several times in the next few days then replace the filter again. Hopefully me disturbing it doesn’t lead to failure.

 

[RedBowTies88]

Transfer case fluid was equally black.
I guess that’s a good sign that it’s more from old age than cooked clutches.

I also just pulled out what I’m sure is the original air cleaner. Nuts.