92 ford ranger 2.3 to automatic?

[Pony]

So I have a 92 ford ranger that I want to make automatic I have searched and haven't found anything on this topic, What transmission can be used?
Thank you in advance

 

[adsm08]

A-un-4-tunate-LD would be the most viable option.

 

[Pony]

Alright thank you a lot, that will bolt up to the engine correct? I will start looking

 

[scotts90ranger]

The A4LD was the only auto transmission put behind these as far as I know unless you find a C4 from a really early one if they even put that on these... you'll have to find one from another 2.3L Ranger or 2.3L turbo thunderbird. I'm not really sure what changes will need to be made wiring wise but I know the auto Rangers had a different computer program in them...

 

[Pony]

Yeah I had a feeling I would need the computer as well, So I would need to find it out of another 2.3 alright. I appreciate the help. so with wires, computer transmissions what could I do for a shifter? would I just need to get the steering assembly or a floor shifter?

 

[tomw]

The best bet is to shop at a yard where you can pull the transmission, linkage, torque converter, shift lever & boot, and maybe the drive shaft. Then you get to pull the computer and associated wiring to enable the torque converter lockup solenoid, and starter lockout/enable, and ??? Might need the cross member also to support the tailhousing. This is a lot of work.
I would consider buying a complete truck, swapping what I need and then junking the remainder.
The A4LD can be built to handle the output of a 4.0, and even bone stock haul around an Aero* pulling a trailer full of horseflesh, and even last to 180k doing so. So handling 2.3 output should be no problem if built well.
Unless you really really really like your current vehicle, I would suggest taking your time to find a replacement with an automatic transmission that you like and replace your truck with that.
tom

 

[Mikel89us]

A swap to an auto isn't easy at all, there's a lot of wiring, plumbing etc. I would do as said earlier, buy a different truck with an auto. You can probably find one with a bad motor, which is usually a cracked head or blown head gasket, for about the same price as the cost of the swap and fix it or swap in your current motor. They did use the c4 on a 2.3, but the bell housing is extremely hard to find. They used a c3 in the older 2.3 mustangs/pinto that are your easiest option because they are hydraulic controlled, and require no wiring. They do however, have no overdrive, so if you want to keep fuel mileage, you wont want to do that.

 

[rangeron33s]

Just out of curiosity why would you want to switch from the stick to an automatic with a ranger? The transmission that would go on to a 92 is the a4ld. Which is the most problematic transmission Ford has ever made...just saying there's a reason you can't find any info on doing a swap like that.

 

[Mark_88]

Just out of curiosity why would you want to switch from the stick to an automatic with a ranger? The transmission that would go on to a 92 is the a4ld. Which is the most problematic transmission Ford has ever made...just saying there's a reason you can't find any info on doing a swap like that.

I had been thinking of doing this swap...not because I like automatics or anything...but my current situation prevents me from driving a manual transmission and lI've just sunk a whack of money into my truck so I don't want to let it go if I can...

However, as it appears, the swap to an automatic would be a bit too much work...especially now that I have the 2.5 engine instead of the 2.3 (I know they are the same essentially, but this is fuel injected with a computer)...

Just my reason...could be dozens of reasons...but I'm sure you could count them yourself if you thought about it...

 

[rangeron33s]

I see. Well then good luck with your swap and I hope the a4ld treats you better than it did me. I would suggest finding someone parting out an automatic ranger with the same motor as yours. You'll need the steering column, shifter linkage, radiator, coolant lines, and some wiring. I would trace the wires that plug into the automatic and disconnect them as close to the main harness as you can get. Your also going to need the gauge cluster and possibly the wiring harness behind the dash or at least some of it to get the cluster to work rite. Not sure I've never done this so it's just a thought. And if there are any vacuum lines you will for sure need to trace them and figure out how to run them into your vacuum system.you will most likely need the drive shaft also.

 

[rangeron33s]

You could also just bolt up the auto and the drive shaft and radiator and then just run a custom slap shifter type setup.

 

[XLTsplash]

Ford also put C/3 automatics behind 2.3Ls in Mustangs, Pintos and other Ford products. The best way to change is to find a 2.3L A/T Ranger to get all of the parts you need for the swap. I've Changed two Mustangs from autos the manuals and they were both easy bolt in swaps when you have all of the parts you need. Good luck.