Buying a used transmission

[bodine465]

So the transmission in my 93 Ranger has crapped the bed. Was sitting unused for a few years until my son moved back in and started using it. It developed an intermittent leak from the bell housing that would sometimes dump fluid in a steady stream. Tried using some stop leak, which worked for a bit, then leaked again and started having shifting issues. Finally hit the point where it would shift above 2nd gear and was parked again.
Came across a guy locally who is selling an A4LD transmission out of a 94 Explorer that was wrecked. Good price and even has a "Ford Quality Renewal" sticker on it, which I'm assuming was a factory rebuilt. Says it ran fine until it was pulled.
If I pick this up, short of going through it completely, what do you recommend replacing before installing it, such as the torque converter seal. Do plan on replacing the filter and fluid. If there are no indicators of a bad torque converter, would it make sense to put out the money on a new one if I plan on putting it up for sale once I get it running?

 

[2011Supercab]

As long as you have the same size engine that was in the Explorer and your truck is a 4x4 it will work.

 

[RobbieD]

Yes, your truck must be the 4.0 with 4x4 for that Explorer trans to work.

I'd trust my chances on an older Ford reman versus a "new" one. There are no more "new" ones; all of the A4LDs will be rebuilds these days.

Besides the filter, pan gasket and fluid change, I'd also put a front seal in since it's out, and easier to do than after it's installed. Then I'd just stick in and see what I've got.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would think about flushing the transmission side radiator and the lines. Any shit in there could possibly ruin your new trans.
Maybe even pull the rad and lines and take to a shop to have flushed.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm gonna agree with the above... flush the lines and cooler(s).

 

[bodine465]

Yes, they're both 4.0L with 4WD. For $100, I'll pay my nickel and take my chances. Thanks for the input.

 

[19Walt93]

As has been said, flush the lines and cooler thoroughly to get all the contaminants out of them. And ,please, never put stop leak in a transmission again.
I would pull the pan and replace the filter before installing it, and if you see metallic particles, stop right there and don't install it.