What'll fit?

[Soap]

I've got a 1990 4.0 V6 with a stock A4LD trans that's on its last legs. I don't know anything about transmissions but want to swap it for something better, preferably something that'll help the performance but I don't know what can fit either as is or can be converted to fit

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

After 1985 automatics need computer control

Your 1990 computer can control an A4LD with 2 solenoids, so that's pretty much your choice, rebuild it

The A4LD had more solenoids added in 1995 and was renamed 4R55E, but your older 60-wire computer can't operate it, need the newer 104-wire computer, which would also mean rewiring most of the vehicle
And its not a "better" transmission, just has more shift control based on RPM and engine load, inside its the same transmission
The later model 5R55E was also the same A4LD transmission, but Ford changed the software in the 104-wire computers to add a faux 2nd gear to make shifting smoother

Read here about the A4LD: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml

There are shift kits and other upgrades you can add when rebuilding, depends on what YOU WANT as far as "better performance"

The A4LD was used in Rangers and other "light duty" vehicles from 1985 to 2011, 26 years, just the valve body changed as more solenoids were added, so its a good basic transmission or Ford would have scraped it

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

.....M5OD

 

[cbxer55]

I've got a 5R55 in my 07 Mustang. I guess my 98 Ranger has the 4R55. The one in the Ranger has 171,000 on it trouble free. But, I have changed the fluid and filter in it twice in the 20 years I've owned it. Damn trans in the Stang is throwing a blinking OD OFF light at me. Changed the fluid and filter, had a friend who does transmissions replace the solenoid pack. Still winking at me. only when OD is on. I can drive it all day OD OFF and it never blinks. Hit the OD and it's blinking within three miles. Notice the tach is over active in OD, so it appears the torque converter clutch is not locking. Getting a P0741 code, Torque Converter Clutch Locked Off. Solenoids didn't fix it. Friend says likely the torque converter needs to be replaced. Dang it all!

My friend that does transmissions, says the 5R55 is not one of Ford's better designs.

 

[cbxer55]

Well, the repairs were done on 09/25. Today something odd happened. Very odd! Drove it to work today and it never blinked. On the way home, jumped on I-40 west bound and started cruising at 70 mph. The tach was locked steady at 2000, couple hundred rpms less than it has been as of late. Started playing the throttle, the tach barely moved. Evidently the lock up happened and it was holding steady. Will take it for a drive the next couple days, long cruise on the highway, see if it maintains. If so, then apparently it is either a delayed reaction to the repairs, or whatever was wrong fixed itself. I guess we'll just see, won't we. LOL!

There was mention in several articles on P0741, that wiring could be damaged. Could it be, that with the major coolant leak I had, coolant sprayed all around the engine bay, that something got wet that didn't like being wet. And since the coolant leak is fixed, it dried out and is doing what it's supposed to do?