A4ld
My current A4LD 2WD Ranger was bought with the express advisory that "the transmission is dead and smokes up a storm behind you".
After firing it up I put it into gear and after making a sound I have NEVER heard from anything mechanical, and lurching in false neutral for a moment, I was able to drive it home about 12-15 miles through afternoon pre-rush hour traffic in the center of the city without any issues whatsoever. Subsequently I drove the truck a few times to the store on errands and such. When started it goes into gear immediately, then after about 10 to 30 seconds it goes to false neutral for a bit. If in a hurry I give it a jab at the gas pedal one, two or occasiuonally three times and it catches. Usually OK from that point on, but this is just short trips of five miles or less.
No attempt on a repair yet, it is about the fifth vehicle on the "to-do" list since it is essentially ready to run in a pinch.
I have had many vehicles, quite a few of them were/are Rangers and Explorers. I have always avoided the automatic versions but sometimes they start out as parts vehicles that are too nice to part out. That's when I get A4LD's
From what I have read, Ford was going to build an overdrive automatic for four and six cylinder compact vehicles and was deciding on whether to use the C4, which was used for V8 Mustangs, V6 Pintos, and many small block intermediate cars and light trucks. The alternative was to use the C3 trans which was not considered strong enough to use in a Pinto behind anything bigger than a four cylinder, and never in anything like a commercial vehicle, such as a pickup truck.
Obviously they have to use the C4, right?
Well no, because they let idiots called "accountants" make technical decisions. So, they used the C3.
I am only going by what I have read, but it sounds consistent with the practices in Detroit at the time. Which is why companies like Mercedes have good reputations, they never let accountants make important decisions.
I also read that the accountants were the ones that ruled out IRS for the 64 Mustang. Decisions made today affect a company's reputation, and therefore the profit margin long into the future in the auto industry.
Other than the nearly useless automatics, the Ranger became one of the most competent vehicles you can buy in any class.
Save a buck today to lower your reputation tomorrow.
BTW, if you want to build a C4, use the straight six cylinder F100 - F150 C4. It is the strongest one made, it has a separate ring of bolts for the pump and bell housing, no other C4 that I know of has this. Just swap out the bell housing for the one you need.