1987 A4LD - Really confused with what ATF to use.

[Eugene998]

Hey guys could use some of your wisdom and knowledge (Novice here).

To preface things, I bought an 87 with the A4LD about 2 months ago with 87k miles as my first project (Not road-worthy yet according to my province’s safety standards). I’ve changed all the fluids except for the transmission oil and have already done quite a few small and moderate repairs. So far it’s running really good. In the midst of all this I want to drain and refill the transmission oil but all the multi-vehicle ATFs and backwards compatibility business is getting really confusing.

What are you guys putting in your transmissions?

I know originally when this car was produced it was recommended for ford Dexron II before Mercon existed, and that the original recommended fluid isn’t being manufactured anymore today. As far as I’ve researched it seems that my options are valvoline Max life, Dexron VI/Mercon LV or Castrol Transmax dex/merc. My mind is telling me to find the most fluid specific ATF for the transmission but it seems that everything available covers many vehicles.

Wouldn’t an ATF that covers many vehicles be prone to cause problems for this older transmission, what am I missing here? Right now I’m just trying to narrow down what’s best for the transmission and to not cause any damage to it.

If some of y’all could provide some insight that I’m missing here that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[SenorNoob]

I don't think you'll go wrong with Dex/Merc of any kind.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ve always happily dumped Dex/Merc into my A4LDs. When that came out, Ford said it was an acceptable replacement for the Dex II. Now Ford says you can use Mercon V in them but being that Mercon V is full synthetic and kind of expensive, I’m not inclined to use it in the older transmissions.

That all said, personally I’ve become a big proponent of doing a shift kit at the minimum and ideally also some valve body work on the A4LD along with keeping the bands tensioned properly every 25k. My 92 I did nearly everything possible that I could find to the valve body and got the bands mostly tensioned (rust was a problem). 1,000x improvement in performance. Heat kills these transmissions along with lack of proper maintenance. Poor shifting creates heat. Shift kits and valve body work reduce heat by reducing slippage.

Also, change your reverse servo gasket and O-rings (get square cut O-rings if you can). Throw a new filter in too.

 

[Shran]

Dex II, III/Mercon.

I usually use Valvoline ATF in the blue 4 quart jug because I can get it on sale at Menards for under $20 but there are probably better fluids to use. Motorcraft is probably the best choice but is the cost justifiable in a truck like that, is the question.

 

[Eugene998]

I’ve always happily dumped Dex/Merc into my A4LDs. When that came out, Ford said it was an acceptable replacement for the Dex II. Now Ford says you can use Mercon V in them but being that Mercon V is full synthetic and kind of expensive, I’m not inclined to use it in the older transmissions.

That all said, personally I’ve become a big proponent of doing a shift kit at the minimum and ideally also some valve body work on the A4LD along with keeping the bands tensioned properly every 25k. My 92 I did nearly everything possible that I could find to the valve body and got the bands mostly tensioned (rust was a problem). 1,000x improvement in performance. Heat kills these transmissions along with lack of proper maintenance. Poor shifting creates heat. Shift kits and valve body work reduce heat by reducing slippage.

Also, change your reverse servo gasket and O-rings (get square cut O-rings if you can). Throw a new filter in too.

Thanks for the info! Any kind of transmission work scares me as I've heard all kinds of mixed opinions about this specific transmission. I didn't know about these maintenance practices we can do for the A4LD, specifically the valve body servicing. Would you say a shift kit installation and valve body work is more of an intermediate modification/skill in terms of complexity? if it improves longevity (and if its easier on my wallet haha) I'll do some research and give it a go.

 

[Eugene998]

Dex II, III/Mercon.

I usually use Valvoline ATF in the blue 4 quart jug because I can get it on sale at Menards for under $20 but there are probably better fluids to use. Motorcraft is probably the best choice but is the cost justifiable in a truck like that, is the question.

I see, I ended up getting the Valvoline ATF that comes in the red bottle. Have you noticed any differences with other fluids you've used?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks for the info! Any kind of transmission work scares me as I've heard all kinds of mixed opinions about this specific transmission. I didn't know about these maintenance practices we can do for the A4LD, specifically the valve body servicing. Would you say a shift kit installation and valve body work is more of an intermediate modification/skill in terms of complexity? if it improves longevity (and if its easier on my wallet haha) I'll do some research and give it a go.

You’re welcome.

Valve body work is messy and can be a bit tedious. It’s very messy removing it to work on (the valve body), and you have to be careful about scratching stuff because it’s all aluminum. I’m currently working on a 4R70w transmission and recording it. I should have some video up on my YouTube channel in the next few weeks. Not the same trans as yours but the same principle. I have a bunch of video from when I did an A4LD but I’m having some difficulty getting it edited and uploaded because it all got recorded on a phone. Every time I try to get it onto my computer, something comes up corrupted. I’ll get it figured out at some point.

My preferred tool working on the valve body has been a popsicle stick…

A TransGo shift kit (what I used) is in the neighborhood of $50-100, it’s been awhile since I looked one up for the A4LD. There are other options, but that was the one a bunch of people recommended. I also threw a new manual valve, O-ring end plugs and some other stuff at it, I’ll have to find the list. I had a couple hundred tied up in parts, but after having done it, I don’t really want an un-modded automatic again. I went almost the max that the kit recommended for things and I wouldn’t hesitate to go full bore the next time around.

 

[19Walt93]

If you decide to rework the valve body make sure you have an inch pound torque wrench to reinstall it.

 

[Shran]

I see, I ended up getting the Valvoline ATF that comes in the red bottle. Have you noticed any differences with other fluids you've used?

Not really. I think the red Valvoline was "high mileage" or something like that, I would have no problem using it, I just haven't because I've had the blue bottle stuff on hand and wanted to stick with one fluid.