96 Exp: 4r55w replacement options/help?

[Jonsey]

Hi all, first post here, I'll try not to be too much of a noob.

I've had for a long while a 1996 Explorer, 4x4, 4.0L pushrod v6, electronic transfer case, 4r55e transmission.

I've got 183,000mi on the baby, and well, the transmission no longer loves first... or second really. Problem started in the valve body with mucking up shifts, I let it run for a while longer, and I think now I've just worn the clutches.

So, while I have found one place that will rebuild my transmission (apparently no one loves the 4r55e) I'm looking for help.

I'd like to run through a few options:

1. Anyone have good options to buy re-man'd 4r55es?
2. What other transmissions will bolt up with minimal work or one trip to a axle shop?
3. Any chance a manual conversion is graceful inside a four door explorer?

She's bone stock, and in need of shocks, springs, tyres and a few other bits, so I'm going to lay her up in a shop for quite a while. I do my wrenching myself when I can manage it, and I think I can manage a heavy transmission after replacing the 4-speed in my Mustang.

So, I'm hoping there's a knowledge expert here with some time to kill, or some forward pointers to resources that have already covered this.

Ideally I think I want either an auto that's able to be controlled by my current computer, or completely not computer controlled. Pros? Cons? Will the computer barf without transmission feedback? Was the 4r55w actually not electronlically controlled? Help!

I'll check back on this thread a few times every day, as I'm positive I've left useful data out.

 

[exbass94]

So, while I have found one place that will rebuild my transmission (apparently no one loves the 4r55w) I'm looking for help.

That's because there's no such thing as a 4r55w. You have a 4r55E.

Ideally I think I want either an auto that's able to be controlled by my current computer, or completely not computer controlled. Pros? Cons? Will the computer barf without transmission feedback? Was the 4r55w actually not electronlically controlled? Help!

The 4r55e is computer controlled, and the computer will mostly likely throw coeds if you have a non-computer controlled trans in there. You can get a computer from a 1996 Explorer that came with a manual trans to prevent this.

What other transmissions will bolt up with minimal work or one trip to a axle shop?

Pretty much your only options are another 4r55e, an A4LD which is not as strong/reliable as the 4r55e, so it's not recommended, and a 5r55e, which is a 5 speed version of the 4r55e. It's also electronically controlled and will not be compatible with your computer/wiring, so that's pretty much outta the question unless you want to do some rewiring.

So basically, if you want an auto, you're stuck with the 4r55e. (Which isn't such a bad thing, they're pretty good trannies IMO) There used to be a guy online that sold an adaptor that would allow you to bolt up any small-block Ford trans to a 4.0, but I can't find the website. I know it was 4-x-fab.com, but the site apparently no longer exists.

Any chance a manual conversion is graceful inside a four door explorer?

This is definitely doable. Explorers came with manual trannies from 1991 all the way up to 2001 (Mazda M5OD). Supposedly the hardest part of the swap is mounting the clutch/brake pedal assembly. I wouldn't know, I've never done it. These are good reliable trannies.

 

[projectnitemare]

I rebuild those suckers a lot. It is electronically controlled. It's more revised than the A4LD but they share somethings It's basically a C3 with overdrive (like the A4LD). We average around $1500 to pull, rebuild and reinstall one.

Matt

 

[Jonsey]

Yeah, my bad on the final character, I realized that after posting, but didn't get a chance to look it up today.

Nitemare, given it's not economically viable for me to ship this thing from WA to PA and back, could you PM me where you get your rebuild kits? (Do those include a remann'd valve body?)

exbass, great data!

It's good to know my computer will barf on the 5-speed, I'd prefer not to have to pull my under-engine harness.
I think I've got enough fabrication skill to weld up the back plates for a clutch pedal and smaller brake pedal, thanks for the part numbers, I'll try to steal the assembly whole-sale from a parts car or a wadded up car.

So, with no more than one trip to an axle shop I should be able to get a M5OD swapped in?! Fantastic! I'm an addict to taking photos of my projects, so I'll do my best to make a how-to for this.

If anyone's recently swapped in an auto to their 4.0 sploder, drop me a PM, 'cause I'll buy your Manual