A4LD Floor Shifter Mods for AOD?

[markinms]

Does anyone know what modifications need to made to the Ranger/BII A4LD Floor Shifter to work with an AOD?

I've read numerous posts that state "extensive modifications" were made to use the stock shifter. Unfortunately, no one ever shares what those modifications were.

Thanks for any feedback!

Mark

 

[RonD]

Ranger automatic trans floor shift was a linkage that attached to the stock transmission
Another type of transmission wouldn't have those attachment points
This is why details of how to do it wouldn't apply unless you were using same "different" automatic as original poster.

Its a modify for use issue, one off

A cable shifter vs a linkage shifter would probably be best option, easier to adapt

And as a heads up there were 2 different shift patterns for AODs, depending on its build
I think the truck AODs had 1st selection on the shift CAM in trans, some Car AOD's could only be shifted to 2nd, no 1st
Move your trans shifter manually to see which trans you have
P R N D 3 2 1, full range will have 7 detents, counting P and 1

D = OD
3 = D

Some shifters had P R N O D 1
O = OD
D = 3rd
1 = 2nd

Trans starts off in 1st, you just couldn't select it directly

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I mounted a B&M Unimatic shifter under the stock bezel, they fit just about any trans under the sun.

 

[markinms]

Thanks for the feedback.

My AOD shift pattern is P R N O D 2. I've got the stock shifter setup with a B&M cable but haven't been able to "reliably" get it to shift into each gear. Still fine tuning.

I like the idea of the Unimatic shifter. Would allow me to keep stock appearance with proper shifting.

Mark

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The lever is chrome, handle is some different and I tore the shifter apart, cut the decal up that came with the shifter and put the numbers/letters in the bezel so they lined up with the indicator. Red on chrome lettering is kinda hard to read but it is there if you need it.

Process is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152407235@N06/albums/72157684496412481/page3

 

[markinms]

Thanks for the info and access to pics.

You've done a nice job with your swap. I learned a few things from the pics that will help me.

Mark

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thanks and good luck!

 

[oldkat69]

Time to start again on an old project. 1990 Ranger with EFI 302 with 4 wheel drive AOD. Last thing I need is shift linkage for the AOD. The original trans was the dreaded A4LD.

Any way to use the column shifter?

 

[oldkat69]

Bump

Time to start again on an old project. 1990 Ranger with EFI 302 with 4 wheel drive AOD. Last thing I need is shift linkage for the AOD. The original trans was the dreaded A4LD.

Any way to use the column shifter?

Still trying to figure this out.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It's probably best to start a new thread. More people will notice it.

 

[Angie]

hi, this might help.

bm with the full od shifter style cable runs to the trans. here is how i was able to mount it up #82 post.

i have acess to welder and such, made up a new plate. hope this helps.

cheers

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156327&page=9

 

[markinms]

I gave up trying to modify the A4LD shifter assembly that came with an 87 BII/Ranger.

I ended up installing the automatic shifter assembly from an 84 BII 4X4 with C5 transmission and a B&M cable and bracket kit for the AOD. Was a bolt-on fix and works great.

Note: The 84 BII shifter assembly was not easy to find. I spent 15 months running want ads on Craig's List, in local want ads, on various websites, etc., only to stumble across it at a salvage yard that's over 150 miles from home. Go figure!
Mark

 

[bobbywalter]

never seen this before. but the aod is an odd setup. the a4ld shifter is actualy easy to adapt to a 700 or 4l80 because of the detent situation.


going to the older 3 spd setup is the key in adaptation like mentioned.

the truck megashifter for floor shift is the easiest solution by miles.

sometimes i adapt the the aod equipped car floor shifters bird/mark when needing to go cost effective. and that was the donor



i started building the aod over 20 years ago and strongly suggest to not use the a4ld setup to shift it...though it is doable. it takes 2 mounts and bell cranks to get the detent range close...and will still try to jump gears when flexing off road. fast way to aod destruction.


for column shift simply use the explorer/pick up v8 stuff.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i started building the aod over 20 years ago and strongly suggest to not use the a4ld setup to shift it...though it is doable. it takes 2 mounts and bell cranks to get the detent range close...and will still try to jump gears when flexing off road. fast way to aod destruction.

That stupid bellcrank setup was a test in how complicated they can make a shifter.

The guy that had my trans before me used a C5 shifter to shift my C5, dunno if it was my bodylift or what but I couldn't get anything to line up with it. Like I mentioned on page one I went to a cableshifter which works great.