A4LD from Aerostar to Ranger

[Leadfinger]

Asked this another forum and should have put it here. Installing A4LD from '93 Aerostar into '93 Ranger. The Ranger has the gear driven speedo and the replacement does not. Can the case on the tail section be swapped so the speedo will hook up? Also does the tail shaft on from the Aerostar have the splines for the gear? I guess if all this will work how difficult is it to do?

 

[Transman304]

Are they both 2 wheel drive units? If not they will not work without taking apart completely.

 

[Leadfinger]

2wd

Yes they are both 2wd with a 3.0. My trans was going bad and the motor wasn't far behind, so was able to get a motor and trans together with low miles for the swap. Didn't realize the speedo difference until doing install.
Info would be much appreciated.

 

[Transman304]

There are 2 different lengths on tail housing. take off both tail housings and measure from case flange to the gears that the speedo rides on. one will be approx. 4in. the other approx. 6in. does the aerostar trans have a boss where the speedo would go? if so does it measure the same as your ranger from the rear of the case?

 

[bobbywalter]

the teeth are cut into the shaft on that year, not sure if the non speedo units had the teeth or not, pull the housing and look at it. if the shaft dimensions are the same just put your housing on and go.

 

[Transman304]

here is a pic of the parking pawl set up which will fall out when you remove tail housing

View attachment 17034

 

[bobbywalter]

i dont think it will fall out....though they can and do. they usually stay in place for me anyway when in park and in the gear. but be prepared for that an it is a great point transman...putting it back together could be a pia for the uninitiated.

these are things i take for granted.

 

[Leadfinger]

Thanks

Thanks for info guys. We will pull that rear housing and hopefully be able to make the swap. If not I guess I don't really need a speedo anyway. Thanks again, Scott
PS Yes pretty much uninitiated, but my son is not afraid.

 

[AllanD]

THE issue you are going to run into is the shift bellcrank on the A4LD if it is different it iiiis an absolute bastard to change out...

It is retained in the transmission by a solid steel pin that lies I the hollows of the pan rail

 

[Leadfinger]

Allan, your right

Your right Allan, we found that out. My over zealous son was going to swap that from old trans to new as the arms are in the opposite position. He managed to mangle the pin so bad we couldn't get it out. Did get the arm to rotate 180 degrees and it looks like it will work. The main thing seems to be if the tail shaft from the van has splines cut in it to use gear driven speedo. We will need to remove rear cover to find out. If it does, great if not, next problem.
Thanks again, Scott

 

[AllanD]

the speedo driving gear is located with a steel ball and retained with an external circlip

the later trans might not have a speedo drive gear installed but all outputshafts I've ever seen have the boss, ball holl and circlip groove.

AD