A4LD question?

[rusty ol ranger]

How much "better" are the 4.0 A4LDs then the other ones? I know ive read they are heavier built then a 2.9 one or whatever...

Ive kinda been noseing around looking for a different DD (mainly something 4wd, no rusty isnt leaving) and ive always kinda had a soft spot for 1st gen explorers, but i dont want to be replaceing trannies every 10,000 miles.

Be mostly just regular driving, no heavy towing (maybe 1 quad on my 6x10 trailer, 2000lbs max, rusty tows it fine).

Input?

 

[Uncle Gump]

This should do everything you ask for...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

This should do everything you ask for...

View attachment 70397

 

[scotts90ranger]

From what I've heard keep them cool and they work ok

They made 5 speed sploders in the first gen whicih aren't too common, even less common in second gen... I had a '91 5 speed and I miss that thing sometimes...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

From what I've heard keep them cool and they work ok

They made 5 speed sploders in the first gen whicih aren't too common, even less common in second gen... I had a '91 5 speed and I miss that thing sometimes...

Ive actually ran across a suprising number of sports with a 5 speed, one 91 or 2 4dr with one....but it was pretty beat. Most the sports ive seen are 2wd though.

The 302 never went in untill 95 right?

 

[fastpakr]

I believe the 302 was added for the second Gen2 year, i.e. 96. But I wouldn't swear to that.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Any later production A4LD was supposed to be stronger than the ones that went behind the 2.9, from what I understand they got a constant stream of upgrades until being replaced by the 4r44/4r55/5r55. Keeping it cool is priority #1. I didn’t do it to my 92 before it got totaled because I needed to replace the core support anyway, but I had made provisions for a second trans cooler in front of the rad in addition to the one it had from the factory. I also did a shift kit and valve body mods because I read a thing that the typical sloppy shifting causes excessive heat and the mods reduce friction that causes heat. I didn’t get to verifying any of that, but I know I want to do the mods to any other A4LD I ever own because it was a way nicer feel driving it after modding. There’s also some big write-ups on the explorer forums about bulletproof rebuilds and Frankenstein-A4LDs

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Any later production A4LD was supposed to be stronger than the ones that went behind the 2.9, from what I understand they got a constant stream of upgrades until being replaced by the 4r44/4r55/5r55. Keeping it cool is priority #1. I didn’t do it to my 92 before it got totaled because I needed to replace the core support anyway, but I had made provisions for a second trans cooler in front of the rad in addition to the one it had from the factory. I also did a shift kit and valve body mods because I read a thing that the typical sloppy shifting causes excessive heat and the mods reduce friction that causes heat. I didn’t get to verifying any of that, but I know I want to do the mods to any other A4LD I ever own because it was a way nicer feel driving it after modding. There’s also some big write-ups on the explorer forums about bulletproof rebuilds and Frankenstein-A4LDs

Do they get hot just in normal driving? I have no problem adding a large cooler if need be....im just curious. After 20 years in this place was wondering how scared i should be if i ended up with one.

 

[bobbywalter]

Normal driving....normal tires. Change fluid on time

200 to 250k is what I would expect. Normal being gently mom mobiles.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Do they get hot just in normal driving? I have no problem adding a large cooler if need be....im just curious. After 20 years in this place was wondering how scared i should be if i ended up with one.

Not so much normal driving getting them hot, but the usual recommendation was to put more cooling on it, and keep up on fluid/filter changes if you want to make sure it lasts awhile. Chances are, if it’s working after these many years it was a good trans or it was rebuilt. So I wouldn’t worry a whole lot. But knowing now what’s what, I’m inclined to add doing some valve body work and adjusting the bands to that list, since nobody ever talks about adjusting the bands on the A4LD

 

[wildbill23c]

The biggest problem is, and not an A4LD issue, its an issue across the board is people are too damn cheap to maintain anything, throw in additional costs to have the transmission serviced every couple years and its like you are chopping of people's arms or legs, or both. Most people skip as much maintenance as they can, and the transmission is one of the main ones. Its working, I'll ignore it mentality. It goes ignored until its not working anymore, then people blame the automaker, the transmission, the previous owner(s), etc. Well, it all boils down to the lack of maintenance and proper cooling.

If you are looking at something and do a fluid check and the fluid is nice and clean be very suspicious. Just like anything else, I'm quite suspicious if I look at a vehicle and all the fluids have just been changed, most likely they're trying to hide stuff on you.

The A4LD in my Bronco 2 was rebuilt about 5-1/2 years ago, its doing fine, the shop did a few updates and mods to help keep it going too. Its an OK transmission if its taken care of from the beginning but most weren't so 2-3 or more owners later and 20+ years of not being serviced and well you get the idea.