A4LD Swap Question

[Peej]

Hello there. I have an '86 TBird Turbo Coupe/Auto that I'd like to swap an A4LD into. I'm on the Ranger forum because it seems that you guys seem to know your stuff when it comes to this particular trans. Here's my deal. First of all, this car is my DD and I really don't prefer to drive a stick every day. I leave that for the weekends. The car came with the C3 automatic and I want to put an A4LD in it. I know they put the A4LD in the 87-88 TBird, but I also know there are some electronics involved, and I don't know how much.

I've been doing some research and I know that there are some A4LDs used in the Rangers, Explorers, and Aerostars that weren't so computer dependent. Perhaps just a lock up converter that's electronically controlled.

So, I guess my questions are, have any of you swapped in an A4LD into an older Ranger/Bronco/Explorer that didn't have the electronics? Was there a way around it? Can I use a non-locking converter? Or, is it easy to get the electronics to work?

If I go to the salvage yard to pick up a core trans for rebuild, what vehicles should I take it out of? Now, I'm avoiding the TBird trans on purpose because I BELIEVE that it has more involved electronics, but I could be wrong. If I can retro one out of a 'Bird I suspect that would be the easiest, but I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking you guys. I'm sure if I go with a non-Bird trans, I'll have to shorten my driveshaft, which really isn't much of a problem to do. Also, does it matter if the vehicle I pull it from is a floor shift or a column shift?

I'm sure I'll have a few more questions should I get some replys here. Thanks for your help!

 

[martin]

I don't know if you will get much help in that direction, most of the guys on here remove the A4LD's cause they're crap and replace them with C3's or one of the manual transmissions. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Peej]

Hey, I appreciate the honesty. Should I look at the 4R44E instead? Or is it still just as crappy? I know now that means I gotta mess with some sort of controller now though...

 

[kevinsranger]

Hey, I appreciate the honesty. Should I look at the 4R44E instead? Or is it still just as crappy? I know now that means I gotta mess with some sort of controller now though...

i dont know that the 4r44e is any better, or the 5r55e for that matter lol. i would would stick to the c3 you have

 

[exbass94]

The 4r44e is more reliable but way more electronics involved. The A4LD isn't that bad IMHO. Keep the fluid cool and change it regularly and they usually last a fairly long time. I'm pretty sure the floor shift models have a different linkage than the column shift. The torque converter lockup and the 3-4 shift are electronically controlled. Some older ones don't have electronic controls I don't think, but I don't know which ones. 4wd ones have a different tail housing and output shaft, though those can be swapped if you're rebuilding it anyway. They were bolted behind several engines with different bellhousing patterns. I'm pretty sure the bellhousings are removable and swappable.

For a lot more info on the A4LD and how to build it strong, go to explorerforum.com and search for "Frankentranny." A guy built one using stronger 5r55e parts. It's a very informative read.

 

[Tedybear]

Nickels worth of free advice. While the A4LD from a car to truck is just about the same? You might find the output shaft will need to be changed. (ours started off with a A4LD from a mustang...and the PO changed it out for our BII with the transfer case)

S-

 

[Viper Command]

hope this helps.

Ok, your t-bird is a 2.3L right?

you can use an a4ld but it needs to be an older one w/ 1 soleanoid for the converter lock up.

as for wiring the tc lockup you can use this... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8950/

and the tail shaft splines are different, but you can use the slip yoke from the same truck, however the trans is a different lenght so you will need to get a custom drive shaft, and you may need to make a crossmember to mount the trans.

 

[Peej]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I appreciate ALL of the comments! Yeah, I know it’s always easier to keep what I have or to swap in a 5-speed. But I figured I can have my 4-eye ‘Bird with an Automatic AND overdrive too! Lol…

Exbass, I'll check out the link on "Frankentranny". Sounds like it's worth a look! Thanks!

Viper, thanks for the link! I've checked it out and sounds good. Any idea of the range of years of vehicles I need to look at? I was gonna start with an ’87 Ranger/Aerostar?

 

[Peej]

Okay, I think I just answered one of my two questions. Looks like my year range is '85-88.

So then I suppose my options are those with the 2.3 and with floor shifters? Or can I also use the V6 trans?

 

[adsm08]

The A4LD can be fitted with floor or column shift. As for the engine, really you could take it from any of them. You'd just have to change the bell to match yours. I may be wrong about this, but I think the A4 and C3 bells can be swapped.