Been through 4 5r55e's within 4 years.

[Running a Ranger]

Depending on failure...I replace the coolers and lines......radiator as well if need be.


. Within stock use...and no towing with ok maintenance....I do expect 200 to 250 k miles.


That said.


The a4ld is a giant pile of shit. It was a giant failure on the drafting table....

If you abuse them... Say a typical teenager with 35 in tires....not off roading....just driving. Maybe 20k miles.


Because they are garbage. When you are building them... You just shake your head in disgust.



Getting any good hard parts right now is not happening. You have to get lucky. Most remans are not containing the proper hard parts.

4r70, I would never had guessed an issue...let alone 6r80 which is in production and locally built. Need a valve body that's Dyno proven....good luck.

Those are great transmissions.

À4ld and it's bastardized off spring

Trash.

I agree 100%. My question is why did ford decide to use the A4LD - 5r55 for 20 years.

The funny thing is, is that my grandfather was a ford dealer mechanic from 1990 - 2005 and he will not believe me that the a4ld's are junk. He said he don't remember any of them in the shop. He has a 1994 explorer that I sold him about 1.5 year ago, the transmission would shift smooth as butter. He is constantly reving it up taking off and it has now developed harsh engagements into reverse and drive.

 

[bobbywalter]

Based on data given.

He just had shit luck. Or typical a4ld bullshit.

 

[bobbywalter]

I agree 100%. My question is why did ford decide to use the A4LD - 5r55 for 20 years.

The funny thing is, is that my grandfather was a ford dealer mechanic from 1990 - 2005 and he will not believe me that the a4ld's are junk. He said he don't remember any of them in the shop. He has a 1994 explorer that I sold him about 1.5 year ago, the transmission would shift smooth as butter. He is constantly reving it up taking off and it has now developed harsh engagements into reverse and drive.

Because they are fucking idiots. Those decisions were not made because it's a giant example of robust efficiency.

Dead horse beating and selling new vehicles....see frame rot.

 

[Running a Ranger]

Because they are fucking idiots. Those decisions were not made because it's a giant example of robust efficiency.

Dead horse beating and selling new vehicles....see frame rot.

Typical Fo Mo Co.

 

[Running a Ranger]

I worked at a transmission shop doing R&R's. As mentioned, it is important to blow out the cooler lines and a few other things to ensure proper installation. Another important thing is fluid type and amount. Also the torque converter must be fully seated, which does take some attention. The dowels and alignment is also key.
If you have been dealing with the same dealer, maybe have it done somewhere else this time.

I might just inspect the lines myself.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I might just inspect the lines myself.

Hit with an air compressor blower tip, see what comes out the other line.
Also as mentioned and reminded me, during R&R's the radiator was often just replaced the sake of clean passages, especially on neglected/ high mileage transmissions. They probably should have done this at the mileage of your first swap.

 

[Running a Ranger]

Hit with an air compressor blower tip, see what comes out the other line.
Also as mentioned and reminded me, during R&R's the radiator was often just replaced the sake of clean passages, especially on neglected/ high mileage transmissions. They probably should have done this at the mileage of your first swap.

Good suggestion, I had actually replaced the radiator myself not too long after I bought the truck due to it leaking.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Sounds like its the something along the lines boning you. I'd start there for sure.

 

[sgtsandman]

When it comes to the Ranger Based Vehicles, Ford is notorious for just using what is on the shelf and can be made to fit. It is bean counter driven and not what is the best thing for the vehicle reliability. The current Ranger is following the same model. The plus side is that the enthusiast base is able to figure out how to keep things going since there is a track record in other vehicles to look at. Also, some of the components have had the issues worked out by the time they get put into the Ranger but not always.

 

[19Walt93]

Good suggestion, I had actually replaced the radiator myself not too long after I bought the truck due to it leaking.

Some new radiators come with plugs in the cooler line ports, if they aren't removed transmission failure is certain. We had darn few Ranger/Explorer transmission problems but we also stressed maintenance and serviced transmission by drain and fill. Jiffy Lube and snake oil salesmen like BG love to sell flushes and flush chemicals.

 

[Running a Ranger]

Some new radiators come with plugs in the cooler line ports, if they aren't removed transmission failure is certain. We had darn few Ranger/Explorer transmission problems but we also stressed maintenance and serviced transmission by drain and fill. Jiffy Lube and snake oil salesmen like BG love to sell flushes and flush chemicals.

Yes, I remember those plugs, I'm certain I removed them because I remember them being red. I've also never been a believer in additives either.

 

[19Walt93]

When it comes to the Ranger Based Vehicles, Ford is notorious for just using what is on the shelf and can be made to fit. It is bean counter driven and not what is the best thing for the vehicle reliability. The current Ranger is following the same model. The plus side is that the enthusiast base is able to figure out how to keep things going since there is a track record in other vehicles to look at. Also, some of the components have had the issues worked out by the time they get put into the Ranger but not always.

Using parts off the shelf instead of reinventing the wheel every time saves money, reduces complexity, and improves reliability. Some folks on here like Honda and Toyota(I don't), they're the world champions at using common parts among many models, saves them having to rip off more ideas from other makes. The famous 428 Cobra Jet was a 428 police interceptor short block with a 390 GT cam, 427 low riser heads, 390 GT exhaust manifolds and it ruled the stock drag racing classes for years. The 82 Mustang GT used the 351 firing order because Ford reused a 351 marine cam that was on the shelf- engineering was done, parts existed, and it had a bigger profile that was conservative enough to pass emissions. The 65 Mustang was basically a Falcon so it could be produced cheap enough for the young people who wanted it to buy it. Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, and Buick all sold similar vehicles with common parts, except that GM spent the money to design and build unique engines for each. At one time they all had 350s and 400s(Chevy had both big and small block 400s) and no parts interchanged. Maybe if they'd settled on one powertrain they wouldn't have had to flush Pontiac and Olds- or maybe they'd have flushed them 20 years earlier and not needed federal loan guaranties..

 

[sgtsandman]

Using parts off the shelf instead of reinventing the wheel every time saves money, reduces complexity, and improves reliability. Some folks on here like Honda and Toyota(I don't), they're the world champions at using common parts among many models, saves them having to rip off more ideas from other makes. The famous 428 Cobra Jet was a 428 police interceptor short block with a 390 GT cam, 427 low riser heads, 390 GT exhaust manifolds and it ruled the stock drag racing classes for years. The 82 Mustang GT used the 351 firing order because Ford reused a 351 marine cam that was on the shelf- engineering was done, parts existed, and it had a bigger profile that was conservative enough to pass emissions. The 65 Mustang was basically a Falcon so it could be produced cheap enough for the young people who wanted it to buy it. Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, and Buick all sold similar vehicles with common parts, except that GM spent the money to design and build unique engines for each. At one time they all had 350s and 400s(Chevy had both big and small block 400s) and no parts interchanged. Maybe if they'd settled on one powertrain they wouldn't have had to flush Pontiac and Olds- or maybe they'd have flushed them 20 years earlier and not needed federal loan guaranties..

Oh, it wasn’t a bashing on Ford. More of a statement of fact. Like I stated above, it can be a beneficial thing using already worked through parts that came from other vehicles. Unfortunately, application doesn’t always work well on paper and some of those items just have known issues that never get resolved.

All the manufacturers do it and Honda is famous for it, whether the end user realizes it or not. Base platforms, engines, and transmissions used over and over again and adapted as needed for whatever they are going into. The Honda CR-V started out with a modified Civic platform and the engine from the Acura Integra. The Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey share the same platform and engine. I think the transmissions are similar, though the Pilot and the Ridgeline either got their own transmission or the the transmission from the Odyssey was modified for AWD.

The Odyssey transmission was known to be problematic and was eventually fixed or replaced. Honda isn’t immune from vehicle problems either. The Integra/CR-V 2.0 was known to have a potential valve burning issue if lash adjustments weren’t done at a certain interval. Acura was much better at passing that word along than Honda was.

So, it’s definitely not just a Ford thing.

 

[Running a Ranger]

Well, I'm back again. My truck has not messed up since I got back from the dealer...until yesterday. I was pulling my little trailer (no more than 300 lbs) and I was in 4th gear going about 37 or 38 mph. engine at low rpm just before the usual downshift (If you remember I mostly have problems in 5th gear). It starts jerking, only 2 times though, then I lift my foot off the gas because I'm coming up on a stop sign. As I start to pull away from the stop sign (the first time this has ever happened) it sort of stumbles right when it takes off. Not like the engine is getting ready to stall or misfiring, but actual slippage of tranny. It drove fine the rest of the day. I guess I will blow out the lines when I get a chance.

While reading this thread again I noticed I was talking out of both sides of my mouth. earlier in the thread I said I like the a4ld but later on I told somebody else that I say the a4ld is junk. So, to clear that up, I say, the a4ld is good only when specially cared for and treated. Sorry about that.

 

[Blmpkn]

Well, I'm back again. My truck has not messed up since I got back from the dealer...until yesterday. I was pulling my little trailer (no more than 300 lbs) and I was in 4th gear going about 37 or 38 mph. engine at low rpm just before the usual downshift (If you remember I mostly have problems in 5th gear). It starts jerking, only 2 times though, then I lift my foot off the gas because I'm coming up on a stop sign. As I start to pull away from the stop sign (the first time this has ever happened) it sort of stumbles right when it takes off. Not like the engine is getting ready to stall or misfiring, but actual slippage of tranny. It drove fine the rest of the day. I guess I will blow out the lines when I get a chance.

Just swap in a manual lol.