Current A4LD, Possible To Use Different Auto Tranny

[wildbill23c]

My current 88 B2 has the A4LD automatic transmission, yes I know its about the worst one out there. Anyhow, I'm taking it to Aamco this weekend to start having work done to the B2, having the transmission rebuilt, and the guy says there's updated parts they put in when they rebuild them to make them stronger, which if they do in fact help that would be great. I also plan on having the stock transmission cooler replaced with a larger one.

Is it possible to put a different automatic transmission in rather than the A4LD? My 84 Ranger had a 3 speed automatic (not sure what it was), it did a lot of towing and never once had a transmission issue. So, are there any alternative automatics that can be used instead of the A4LD?

 

[RonD]

A4LD was and still is a good transmission, they were used up to 2012 Rangers, just renamed 4R and 5R

Old ranger probably had a C3, which was the parent of the A4LD, lol, so no escaping it

Good read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml

A4LD was first transmission to get internal solenoids, they were computer controlled, so the earlier years did have issues with solenoid wiring.
And first Overdrive trans as well, most transmission shops didn't know much about overdrive back then so often "pooched" the rebuild, and since mechanics can NEVER EVER make a mistake, it must be a bad design.................lol.
At the time these were leading edge technology so use and learn like most new stuff.

Anyway no reason to fear an A4LD if rebuilder has done them before, and yes the newer parts are better, always are after you have seen what fails over the years , for all things

 

[wildbill23c]

A4LD was and still is a good transmission, they were used up to 2012 Rangers, just renamed 4R and 5R

Old ranger probably had a C3, which was the parent of the A4LD, lol, so no escaping it

Good read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml

A4LD was first transmission to get internal solenoids, they were computer controlled, so the earlier years did have issues with solenoid wiring.
And first Overdrive trans as well, most transmission shops didn't know much about overdrive back then so often "pooched" the rebuild, and since mechanics can NEVER EVER make a mistake, it must be a bad design.................lol.
At the time these were leading edge technology so use and learn like most new stuff.

Anyway no reason to fear an A4LD if rebuilder has done them before, and yes the newer parts are better, always are after you have seen what fails over the years , for all things

Thank you Ron for your reply. I'm taking the B2 to Aamco, and apparently out of the 2 in my area I contacted the best one as they actually have a tech in there that worked for a local Ford dealership for 30 years and is now working at Aamco during his retirement years as their ford technician. He's very knowledgeable with the bronco 2's and the A4LD. So that makes me feel better.

They mentioned updated parts that make the transmission better, so I'm hoping that this takes care of the issue for a long time, unlike the 93 ranger that spit out 2 A4LD's within a couple years with very light use. That transmission shop is no longer in business what a surprise.

Aamco also mentioned they can do a 100k warranty on their transmissions, may find out the cost on that, or at least something more than a year or 2 warranty, maybe if they have to warranty the work for several years and several thousand miles they'll do a better job, but from the reviews I've read of this particular shop they do great work.

I'm also looking into having some other work done on the engine as well since its going to be there for a while due to the transmission rebuild. Its smoking at start up pretty bad, thinking it needs new rings for one, it will be getting a new starter, the bendix spring seems weak on the current one as it doesn't want to stay engaged.

 

[AllanD]

For use only on the 2.3/2.5 lima engine and on the 2.8/2.9/4.0 Cologne engines there is another possibility... in 1984-85 Rangers and Bronco2's used a C5 transmission.

A C5 is essentially a C4 with the addition of a lockup torque converter.

One major rub with using one is ford stopped using them about halfway through the 1985 model run when they replaced it with the A4LD...

So it's been over 30 YEARS since they made any and 30YEARS for those trucks equipped with them to find themselves put into the recycling path... to be melted to make new Toyotas and Subarus

 

[wildbill23c]

For use only on the 2.3/2.5 lima engine and on the 2.8/2.9/4.0 Cologne engines there is another possibility... in 1984-85 Rangers and Bronco2's used a C5 transmission.

A C5 is essentially a C4 with the addition of a lockup torque converter.

One major rub with using one is ford stopped using them about halfway through the 1985 model run when they replaced it with the A4LD...

So it's been over 30 YEARS since they made any and 30YEARS for those trucks equipped with them to find themselves put into the recycling path... to be melted to make new Toyotas and Subarus

Kind of what I'm trying to decide. Whether to have the A4LD rebuilt or find a C5 and have it installed. If they can rebuild the A4LD properly, which I think AAMCO can I wouldn't mind the A4LD, just had a bad taste for them due to the one in the 93 ranger I had failing after 13,000 miles of extremely light use, I don't think they rebuilt it properly in the first place...of course that shop is out of business gee I wonder why LOL.

I'll see how things go with the A4LD and at least I know I can throw in a C5 if needed.