Need A4LD swap info: is Mazda different than Ford

[Demersus]

Hi everyone,

I bought my first Ranger recently, a 1990 Super Cab Custom 2WD with 2.9 V6 and A4LD tranny. My mechanic is doing a complete rebuild on the original motor, but the transmission was also having some issues; wouldn't go into gear right away and was slipping. We pulled the pan today and there is too much clutch plate material in the pan for him to feel comfortable using it. Since the engine is out, we're planning to swap it also. We're going to try to find a good junk yard unit, but I have some cross-application questions.

I did some reading about the A4LD and saw that it was used in the Mazda B-series from 1994 to 2002, but only from 1985 to 1994 in the Ranger. Can you put a Mazda A4LD into a Ranger? Did the Mazda unit have different shifting controls, cooling line fittings or other stuff like that? I'd like to put as new of a tranny in as possible, so if a Mazda unit will work that would be great. It was also used in the Aerostart until 1995, so would that work as long as it's not AWD?

Thanks,

Demersus

 

[Snoranger]

I did some reading about the A4LD and saw that it was used in the Mazda B-series from 1994 to 2002, but only from 1985 to 1994 in the Ranger.

I dont know where you read that, but its wrong. Both the Ranger and the Mazda use the same trans. The a4ld was used in them until 94.

 

[Demersus]

Hi Snoranger,

Yeah, it seemed weird to me also so I wanted to double check. I got that info from this wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_A4LD_transmission

Demersus

 

[Snoranger]

Wikipedia is just full of F'ups.

 

[CountryBoy704]

haha yeah wiki will lead you astray, it should go in fine just dont try to use an AWD or 4WD version and the closer you get to the year of your truck the easier it will be to make work

 

[Demersus]

So, I've also read that the A4LD for the 4.0L V6 is a stronger version than for the 2.9L. That being the case, other than the bell housing is there any external difference between one for a 4.0 and one for the 2.9? Is the input shaft the same, etc?

 

[Snoranger]

So, I've also read that the A4LD for the 4.0L V6 is a stronger version than for the 2.9L. That being the case, other than the bell housing is there any external difference between one for a 4.0 and one for the 2.9? Is the input shaft the same, etc?

The 2.9l bell housing is the same as the 4.0l OHV (it is also almost the same as the SOHC. 7 of 8 bolts are the same.). The torque converter is a different stall speed, but the 2.9l converter will fit the 4.0l a4ld.

 

[Demersus]

Thanks for the info, Snoranger. It's very helpful. I was also wondering about something I read regarding a design change in the A4LD at the 1993.5 model year. I read an article that says it went to an electronic 3rd to 4th gear shift at that point. Here is the article I read: http://www.turbotbird.com/techinfo/AutoTransFix/A4LD_Fix.htm

So, if that's the case I assume that I could not use that version on my 1990 because it doesn't have the electronic overdrive shift control capability.