opinions wanted

[bazooka_joe]

i am looking at a 1990 4.0 v6 with the 4 liter automatic to buy. i would be trading an 85 mazda 626 for it. got any opinions about these trucks?

 

[thoughtcriminal]

the ford automatic sucks. Expect to have to rebuild/replace it on a high mileage vehicle. If you know how to drive a manual, get one instead.

 

[86_cookiemonster]

Well I have 86 ranger with a 2.3 and it has been an amazing truck. I have only heard good things about the 4.0 v6. The one thing you need to be sure of is that the transmission hasn't been destroyed. The A4ld automatic is known for it unreliability if you abuse it.

Plus you will look a lot more manly in a ranger than a wee lil mazda 626.

 

[SolidSnake84]

I too have heard many bad things about the A4LD. I had a 1990 Ranger with the 2.9L and a manual tranny that was awesome. It had over 200,000 miles when i got rid of it.

I also had a 1997 Ford Ranger that had the 2.3 and it was also manual. The manual transmissions in Rangers are great.

If you keep the oil changed in the trannys, they will last longer than the engine and frame will. If you can drive a clutch, I would strongly reccommend getting one with a manual.

 

[86_cookiemonster]

The A4ld is a problem child, but they are not horrible. If you don't abuse it, they will last just fine, I know several people with a4lds that have 100,000+ miles on them, and they work fine.
Note those are with smaller v6's not the 4.0.
If you are going to use the truck for serious hualing and towing, or playing around (mudding, racing, what ever it is you prefer to do on a Friday night). Manual would probably be the way to go.
If you are going to use it for daily driving, and lite towing ext. The auto will be fine. Just take care of it.

 

[woodyedmiston]

Auto Trans

My auto trans went 180K before a bracket broke on one of the solenoids. The solenoid was $400 from Ford according the the shop. I bought a 35K auto trans for $600 with a 90 day guarantee and it's still working at 255K.

It doesn't climb rocks or go mudding but it gets me to work, looking manly, and hauls junk out to the landfill.

 

[MAKG]

the ford automatic sucks. Expect to have to rebuild/replace it on a high mileage vehicle. If you know how to drive a manual, get one instead.

FYI, Mazda 626s come with a Ford automatic transmission. 4EAT.

That transmission sucks about the same as other Ford automatics of that vintage (including those used in Rangers).

 

[86_cookiemonster]

FYI, Mazda 626s come with a Ford automatic transmission. 4EAT.

That transmission sucks about the same as other Ford automatics of that vintage (including those used in Rangers).

The 1985 mazda 626 came with a 3 speed automatic known as the F3A. That was a mazda built transmission.

The 4EAT was a ford transmission based off the mazda G4A-EL 4 speed automatic. THe 4EAT was not used in the mazda 626 it was the G4A-EL. They are actualy different transmissions. The G4A-El was introduced in 1988. The 4EAT came out in 1991.