rebuilding an a4ld

[ewoodbj67]

im looking at picking up a 87 ranger with the 2.9l and a a4ld its a 4x4 and i would like to keep it an auto. the tranny is bad. the guy said that all the fuild ran out that it didnt really blow up. how hard would it be to rebuild it and would it be worth it? if not what other auto tran could i put in there for not that much work. im just tryign to have the truck get me threw winter for now till i do a 4.0l swap or go v8. thanks

 

[MAKG]

There are no really good RBV automatic transmissions, and no overdrive transmissions at all aside from the A4LD that will work with your engine management computer.

Running low on fluid probably broke quite a few things. Rebuilding this particular transmission is almost certainly not cost effective.

I hope this thing was really cheap.

If you want a good transmission in this thing, only a 1988+ Mazda M5OD manual transmission is worth the effort. And a 4.0L swap will do just fine with it, since all 4.0Ls with manual transmissions have that one behind them.

 

[ewoodbj67]

yea im getting the truck for like 500. and the body is in like perfect shape. do you know about how much it would cost to swap in the M5OD trans? thanks for your help.

 

[MAKG]

No one can know. You haven't even said where you are or how well you can diagnose in the field.

The no-frills place I go to sells arbitrary transmissions (of any type) for $110, with a next-to-useless 30 day guarantee. I've seen people try to sell these transmissions for as much as $700 (gotta support the crack habit, I guess).

Of course you'll need other parts aside from the transmission to complete the retrofit. Especially the clutch, and a manual transmission computer is advisible.

 

[ewoodbj67]

well i know a little about trannys. im located in carlisle pa. but would it be easier to swap in a FM146? im not tryign to have to change drive shafts and all. i just need somethign to get threw the winter right now. and can you use a electric tcase ne a manual trans?

 

[MAKG]

The effort involved in a 4WD M5OD swap is IDENTICAL to the effort required in an FM146 swap. They are drop-in replacements for one another.

Except FM146s suck donkeys. I wouldn't put one in my truck if it were free. Stupid design error.

You don't need to swap transfer cases. They are the same. Most Exploders -- even with manual transmissions -- came with electric shift BW 1354s and automatic locking hubs.

 

[ewoodbj67]

thanks a lot. i only got a couple more questions. i know u need the tranny, clutch, flywheel, pedals, and hydraulic parts. is there anything else i would need and how hard is the wiring? thanks for all the help.