sigh...

['99 EB Explorer]

well....lost reverse in the explorer last night.

but after doing A LOT of reading and research...i went out and topped up the trans fluid (about 1/4 of a bottle) and it seems to be working now. Now i just don't know if i can ever trust the damned thing again.

i know the previous owner had it rebuilt about 6-7 months ago by a shop that i DO NOT trust (bad dealings with them with my ranger a few years back)

either way, i guess i'll drive it and keep you all up-to-date on what's happening with it.

isn't it funny that vehicles will only let you down after you've been laid-off? IT'S A GIANT VEHICLUAR CONSPIRACY!!! lol

 

[Original_Ranger84]

When was the last time the filter on it was changed? I am assuming when they did the rebuild?

I have never trusted rebuilt stuff... theres just something... not factory about it and haunts the back of my mind.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

to be honest, i don't have a clue when the last time was that the filter was changed.

I've been driving it around and towing a utility trailer around with it all day without a single problem....so i'm assuming that adding that little bit of fluid was the fix for it.

As for not trusting the rebuild stuff....i know exactly what you mean. If i can ever convince my wife, i think i'm going to head to the local speed and custom shop and order a whole brand-new trans.

i've found quite a bit of info since last night. one post that i found was on a full-size ford forum and it was posted by a ford tech with lots of experience in transmissions. He was saying that these tranny's are actually used in race applications and that there are "heavy duty" rebuild part available on the market to make them much stronger.

but the biggest thing he said was that the A4LD is EXTREMELY picky when it comes to fluid level.(for anyone having issues with their trans.)

needless to say, i'm taking it in on monday to see if there's any codes to be pulled(sticky valve or whatnot) and i think i'll order a full trans fluid flush while i'm at it.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

to be honest, i don't have a clue when the last time was that the filter was changed.

I've been driving it around and towing a utility trailer around with it all day without a single problem....so i'm assuming that adding that little bit of fluid was the fix for it.

As for not trusting the rebuild stuff....i know exactly what you mean. If i can ever convince my wife, i think i'm going to head to the local speed and custom shop and order a whole brand-new trans.

i've found quite a bit of info since last night. one post that i found was on a full-size ford forum and it was posted by a ford tech with lots of experience in transmissions. He was saying that these tranny's are actually used in race applications and that there are "heavy duty" rebuild part available on the market to make them much stronger.

but the biggest thing he said was that the A4LD is EXTREMELY picky when it comes to fluid level.(for anyone having issues with their trans.)

needless to say, i'm taking it in on monday to see if there's any codes to be pulled(sticky valve or whatnot) and i think i'll order a full trans fluid flush while i'm at it.

I would look into getting the filter changed... although it probably isn't a problem, something as picky as an auto trans I would make sure its in peak condition.

Yeah the low fluid was definatly the problem, for as little as i know about auto transmissions I do know they require the right amount of fluid to work properly as they run off of hydrolic power...

I don't think you have an A4LD either... if I am not mistaken they dropped that trans awhile ago in the early 90's, It would not hold up to a 4L. You should either have a 44R4 or 55R5 (Not sure if thats exactly what they are called but something like that)

I don't trust automatic stuff... I go for manual whereever I can... because anything that was automatic on anything i have owned has broke, and its too darn complicated to fix. Manual stuff always works unless you abuse it and its simple to work on... YOu should definately do a 5 spd swap!

 

['99 EB Explorer]

YOu should definately do a 5 spd swap!

ahh if i had the time and $$$. Real drivers shift their own gears!

 

[Hopman]

I don't trust automatic stuff... I go for manual whereever I can... because anything that was automatic on anything i have owned has broke, and its too darn complicated to fix. Manual stuff always works unless you abuse it and its simple to work on... YOu should definately do a 5 spd swap!

+1 on the stick swap. Besides, sick shift are more FUN than slushboxes anyway.

In my book, nothing beats the " three-peddle cha-cha" on a windey road.

 

[adsm08]

in all reality, it will probably cost the same or less to switch to manny vs. buying that high perf auto

 

['99 EB Explorer]

ok...i just looked at the tech library and it wasn't very helpful.

Is there a kit to swap in a 5-spd for an Eddie Bauer with the SOHC 4.0L and, if so, where can i find this gem? also, would i be looking for a T5?

Thanks

 

[idriveafordranger94]

I don't think you have an A4LD either... if I am not mistaken they dropped that trans awhile ago in the early 90's, It would not hold up to a 4L.QUOTE]

My 1994 Ranger has the 4.0L and the A4LD.
When you said they dropped the A4LD, did you mean they dropped it when they came out with the SOHC 4.0L?

 

[Hopman]

Nope. You're looking for an M5OD.

 

[MountainMike]

When was the last time the filter on it was changed? I am assuming when they did the rebuild?

I have never trusted rebuilt stuff... theres just something... not factory about it and haunts the back of my mind.

I do. My 5-speed was rebuilt by these guys. Legit company based out of Alberta, everything from passenger vehicles transmissions to big rigs.

http://www.gearcentre.com/

Heard good things about them, even from work. Gave me a little confidence in the trans.

 

[adsm08]

No kit. I can give you a list of parts though.

You will need:
Clutch pedal
Neutral safety switch
Master cylinder w/ line
slave cylinder
starter for manual trans
flywheel
clutch kit
tranny
a few assorted wires
diagrams
couple quarts of Merc V ATF.

Anything that you "need" that I didn't put in here should either be part of the clutch kit or should already be on the tranny.

 

[WNY964x4]

My 1994 Ranger has the 4.0L and the A4LD.
When you said they dropped the A4LD, did you mean they dropped it when they came out with the SOHC 4.0L?

they stopped building A4LD's at the end of 95 and switched to the 4R/5R trannys for the 96 model year when everything went to OBD II , not that everything engine wise was controlled by the computer , the tranny is the same way

and to the OP , i trust rebuilt stuff , as in stuff i rebuilt myself

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I don't think you have an A4LD either... if I am not mistaken they dropped that trans awhile ago in the early 90's, It would not hold up to a 4L.QUOTE]

My 1994 Ranger has the 4.0L and the A4LD.
When you said they dropped the A4LD, did you mean they dropped it when they came out with the SOHC 4.0L?

Well They may have put it behind the 4L but as far as I know its a weak trans that they dropped like said before in 95 or so...

I do. My 5-speed was rebuilt by these guys. Legit company based out of Alberta, everything from passenger vehicles transmissions to big rigs.

http://www.gearcentre.com/

Heard good things about them, even from work. Gave me a little confidence in the trans.

Well I'm not sayin rebuilt stuff is bad... I have had lots of good rebuilt stuff, it just I get this feeling in the back of my mind like well what if something is bad or misplaced... it could go at any time and leave me stranded... kinda feeling... We had the trans rebuilt on one of my dads work trucks and 5,000 miles later it blew up, turns out the guy that did it reused roll pins (NEVER REUSE ROLL PINS, they are dirt cheap and can be had anywhere, there is no excuse not to put in new ones)