1st gen and 2nd gen compatibly

[NathanTbyrd]

Hey guys, I have a few questions regarding the compatibility between a 1st gen transmission/transaxle and a 2nd gens. My 94’s tranny and transaxle are bad and I have a 2nd gen explorer for scrap, any ideas?

 

[RangerX]

Welcome!
I don’t believe the transmissions will swap, the gen2 is computer controlled.
Not sure what you mean by transaxle, if you mean axles, the rear axle will swap, the front will not.
If you mean transfer case, that might swap, depending.

 

[Stic-o]

Automatic transmission is not interchangeable, unless you were to swap the computer too. Early 2nd gen I think had a stand alone computer, but it really would not be worth it, for the amount of work.

Manual Transmission would interchange.

 

[MrQ]

Physically interchangeable, yes. But it cannot be controlled by the 1st gen computer. All the 1st gen and 2nd gen automatics were controlled by the PCM, no stand alone computer (The 95 was just an odd duck with the OBD1.5 config, but everything was still controlled by the PCM). There is only one automatic transmission that will work with the 1st gen PCM and that is the A4LD.

Table outlining the general transmission and engine configurations for each year and compatibility. Added a few notes about each model year.

Year	Engine	Trans Options	Notes
91-94	4.0 OHV	A4LD, M5OD	OBD1,
95	4.0 OHV	4R55E (95 only), M5OD	OBD1.5 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans
96	4.0 OHV	4R55E (96 only), M5OD	OBD2 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans
	5.0 OHV	4R70W (96-97 only)	OBD2 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans, GT40 heads, internal EGR
97	4.0 OHV	5R55E (97 only), M5OD	OBD2 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans
	5.0 OHV	4R70W (96-97 only)	OBD2 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans, Early models GT40 heads (internal EGR)/later GT40P (external EGR)
	4.0 SOHC	5R55E (97 only, OHV or SOHC)	OBD2 (Pre-PATS), Speed sensor in trans, variable length intake
98	4.0 OHV	5R55E (98 only, OHV or SOHC), M5OD	PATS, ABS speed sensor
	5.0 OHV	4R70W (98-01 only)	PATS, ABS speed sensor, Updated DTRS, Updated internals, GT40P heads, external EGR
	4.0 SOHC	5R55E (98 only, OHV or SOHC)	PATS, ABS speed sensor, variable length intake
99-00	4.0 OHV	5R55E (99-01 only, OHV or SOHC), M5OD	PATS, Return-less fuel system, ABS speed sensor
	5.0 OHV	4R70W (98-01 only)	PATS, Return-less fuel system, ABS speed sensor, Updated DTRS, Updated internals, GT40P heads, external EGR
	4.0 SOHC	5R55E (99-01 only, OHV or SOHC)	PATS, Return-less fuel system, ABS speed sensor
01	5.0 OHV	4R70W (98-01 only)	PATS, Return-less fuel system, ABS speed sensor, Updated DTRS, Updated internals, external EGR
	4.0 SOHC	5R55E (99-01 only, OHV or SOHC)	PATS, Return-less fuel system, ABS speed sensor
		M5ODHD (Sport only)