5R55E Interchange Help Please

[The_Real_Doc]

Hi all,

I have a 1998 4x4 Explorer sport 2 dr, it has a 5R55E transmission, My question is, can I use a transmission from a 2001 to replace in my 1998.?

Also what years are compatible/interchangeable 1998-2001 ?

Is it the same, will it just go in and all is fine or is there steps to take, or not work at all.
I have a friend that will sell me his 2001 for cheap and mine is haveing
problems in 1st gear.
If I can buy this 2001 and replace it in my 1998 it would be a blessing.

Please help.
thanks

 

[manaen]

as long as it is from another 4wd, I believe the output shaft is different on a 2wd model other than that it should bolt right up. Oh and before you throw the newer tranny in there you might want to take a look at the 5r55 rebuild diary in the tranny section. There are some inherent problems/fixes that can be done to increase the life of this thing.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The 97 & 01 have extra sensors, so look for a 98, 99 or 2000 version.

 

[slvr00gt]

Hi all,

I have a 1998 4x4 Explorer sport 2 dr, it has a 5R55E transmission, My question is, can I use a transmission from a 2001 to replace in my 1998.?

Also what years are compatible/interchangeable 1998-2001 ?

Is it the same, will it just go in and all is fine or is there steps to take, or not work at all.
I have a friend that will sell me his 2001 for cheap and mine is haveing
problems in 1st gear.
If I can buy this 2001 and replace it in my 1998 it would be a blessing.

Please help.
thanks

I am looking to replace 5r55e tranny in my 1998 ranger and struggling with exactly the same question. From what I could gather, 2001+ transmissions have new ISS intermediate shaft speed sensor used by PCM in newer truck to further fine tune transmission operation and take up slack created by aging components. See this site for more info: http://vmtp.co.uk/news-newford1.htm

I heard some opinions that if ISS kept detached it should not make too much difference. Older PCM is programmed without the need for ISS and would operate transmission properly, although not ideally.

Unfortunately, I could not find any confirmation whether this will work for fact. I am removing my old transmission right now and need an answer soon. Local junkyards have many 2001+ trannys with low miles for a good price. I need to drive much farther and pay more for 98-00 transmission with more miles

Did anybody ever attempt this swap??

 

[The_Real_Doc]

The 97 & 01 have extra sensors, so look for a 98, 99 or 2000 version.

Bringing back a old thread,

Has anyone installed a 2001 5r55e in a older model say 1998-2000 and never bothered with the extra sensor added in 2001?

The new sensor added in 2001 is external is it not.?

Also when looking for a 98 5r55e from the wreckers they mention 98 is only compatible with 98.
99 and 00 are the same and 01 different again when doing the parts interchange ?

is there a difference if it is out of a ohv v6? as mine is a sohc v6?
bellhousing same on both v6? The OHV has a different housing I believe and read something like 1 bolt hole will not be used on the SOHC that the OHV used. and possibly a starter fitment problem. is this true?
Does that mean a 4L OHV 5r55e will not fit right in a SOHC 4L?

Does anyone know foresure (actually did this swap)that a 99-00 OHV will work in a 98 SOHC without mods. I can access 3 different transmissions being 98,99,and 00. Also have access to a low milage 01 and was hoping someone has knowledge of this. some ar OHV and I am SOHC so my concern is there.If I get a OHV model 5r55e couldnt u just change the bell housing if the bolt pattern is a little different or is there more to it.

I would like to snag the 2001 if it can be used in my 98 sohc by not useing the new sensor as it is a low mile used trans.

I know BrooklynBay mentioned stick with 98,99,00 due to the sensors but can the 01 still be used minus the sensor as the original harness will not have this wire and the pcm does not look for it.

Thanks for any help, greatly appreciated

 

[greasemanicure]

When I put a 5R in our 96ExOHV to replace the 4R that died (this was, at the time quite unintentional) the bell housing bolt pattern was slightly different as the donor tranny came from a 97 model and may have been from a OHC engine. I ended up swapping the bell housings and pumps. The 5R also had an extra sensor, maybe to work out the fifth gear. That hangs loose and my thoughts on the gearing, etc. that resulted was posted here a short while ago.

Joe

 

[The_Real_Doc]

When I put a 5R in our 96ExOHV to replace the 4R that died (this was, at the time quite unintentional) the bell housing bolt pattern was slightly different as the donor tranny came from a 97 model and may have been from a OHC engine. I ended up swapping the bell housings and pumps. The 5R also had an extra sensor, maybe to work out the fifth gear. That hangs loose and my thoughts on the gearing, etc. that resulted was posted here a short while ago.

Joe

So the OHV and SOHC do have different bolt up housings, interesting. Well that sucks for compatibility of useing OHV and OHC.

You mentioned swapping the housing which is easy but what was the deal with the pumps? you had to change that too and if I may ask what did it involve?
Thanks for the reply as I know what I am faceing now.
Anymore info in this thread is welcome as It will help me and many others I am sure.

 

[The_Real_Doc]

I am looking to replace 5r55e tranny in my 1998 ranger and struggling with exactly the same question. From what I could gather, 2001+ transmissions have new ISS intermediate shaft speed sensor used by PCM in newer truck to further fine tune transmission operation and take up slack created by aging components. See this site for more info: http://vmtp.co.uk/news-newford1.htm

I heard some opinions that if ISS kept detached it should not make too much difference. Older PCM is programmed without the need for ISS and would operate transmission properly, although not ideally.

Unfortunately, I could not find any confirmation whether this will work for fact. I am removing my old transmission right now and need an answer soon. Local junkyards have many 2001+ trannys with low miles for a good price. I need to drive much farther and pay more for 98-00 transmission with more miles

Did anybody ever attempt this swap??

Did you end up useing a 2001?

 

[greasemanicure]

Well, I started to work on swapping the pumps but upon examination the measurements from one to the other, internal and external, and the spline counts all seemed to be a match. I installed the 4R bell housing and pump from the original onto the 5R tranny. Hand spun it and either concluded or prayed that it was a match made in heaven, or at least at the Ford plant. It has been cranking along for the last 91k miles and unless I'm mistaken, with the absence of reverse, they only thing I cannot suspect based on pressure measurements is the pump. Over the long haul I've concluded that if it was not an exact match, it was damn close enough.
Joe

 

[robertschristopher720]

I have 2001 ranger 5r55e I want to swap it out for the non iss 5r55e out of 2000 ranger can I just switch the tcm out of the 2000 to the 2001 and it work