93 for towing - buyer's remorse?

[ErockSteady]

Hey everyone,

I just picked up a very nice ’93 XLT, and I’m having a slight bit of buyer’s remorse. Not because I don’t think they’re great rigs for what they are, but I didn’t do my research before snatching it up (was a killer deal and there were other interested buyers, so I moved quickly. It’s got 130k miles and in great shape, and I picked it up for a grand). However, the problem is that I bought it thinking it would be our family camping rig, i.e. loading it up with the wife and kids and gear, and pulling a smaller trailer. I saw that it had the factory towing package, so that made me move even quicker on the purchase. “Perfect” I thought. Only *AFTER* I bought the rig did I do my research on the A4LD. There is lots of info on this site, and most of it seems to say do NOT tow with a first gen.
The trailer will be less than 2,000 pounds loaded (4x8 aluminum). The trip will be about 400 miles round trip. The tranny seems to be fine now—no slipping, no clunks, no hard shifts, etc. Are there any success stories out there with towing with a first gen? Do I need to stop worrying? Part me says “what the heck”, since it was so cheap. Just drive it, and if it blows up I put a new tranny in--I just don’t want to be stranded on the mountain pass! It seems these rigs just aren’t meant to tow.
Another question: if I upgrade from the factory cooler to a larger one, can I just use the factory lines? Is it recommended to install larger cooler lines?

Thanks!

 

[IAmTodd]

Keep the fluid fresh and cool. I'd look into buying a bigger trans cooler. I'd also stay out of OD when towing.

 

[Jason94sport]

What he said. Also make sure your cooling system is fresh & I'd do some compression checks on the engine to make sure it's in ok shape. I towed a 6X8 enclosed trailer of sound equipment once a week locally for 6 months In my other X that had the auto. It was ok other then trying to pass on the HW. Defiantly a slow lane only hauler. It can tow have no fear, just is a bit slower doing it & some more maintenance is needed to keep it towing.

 

[Maniak]

Even though we went through a few A4LDs they actually held up better than I expected. We were towing 200 gallons of water 3 times a week for a year or so. The truck didn't seem to care but like others have said, keep it out of OD.

We were running the biggest trans cooler (tube/fin style) at the time. I have since learned that a stacked plate style is more efficient and the better option.

I'd have to say that was around 5000 miles per year and that transmission still lasted about 80k miles.

I don't remember when we changed the other 2 transmissions but by the time we had 300k miles I was putting in the 4th transmission (3rd replacement). By then our truck was lifted and running 33" tires with 4.10 gears and was taken off-road often.

So, if your nice to the transmission, keep it cool it should last. If your hard on it, wheel it and don't keep it cool (not easy to do when its 120F out and wheeling) its not going to last as long..

BTW, rebuilds cost $1300 to $2200 but make sure you get it rebuilt well.. I don't trust the rebuilds we ended up with.

To put things in perspective. We are running a 700r4 trans now (thanks to an adapter) and at almost 90k miles this trans needs some work. The pressures have dropped and we think I may have broken a sprag (no engine breaking) so I can even break a trans that is stronger than the a4ld.

Another change I'd do is to add an external trans filter. Basically its an oil filter adapter for the PH8a/FL1A filter. You put it inline between the trans and the coolers (I put it first). This gives you better filtration (the pan filter is really just a screen) plus some extra capacity and cooling. If you change that filter and top off the trans when you do an engine oil change it will help keep things cleaner.

~Mark

 

[ErockSteady]

Thanks, everyone! Great info here...also making me feel better about my plans

Another change I'd do is to add an external trans filter. Basically its an oil filter adapter for the PH8a/FL1A filter. You put it inline between the trans and the coolers (I put it first). This gives you better filtration (the pan filter is really just a screen) plus some extra capacity and cooling. If you change that filter and top off the trans when you do an engine oil change it will help keep things cleaner.

Sounds like a good idea. Some initial shopping on Napa, RockAuto websites aren't turning up anything...where would I purchase an external filter kit? Am I just not searching correctly?

Regarding the stock cooler that is currently on the truck, can I simply swap out the stock one for a new stacked plate style and be done with it? Are the stock lines running to and from the cooler sufficient?

Thanks!

 

[FIND]

I towed a lot with my first gen, and the only thing I can do is agree with the guys above. Aux tranny cooler, and make sure to change your fluid regularly. It also helps when you are running 3.73s and stock size tires, but I also towed with my other first gen that had 3.27s, just not very often.

With good maintenance, an A4LD will last a LONG time, even when you work it, as long as you don't abuse it.

External filter? Just go with a remote oil filter plate and plumb your tranny cooler lines right through it.

The stock cooler lines flow all the oil that tranny will push through them without creating any type of restriction. You won't need to worry about them. The biggest thing you need to worry about is a better cooler, or an auxiliary cooler.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Knock on wood

Don't fret too much. Look for a pretty small (light) trailer and keep up on the maintenance as suggested.

I just returned from a week and a half in Moab Utah and I towed a Rockwood 1610 tent trailer (1500lbs) down and back. (second trip, first time in 2010).

I did tow in OD on the flat when I could.

I have 250,000 miles on my OEM transmission, run and aux filter/temp gauge, 2 aux coolers (an electric fan on the second for low speed driving) and Amsiol fluid.

You can see my installation in the 'I've been busy' thread linked in my signature.

A 130,000mile 93 XLT is a rare find, congratulations!

 

[colintrax]

+1 on what everyone has said. And while it might not be the best tow rig, it is a great wheeling rig. So don't be afraid to do down the beaten path when you go camping

However I should say, when people say don't use O/D. They don't mean go 80mph with it in 3rd gear. I tend to click O/D back on at 60ish depending on how much I'm pulling. However that's with my 97 and a 5r55e trans. Might wanna see what the 1st gen guys say about that.

 

[ErockSteady]

All great information everyone, thank you for the replies.

 

[Maniak]

Thanks, everyone! Great info here...also making me feel better about my plans



Sounds like a good idea. Some initial shopping on Napa, RockAuto websites aren't turning up anything...where would I purchase an external filter kit? Am I just not searching correctly?

Regarding the stock cooler that is currently on the truck, can I simply swap out the stock one for a new stacked plate style and be done with it? Are the stock lines running to and from the cooler sufficient?

Thanks!

Here is a thread about the adapter and it even has a p/n .
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298350

For the Aux cooler, yes, just get the biggest you can fit in there AND if you want an OEM (not ford oem) fan to put on the front you can grab one from a '92 Geo Prism/Toyota Corolla. Its a 10" pusher with a grille type thing in front of it. I use that in front of one of my coolers I use now. You just have to figure out a way to mount it. I just bent some 1/8" strap steel to make mounts.

For an Aux cooler I really like the tru cool ones. BulkPart carries them but so do a lot of other places. I use the biggest one they make (45,000 btu) as the only cooling on my tow rig (Full size 4x4 Van).

Here they are listed at bulkpart..
http://www.bulkpart.com/2/category/tru-cool-hd.html
If you can't fit the HD tru cool in there you can go with the normal (non HD) tru cools. It is still much better than stock.

~Mark

 

[Roadrunner777]

New fluid and filter. Towing on other than flat, do not use overdrive. That's the cheap answer. Next level would be to install a tranny fluid temp gauge, for which there are threads already mentioned.

You do have the factory towing package, and you are pulling a relatively light load. I would not get to worried if you do proper maintenance.

I do appreciate other posters and upgrades. I'm just not sure you need to do that kind of money and effort.