95-98 Xploder Auto Tranny Questions

[Skydmark1]

I know I know, not another Tranny Questions thread, I'm sure one pops up every other day.

I've been doing alot of reading on here and still have more to do but here's a few questions I have that I'm hoping some of you can give me quick answers to.

First off, I'm looking at buying a 95-97 Explorer Sport, most of them I've looked at so far are 97's I'd actually prefer a stick but most (read all but 1) that I've found are auto's. I don't mind having an auto but I hear alot of troubles about these trannies so I want to get a few things straight.

I've read that people have had some luck rebuilding the VB and putting in shift kits and what not....I'd like to know aproximately what one would have to spend to accomplish this.

Then the other big question is, how big of a project is it? Does the Tranny need to come out? I'm a fairly competant mechanically inclined person, I rebuilt the motor on my Suzuki Dirt bike and I'm a CNC Machinist by trade so I'm up for some work.

Last thing - Most of what I've read for changing out VB's and such is for the 5r55e what about the 4r? same deal?

Thanks in advance for any help and I'll keep reading the diaries, and can't wait to get an explorer...will be within the next 3-4 weeks.

 

[Glacier991]

The cost to do the 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild as set forth in the Dairy is about $250. Including the EPC (but a deal for members of this site to try out a new design for free may save you a hundred dollars or so if it comes thru). You can easily do it.

The A4LD does have some shift kits available aftermarket, and you can read the A4LD VB Diary on those. As a rule the VB was not the problem in the A4LD that it became in the 5R55E (See the thread A4LD vs. 5R55E for a discussion of the differences).

 

[Skydmark1]

Ok now what about the 4R55E is it basically the same deal as the 5R55e?

 

[Glacier991]

Yes. Different sep plate and EPC, but otherwise consider them all the same for purposes of the VB rebuild. The TSB shows the part numbers for 4R55E as well.

(The 4R55E became the 5R55E by a trick of using the computer and causing 1st gear to be overdriven... tricky, and a problem child.)

 

[Skydmark1]

Thanks for the help glacier, I think if I drive an auto explorer that I like and the tranny is healthy at that point I won't worry about it being an auto...I feel I can handle the fix and it's not too pricey.

Thanks again