A4LD Compatibility Question

[LTCPipkin]

I've got a wrecked '94 2WD Ex with a recently rebuilt tranny (only 30K on rebuild). Got a great '94 4WD Ex, but with a bad tranny. Symptoms indicate the 1st/Reverse Servo has been crapping out, but for some odd reason all I can get now is Reverse, but not 1st. Both Ex's have 4L motors.

Anyway, will this 2WD tranny fit in the 4WD Explorer? Do I simply remove the "extension housing" on the 2WD tranny and bolt-on the 4WD transfer case? Are there any tips I should consider? Gaskets?

I've read as much as I could find here, but found nothing about this sort of compatibility question.

Thanks for your help,
Michael

 

[offroader_69_me]

Pretty sure output/main shaft has to be changed and extension housing

 

[BrooklynBay]

The output shaft has to be replaced which means that the entire transmission has to be taken apart.

 

[LTCPipkin]

BrooklynBay, when you say "completely tear down...to replace the output shaft", how do you define "completely"? This A4LD is a recent rebuild and is in great shape. I just need it to now fit it into a 4WD Ex. Is this a technically difficult job to replace this output shaft?

Back-Up Plan: I can't afford much expense at this time and was thinking about an alternative approach. Could I remove the 4WD tranny and transfer case and install the 2WD tranny with 2WD drive shaft...leaving the transfer case out and the front drive shaft out as well? I guess this is effectively changing a 4WD to a 2WD.

Thoughts?

 

[MrShorty]

BrooklynBay, when you say "completely tear down...to replace the output shaft", how do you define "completely"? This A4LD is a recent rebuild and is in great shape. I just need it to now fit it into a 4WD Ex. Is this a technically difficult job to replace this output shaft?

"Completely" means that the ouput shaft is the last part to come out during a teardown and the first part to go back in while rebuilding. So it's just like rebuilding the tranny, only you may not need to put any new parts in.

The main problem I see with putting the 2wd tranny in is that I wouldn't expect the 4wd rear driveshaft to be long enough. However, where you have the "donor" vehicle, you might be able to carry the driveshaft over as well. Assuming you leave the front end otherwise intact (just leaving the front driveshaft out), I can't think of anything that could go wrong like that, off the top of my head.

 

[snoranger]

Back-Up Plan: I can't afford much expense at this time and was thinking about an alternative approach. Could I remove the 4WD tranny and transfer case and install the 2WD tranny with 2WD drive shaft...leaving the transfer case out and the front drive shaft out as well? I guess this is effectively changing a 4WD to a 2WD.

Thoughts?

Yes, you can. AS long as they are both the same (2 door or 4 door).

 

[BrooklynBay]

Follow the A4LD rebuild sticky on the top of the transmission section. It's a lot of work, but it's been done before.