A4LD question

[hayymatt]

Will an A4LD out of an 87 ranger with a 2.9 fit a 92 explorer with a 4.0. what would it take to make it fit if possible?

 

[hayymatt]

can you swap an A4LD out of a 87 ranger with a 2.9 into an93 explorer with the 4.0 and if so what do you have to do? thanks

 

[MrShorty]

Yes you can. Two main issues you'll run into:

1) The '93 A4LD has two solenoids in the valve body: one for the torque converter clutch and one for the 3-4 shift. The '87 A4LD only has one solenoid in the valve body for the TCC. You'll need to account for the electrical difference. From what I understand, you can simply swap the valve body from the '93 A4LD into the '87 A4LD. The only real problem I see with this is if the reason you are replacing trannies is because of a problem in the '93 valve body.

2) You should know that the 4.0 A4LD's were built stronger internally to handle the extra torque of the 4.0. Unless you know that the 2.9 A4LD has been rebuilt to 4.0 specs, you are taking a risk as to how long this used A4LD will last behind your 4.0. At this point, you would need to do a cost/benefit type analysis weighing the cost of installing the used transmission vs. how reliable you need and/or how long you need/want it to last.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It would fit, but it does not have the correct valve body or any other updates. The 87 has only one TCC solenoid in the valve body. The 88-up models have a TCC, and 3-4 shift (overdrive) solenoid. The check ball configuration is different for both engines.

 

[bakerdude]

same exact scenario

just completed installing a tranny out of an 87 ranger and low and behold my 91 wiring would not snap onto the connection in front of the neutral safety switch...problem now is can i modify the connection and still use the tranny

 

[BrooklynBay]

You have to swap the valve body, and the 3 prong connector from the 91 onto the 87 transmission.

 

[bakerdude]

success...no real effort required...pulled up both wiring diagrams for the 91 and the 87...wired in the converter clutch over ride as pre drawings and it works...over drive and all..no need to change the valve body

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! I'm just trying to figure this out. So you have a 91 which requires a TCC, and overdrive solenoid, and only wired the TCC which is on an 87 transmission? What did you do about the overdrive solenoid's wiring in the 91?

 

[bakerdude]

yuppers...connected the purple/yellow wire on the 91 to the existing 2 terminal connection on the 87 tranny...and all works well...as far as i can tell by what i read the 3-4 solenoid was done by internal hydraulics in the 87 versus the solenoid operated 88 and newer.. so no signal required...

 

[BrooklynBay]

You don't get a check engine light?

 

[bakerdude]

nope...drove for about 45 minutes today.. in town and highway..no lights.. i guess the input from the 3/4 is not a required issue

 

[BrooklynBay]

The EEC-IV system probably doesn't sense as much as the newer OBD-II systems.