Just a quick question for people here. You do realize that the AOD/AODE does not have manual control of all 4 gears, correct????
It only has 1, D, OD.
Also, if you are going to use an AOD, you will want to upgrade it to a 1-piece main shaft instead of the existing 2-piece unit....... this is the weak point.
As for the AODE (a better unit than the AOD due to more use of torrington bearings over thrust washers), you would need to have a stand alone computer programmed to run it...... or have your computers custom programmed. Otherwise you are going to get a check engine light constantly.
Building a bulletproof A4LD is one of my next projects (when I have the time). It can be done, as they are used in off-road race trucks all the time. This is much harder on them....... and they are running behind upwards of 400hp doing this. Of course, there are alot of internal upgrades (such as welded planetary cages and so on).
One of the biggest problems with rebuilds is that there are some parts that you just can't cheap out on in these trannies. You replace the pump with a NEW Ford pump, not a rebuilt unit. The rebuilt unit will fail prematurely. You ALWAYS replace the forward one-way clutch..... no matter how good it looks, or it will fail soon afterward. You do not go with a factory converter, you buy an upgraded unit with the better lock-up clutch and brazed fins. There are some other things also, but these are the biggies.
Anyway, this will be interesting to watch. Haven't really gotten into rebuilding trannies yet, but there is a market.... and we are tired of getting crap trannies from rebuild shops (for our auto repair business).
Good luck to all.
)
