ford 4.0 trans failure? AA wants comments

[Paul Gagnon]

A couple of comments for Vic.

I'd like to see an adapter for the AOD/AODE/4R70W. While I think the AOD/AODE is a poor choice and the 4R70W is a great choice, physically they are identical and would only require one adapter. I'm sure that you are aware that the prefered 4R70W for this application would be the small block/3.8L bellhousing version.

In my opinion the T-5 is not up to the task and would result in many people left with an expensive adapter mated to a broken transmission. I think that an NP435 adapter would be very cool. Of course the NVG3550 adapter is also very high on my list.

 

[Mbrooks420]

What's the 4r70w come factory in? I assume it has o/d? In any case it's gotta be better than what we have. Why don't people like the aod/aode?

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by Mbrooks420
What's the 4r70w come factory in? I assume it has o/d? In any case it's gotta be better than what we have. Why don't people like the aod/aode?

The v8 explorer! hehe

They don't like the AOD because the gear ratios are not well suited to our 4.0 engine.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Oh I guess that makes sense! I hope they hurry up. My trans. has 35k on it so I'm starting to get worried.

 

[Majisto]

Guess my X ain't old enough to quality for this, but I have almost 74K miles on my 2k X Yeah it gets driven a LOT, and quite hard I might add. Sees 6K at least once a day No tranny problems whatsoever, not even a studder. I don't know what tranny I have (D Overdrive with button,2,1 so I guess/hope AOD?) but whatever it is, I like it

I can tell everyone here that GM transmissions are trash! I have a Buick sitting out beside my X collecting dust because GM's transmissions are a b*tch to fix...not to mention they just suck Take my advice, and stay away from anything GM. 110K miles, and the only thing that runs on that dang machine is the engine. No A/C, Trans, Front struts, Power Steering...

 

[Madrican]

well hell i join the rest of u then my trans died today a horrible death in the rain at a pepboys parking lot
so 2morrow i get new ..sigh got a good deal tho...i think so anyways......but if u had a better option i would buy right now !

 

[94ZebraRanger]

I have had a a4LD in an aerostar and had to have it rebuilt . I would love to replace the whimpy tranny in my X with a stronger one, AOD

Tim

 

[fordkrazy]

what happened?....has the project been trashed?....many people are looking to an easy solution the the weak a4ld and alike (im including myself in this one)
im sure the a4ld can be rebuilt to be strong...but it will require lots of very skilled labor and $$$!! an adaptor to mate a "stronger from the factory" unit would be great.

 

[Blake D]

Well.....

Is the project still in the works or what? Please update

 

[Mr_Evil]

Add me into that A4LD's are a peice of junk category. I had to rebuild mine due to a failed Modulator valve to the tune of $1025 and I drive my Explorer pretty hard especially when we have snow here in Amarillo. I think I was lucky tho since it didn't explode and waited a good 130k miles to do it. I've had my 4x4 rebuilt when my dad first brought it home (thank god he got the used car extended warranty). My friend has a '78 Jimmy 4x4 and he's had to rebuild his tranny twice in a 12 month period (a testament to crappy GM Trannies). I think he's a bit jealous of my Explorer because it pretty well owns his Jimmy even with that big 454. As soon as my other street truck project is done, it'll be time to turn my X into a nice 4x4 toy.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I just got my truck back from my second rebuild at 107k. $1,700 for this one. I wish there was another option than a inevitable third rebuild.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I have good news for all. I just found out yesterday that upon completion of truckhaven, I will be stopping by AA to drop off my Explorer so they can do all kinds of R&D. First order of business will be a 700-R4 conversion. Due to my schedule, they are going to have my truck from January to probably mid Aughust so I am sure we can expect other things besides the tranny swap, but I can officially say that the tranny swap is a go. I will keep everyone updated here as best I can but for starters they are looking to do a front and rear adapter to mate the 700R-4 to the 4.0L and the stock BW-1354 transfer case. Being that it is a 700-R4, I am sure there will be other options that are already available such as an addition of an Atlas II or other products as well.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'm out. Why the 700r4? I know as many people that have replaced 700r4 as the 4.0 trannies. No GM parts(especially ones that aren't that that very good) are going under my truck. Looks like it's time for a new vehicle when this trans has about 30k on it

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

The AODE bell housing was too large. The 700-R4 did have it's problems in it's earlier years, but now it is one of the stronger transmissions available, especially if built correctly. It is also possible to purchase one that is built correctly for less than a stock A4LD. 700-R4's were designed for v-8 applications from the beginning which make them stronger than the A4LD (C-3 w/ overdrive) which were designed for pintos.

 

[Jason_25]

Does this mean we can use the 4L60E too?

I agree that the earlier ones had problems, but the later model ones seem to be very strong. Much stronger than the A4LD family.

Just so you guys know, the 700R4 has a 3.06:1 first gear and a 1.63 2nd gear

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

It's the same thing, but the 4L60E is computer controlled so a seperate transmission controller wwill also be needed. Other than that it's identicle.

 

[Mbrooks420]

When did the 700r4 become acceptable?

but now it is one of the stronger transmissions available, especially if built correctly. It is also possible to purchase one that is built correctly for less than a stock A4LD.

What on them needs built up, and whats a ballpark on them? the bw 1354 and the auto 4wd (440 something) are the same bolt pattern right?

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

The 700-R4 became exceptable when the AODE bell housing proved to be too large and the people that were really interested and communicated with AA found that this was the most exceptable alternative for ease of install and adaptability. You can get a built 700-R4 from about 1300 to 1800 dollars, from what I have seen. I am not sure about the bolt patterns on the t-cases, but I would assume they are the same.

 

[Hotweels]

I have no doubt that a 700R4 can be built cheaper and better than a A4LD, Lets just lend our support to AA and get this built then argue about crossbreeding cheby and ford.
Keep in mind that if you would like a AOD all you have to do is swap in a 5.0

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

700r4

Is a damn good trans. and my neighbor builds them for drag cars to 600 hp.