Gearbox differences

[chrisExplorer]

A couple of days ago I had a phone call from the garage where my explorer is currently having a gearbox transplant to say that they couldnt fit my 'new' gearbox due to being fully electronic and the original being partialy electronic.....

How true is this - its all irelivent anyway as I gave them the go ahead to fully recon the original after talking it over with the wife and the bank (of mam&dad) The garage has a good name and are experts in the autobox field but I cant help getting that sinking feeling everytime I think of the bill at the end of it and thinking what if!.

Anyway thats all my other plans on hold for a little while anyway!

Cheers
Chris

 

[kevin p]

Hi Chris, as far as I know, all 97 and on UK Explorers were fitted with a 5R55E box. I'm just about to fit a low mileage one in mine thats got a label on it that says;

771 EXPLORER
MY97 ACA 4.0.

Hope this helps.

Kev.

 

[DuncanOfEngland]

Chris,

I think that there is some confusion over what transmission is actually fitted to the Explorers in this country, because most of the available information is or USA origin, for USA spec Explorers.

All of the Explorers sold in the UK from 1997-2001 had the same transmission, which is the the 4R55E, which uses electronic valve shifting to simulate 5 forward gears. The later 2000 and later Explorers, manufactured in USA but not sold over here had the 5R55E transmission.

There is a difference in the transfer boxes in UK Explorers, which changed on the facelift models, with the deletion of the rear speed sensor.

I think that your garage is either mis-informed or is telling you porkies. It is fairly straighforward for a transmission specialist to rebuild a Ford Explorer transmission, but the cost can be high if it requires anything other than just a rebuild kit.

My transmission rebuilder takes all of this in their stride.

Duncan

 

[chrisExplorer]

Hi Duncan,
Well the garage were sure that the box that came out was different to the box they were going to put in, and that even though it would fit the wiring harnessess wouldnt match up due to different sensors. I have given the go -ahead for a full recon of my original box and torque convertor which including vat, removal and refitting comes to an eye watering £1880.00. The car is worth no where near that sort of money however it is a known quantity get the other bits and pieces done on it (which I can do) and its a good vehicle (I HOPE)....

 

[fcat]

Ouch!!
I first read it as £188 and thought thats a great deal but £1880!!!!! someones taking some serious piss there.

Buy this for £1200 and save yourself £600!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Explorer...ewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item335bd228fd

 

[chrisExplorer]

I agree it is a silly amount of money but that seems the going rate around here the other auto gearbox man wanted 1400 to recon the box plus another 400 to take it out and put it back. I'm willing to try lots of things on the car but this job is way out of my league. I also agree I could buy another car for the same or similar money but I wouldnt know what I was getting whereas with mine I know the engine and body etc is good so once this is done thats it apart from the new discs and pads.

I realise I am talking myself into this and have no real choice now as the go ahead has been given to do the work and it will be ready early next week. I now also feel that given a shove they may well have made my replacement box fit and work but that may well be knackered aswell!..

Ho Hum its only money after all!!!!

anyone led me a fiver!!!!

 

[chrisquelch]

there is one type of gearbox fitted to all uk 4ltr sohc explorers1997/2000 but early ones had a overdrive drum speed sensor (at front ) and a out put shaft speed sensor(at the rear) later ones only have the rear sensors. i have tryed to find the date they stoped the front sensor i have a 97 with 2 sensors and a 99 with just the one so would think change was in 98.
i have been told you can fit the early one into a late car but not a late into early car . but havent tryed so cant confirm this.
cheers chris

 

[chrisExplorer]

Hmmm, that rings a bell because he did say that he could overcome one problem by swapping transfer cases but then there was another 1 or 2 sensors on the top of the box that he couldnt do anything about... Mine is a S plate and I think its a early facelift so mine is arround the change over period...

Oh Well, tis a done deal now!

Chris

 

[kevin p]

They stopped doing the front sensor in about '98.
97 year boxes are advised to disconnect the front sensor and solder the wires together because the sensor can give incorrect information. The sensor just stays where it is. Later models didn't have it fitted in production.

 

[chrisExplorer]

WHOOOOHOOOOO I have my car back, cost a shed load of money but well worth it.

 

[kevin p]

Glad all is well Chris.

Seeing as you have a 'new' box fitted, can you help me with something.

If you are doing 70mph, on the flat, and you lift off the gas for just a moment, then re apply the throttle, does it stay in fifth?

Thanks, Kev.

 

[chrisExplorer]

Hi Kev,
When Im next out in it tomorrow I will check that out and let you know.

Chris

PS... any one wanna buy a spare gearbox and transfercase!!!!

 

[chrisExplorer]

Hi Kev,
I have done exactly that and from what I can tell my looking at the rev counter (Cos I cant feel any changes at all) It seems to drop a gear momenterly

Hope that helps
Chris

 

[kevin p]

Thats great Chris. Thanks very much.

I've been trying to find out for years what a good box does.

I'm gonna have to try fitting this second hand box I've got.

For years mine drops down to 4th and torque convertor unlocks then takes ages, and a very gentle throttle, to coax it back up to 5th.

Thanks again

Kev.

 

[chrisExplorer]

No problem at all. Like I say under normal driving I can no longer feel any changes at all and under heavy acceleration I can feel very little, everything seems so smooth, Its a shame I need new brakes and new shocks to bring it up to the standard of the gearbox now! it never ends spending money!!!!