Is the Sport Trac transmission different from other Explorers?

[chiko]

I have a 2004 explorer sport trac that I recently acquired from a Mazda dealer.
Within weeks the O/D indicator started flashing and I detected that it will not go into Overdrive and the 1-2 shift is clunky. I failed to detect this during the test drive.

I took it in for the annual safety inspection at a tire shop/mechanic and he says he can get a good deal on a rebuilt transmission because its a Sport Trac that is less common and thus less in demand. I am incredulous that Ford would make a model of the platform that has a fundamental drive train difference for no good reason and additional cost and that this mechanic is not very reliable. Any experience that can clarify this? Its a regular 4.0 V6 XLT 4WD but otherwise not special. He estimated $2000 parts and labor.

I took it to the dealership previously and they advised that I had sticking valves in the tranny and that a rebuilt transmission was the only recommended fix. About $1200 plus labor.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Servo bore fix will run you a couple hours and 250 bucks. Google 5r55w servo bore fix for the site with the modded piston and a guide on the installation. A band adjustment after replacement should clean up the hard shift. That and a quick fluid and filter change.