Just got a '94 Explorer

[cantornikolaos]

Great News! :exp:

I got myself a first-gen Explorer! It's a 1994 4x4 XLT "Preferred Package" model. The body is nearly immaculate! The interior is in pretty good shape, but there is the obligatory tearing of leather on the driver's seat. I want to get that fixed, but it is not an immediate concern. The seat is still firm and comfortable.

I got it for $400 with the understanding that it's a project car. The body is fantastic and the engine seems pretty solid. The Electronic 4x4 even works, and I've come a cross a bunch of them that don't. It has an impressively-tight turning radius. It has a sunroof. It has one of those little sub-woofers in the back that the nicer Explorers came with. The problem is the tranny leaks fluid. Sometimes, it shifts smoothly through all the gears, and sometimes, it won't go out of second.

I am a seminarian, and I'll be out of state for several months, with my new trophy parked here in the South. It's too bad I can't take it to NY with me. Part of why I bought it is because I've seen a 1994 Eddie Bauer 4x4 Explorer (stock) do some impressive things, like climb an ice-covered 11% grade.

I want to have a friend or family member take it to a shop when I have money to do the work. Then, I'll come pick it up in the Summer.

I am not sure if it just needs new seals for the transmission, or if it needs an overhaul. I am assuming I should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Is it too much trouble to install the 5-Speed automatic in place of the 4-Speed automatic? I went into this knowing that there is the possibility I might have to overhaul the transmission, or swap it, but I couldn't pass it up because the body is the best-looking Explorer I've seen in a while.

 

[trashtruck]

transmission work is not cheap, prepare yourself for what the shop will tell you. i don't know how mechanically inclined you are but you can save thousands of dollars either rebuilding or swapping yourself.

 

[Wolfie_85]

The only two transmissions in these were the 5 speed manual (M5OD) and the 4 speed auto (A4LD). No 5 speed autos. But I've heard of lots of people putting the manual in. I would say check fluid levels and kickdown cable. A shop could tell you if it's a solenoid or something else. It might not be major.

Sometimes dropping the pan, putting in a new filter and gasket, and topping it off after does wonders.

 

[arco777]

If easy fixes don't work, consider rebuilding the valve body with a shift correction kit. It isn't hard, doesn't take expensive tools or parts, just takes some time and patience. Very rewarding modification.

 

[Number4]

Why do you think there's a transmission issue? Is it not shifting? Or is it leaking? If you mentioned this above, I've over looked it.

 

[cantornikolaos]

Why do you think there's a transmission issue? Is it not shifting? Or is it leaking? If you mentioned this above, I've over looked it.

Hey Number4,

I'm sorry to see what looks like some front end damage on that 'Splorer.

The transmission leaks fluid, and sometimes doesn't shift properly. Sometimes, it shifts smoothly through all the gears, but sometimes, it won't go out of second. the guy told me that the front seal is leaking, and he would periodically add fluid to it.

I really hope that I can make a simple fix to the transmission, but I am afraid that it is within the realm of possibility that the truck might need some major and costly work. Still, I thought it was worth getting because it looks so fine! It seems to me that at some point in this particular trucks history, it sat around for a long time. Seals might have dried-up. The body looks amazing. the clearcoat is not faded or oxidised.

 

[Number4]

I was assaulted by a large buck. He must of had some red bull, because he went flying. Then ran away.

Some people think a certain object is an issue but have no reason. Sounds like yours is in fact symptomatic. Just wanted to clarify. My '94 is a stick, so I can't help much, never dealt with the auto trans in these.

1st gen is my favorite. Work out the trans and you should have a nice rig. At this point you may try some of those trans fix's in a bottle. Cheapest route until you figure out your next step.

 

[Josh P]

$750 for a standalone controller plus the cost of a 5r55e, you could swap in a 5 speed auto. The only thing I like about the A4LD is getting the vehicle cheap when someone else doesn't want to fix it.

 

[cantornikolaos]

I thought about some of those seal conditioner or leak fixer products. I'll see if I can try that. I am not on the long drive back to NY from SC, and I wish I had my Explorer with me. Maybe I can get a friend to try it. I have heard of people swapping the automatic for a 5-Speed manual. I would prefer a manual and suspect I would get slightly better gas mileage. Is it very hard to do that?

Is the A4LD a bad transmission? If I fix it and take care of it, will it be good to me?

 

[Josh P]

I thought about some of those seal conditioner or leak fixer products. I'll see if I can try that. I am not on the long drive back to NY from SC, and I wish I had my Explorer with me. Maybe I can get a friend to try it. I have heard of people swapping the automatic for a 5-Speed manual. I would prefer a manual and suspect I would get slightly better gas mileage. Is it very hard to do that?

Is the A4LD a bad transmission? If I fix it and take care of it, will it be good to me?

Manual swap is pretty easy to do. Some people have OK luck with the A4LD, I have not had such good luck with them. Last one that failed on me was 38 miles from home. I held the Rev limiter to limp home. I swapped in a 5 speed for less than the repair cost of the auto. With the auto I'd get 20-21 in my van with a manual it went up to 24-25 mpg.

 

[2stroke]

Realize in an explorer that gets 18 mpg with the auto, you might get 20 mpg with a manual. The A4LD has a pretty good lockup at speed. The A4LD is not a very good transmission. I don't know what it takes to make them last. Mine went 220k miles and still works, I just changed the fluid every 30k. The M5OD-R1 will undoubtedly last a lot longer, unless you like to slam gears.

 

[Number4]

Manual swap is best done with the purchase of a donor vehicle. And in '94, you had to request the manual as the auto was standard. I see far more autos out there.

Getting the manual in my '94 saved $700 on its purchase.

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

Stegalls Transmission will do the tranny for @ $1300 - that's what they quoted me.

 

[cantornikolaos]

Stegalls Transmission will do the tranny for @ $1300 - that's what they quoted me.

I'll give 'em a call. Thanks.

I'll also look into getting an M5OD swap. Is it safe to assume that one can be found easily-enough in a 4x4 Ranger or a Bronco II from the early 1990's?

 

[Number4]

Look for a 94 explorer, same set up as yours except for the manual transmission. I'd grab the computer, the transmission, the clutch master cylinder and possibly the driveline. As well as all the pedals that are required in the setup. The transmission mount for the manual is also a separate part number I don't know if the crossmember is the same or not. Depending on your center console you may need to swap those as well. For these reasons, I say get a 94 explorer manual transmission set up.

The reason for getting the computer, is because yours might throw a check engine light if it's no longer hooked up to the automatic transmission.

If I remember correctly, the Ford Explorer of that generation, is actually built on the Ranger chassis. If that's the case then the Ranger may be a suitable donor. You just want to make sure.

 

[cantornikolaos]

If my information is correct, the first two generations of the Explorer were on the same chassis as the Ranger. The 2door Explorer is the same chassis as the Bronco II. I even visited the factory in Louisville, KY and watched Explorers and Rangers rolling down the same assembly line. That was a long time ago. 1999 or 2000. I'm sure they didn't want cameras in there, but I sneaked one in and took a few pictures. I hope I can find them.

 

[2stroke]

They should have, but no. The Ranger was generally a lighter duty design. The transmissions are identical though. Swapping steering columns and ECU is up to you but not required. All you need is the tranny and petal assembly. I would buy new clutch plate, flywheel (or have the old one resurfaced), slave, and master.

 

[mr cribb]

You might have better luck finding a 2 door model in manual transmission, as a better majority of them were 5 speed.

To be honest and if you have the room, look for a complete truck to buy, most likely culprit of a cheap 91-94 manual trans explorer is a cracked head and/ or head gasket.

If you decide to go the 5 speed route, splurge for the pre-bled clutch master, motorcraft slave cylinder (you buy these from the dealer), and a good clutch. You don't need some goofy stage 3 racing clutch or whatever crap you find on fleabay... a good stock clutch is fine.

I personally have only put one clutch in an explorer, but I bought a "heavy duty" unit off of fleabay. I paid $75 for it in 2012.

For pricing purposes here's what to expect:

Pre-bled clutch master cylinder assembly $88 currently on Rock Auto

Motorcraft slave cyinder (these have less problems than the cheap chinese ones from the auto parts stores) $130 (current pricing in Oklahoma as of 11-2015)

Clutch (take your pick) $75 - $125

Additional items you will need to complete a swap over:

Wiring harness for manual transmission (might be a tough item to find)

Pedal assembly

shifter

computer (the manual computer is a bit different, and persnickety if not changed when swapping to a manual transmission)

The transmission crossmember might be different, I don't know for sure, but the trans mount is the same whether it is auto or stick, and I would install a new mount when changing over. I didn't during clutch replacement, and it was a bear to change out later.

If you are after aesthetics a manual trans steering column should be swapped over.

The shift indicator is held in by a couple screws on the gauge cluster, the manual cluster just has a black blank to screw in its place.

One final note
If you are using a used transmission, I would go through the shift rail bushings, and replace them. There is an update kit for these, and obviously much easier to do with the transmission not in the truck. Symptoms of worn shift rail bushings are hard shifting and fluid leakage.