My 3 Explorers

[imp]

'96 XLT Automatic, '99 XLS Manual Trans., now '04 XLT Auto (5R55S). '96 transmission went blinky in less than 1 year, 131,000 miles. I plugged in the appropriate new solenoid, no dice, so yanked the box out of the truck, tore it down. Several thrust bearings, needle-type were disintegrated; this allowed parts to move far enough that oil pressure feed holes in the shaft misaligned with their counterparts. So, put in a Ford Reman, $2100. Worked well until we traded it for the '99 at 200,000 on the clock. BUT, the 99 was 2WD, got it stuck in 5" of snow this Feb., started looking for a nice 4WD, but preferably not AWD. Bought the '04 with 94,000 mi. on it, beautiful-running vehicle as well as looking good too, 3,000 miles later, TC clutch not engaging.

Reading these threads herein, it sounds like too many Auto. Trans. failures are happening; am I wrong?

I grew up working on Ford cast-iron Autos, Cruise-O-Matic, FMX, etc. It looked to me like the internals of the '96 trans. were 1/2 the size of the old-world stuff. Sure, there have been technological advances, but busting small parts still remains easier than busting bigger ones.

One place advertises in a Mustang Magazine a 5R55S they sell good for 800 HP; (they do not offer it for Explorer). What do you guys think about today's Auto. Trans.? Worth it to retrofit my '04 with a big M5OD manual? imp