standard to auto swap

[RayLCC]

I've been offered a really good deal on a 97 xlt four door 4x4 Explorer with 30,000 original miles. I was looking for a third gen till I discovered there was almost no aftermarket parts. I shifted my focus then to a 2000 and while looking came across this 97. It's a compromise in two ways. First, I didn't want one this old, and second, I wanted an automatic tranny. The number of miles makes me consider it though. My question is: How hard would it be to swap the standard trans. for an auto if I chose to buy the truck and later wanted an auto? This isn't a deal breaker, since a standard isn't so bad in my book. (My sister won't ask to borrow it. Thats almost worth getting it on its own.) Thanks for any advise.

 

[hiridin]

if u don't mind me asking... what could u get it for? 30,000mi is really low miles for something of that age. old enough to not be too expensive but low enough miles to compete with most 2yr old vehicles u would buy used. the standard isn't bad. once u get used to it, it becomes second nature. and the fact that its a 4dr with a stick is cool. i know there out there but i've never seen one myself. can't really help u on the tranny swap thing. but for the right price i would jump all over that. standard or not.

 

[RayLCC]

Thanks, hiridin. The guy wants $7,600 for it. I think I'm gonna buy it. After mulling it over I think the standards not going to be such a big deal.

 

[hiridin]

$7600 sounds good. good luck with it

 

[monkeydude3]

Sounds like a deal... I have a 1994 XL 4.0L OHV with two wheel drive and 5 speed manual... 4 door! I've never considered the automatic upgrade, it's just too fun to have an explorer like this that's a stick, with no rust... if you do decide to go to automatic, why not throw in a B&M floor shifter, it would be pretty neat. i believe to go manual to auto you have to run a cooling line up front to it's own radiator, and the drive shaft(s) may have to change in terms of lengths. having 4X4 makes it more difficult. Can't think of anything else right now... s'damn tired.. Take care all

GEORGE

 

[glfredrick]

I'll swap you the parts if you want to trade... I have a 97 with the 5R55E setup with a fresh rebuild on the tranny.

We'd be talking computer, harness, tranny, torque converter, flex plate, crossmember, etc. for the manual parts that correspond.

Anyone know if the transfer case remains the same or is it different? (I have the selec-trac model.)

 

[RayLCC]

Sold to a buyer who could actually make up his mind in a reasonable amount of time. Oh well, I'll keep looking. By the way, does anyone know if the Atlas II transfer case will work with the stock 4x4 dash switch on a second-gen? Or would you have to install the shifters? Has anyone done an install on a second-gen? Thank you again for everyones advice. Its helped me narrow down exactly what I needed to look for.

 

[glfredrick]

The Atlas is a manual shift T-case only. It needs levers (2).