Strongest transmission to replace a4ld

[Flashflood]

I heard the 4L ohv came with the strongest transmission version a4ld. I'm looking for possible a stronger transmission so I won't have to go replace a couple years down the line. Also since the 4L ohv is basically the better motor overall, then the sohc. So next thing is transmission.
1993 Ford Aerostar.

 

[Josh P]

5R55E internals in the A4LD would be the strongest version. The 4L has no problem eating an A4LD. They've left me walking several times.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The 1995 Aerostar came with the last updated version of the A4LD but it's still not a heavy duty version. I remember reading that A4LD stands for automatic four speed light duty.

 

[Flashflood]

So would a 4r44e or 55e be a better choice?

 

[410Fortune]

4r and 5r are basically the same transmission
It is the computer that creates a 5r from a 4r
The pcm of a 5r truck uses first gear and overdrive to create a false second gear

A 4r44e or 4r55e or 5r55e are essentially the same..although they did get better with time. There is no comparison between say a 95
4r55e vs a 2008 ford ranger 4.0
Sohc 5r55e…
Much stronger

So the a4ld is basically a c3 auto gone c4 auto then they added the aluminum overdrive drum and made it a 4 speed
The a4ld still has a vacuum modulator and kick down cable, whereas a 4r or 5r are all pcm controlled
Internally they are very similar
So the trick is to have your a4ld rebuilt by somebody who knows these inside and out and strengthen the internals greatly by using later model 4r and 5r internal goodies ..but retain the vacuum modulator and kick down cable controls. Basically a 5r inside an a4ld case
When done properly they are very impressive


Now to answer the question aside from
Getting a monster a4ld built… the strongest transmission you can “easily”
Put behind your 4.0 ohv is a
Built c4 3 speed
c5 bellhousing for a 4wd
Or
M5od-hd 5 speed manual

The Chevy 700r4 auto has also been done
Is that adapter still avail?

 

[ProjectAviator]

Thanks for the info, Jamie. Where would I get a proper bell housing. To put a C4 behind my 4.0.

I remember reading on here about putting a 700r4 behind the 4.0. With the van I don't need the AWD system.

Our 90 Aerostar that we brought brand new. Had about 138k on it when it was taken. Never had a problem with the transmission. We only towed once. With our current one only thing we will be towing, will be a 5x8 utility trailer with at the most 1600lbs.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Installing a C4 to a 4.0

I have a 95 Ranger with a 4.0 (building to race VORRA), I just picked up two C4s. One came with an attached bellhousing, but the bolt pattern is wrong for my 4.0. I'm pretty sure I need an early bronco II bellhousing. (2.8 or 2.9 w/ a c4 or c5) Can anyone tell me the specific years Bronco II's...

www.race-dezert.com

 

[410Fortune]

Yep the old 2.8l cologne v6 came in front of the c4 and has your bolt pattern. Mercury capri and early stang, 83-85 ranger and bii I believe
The bii and 4wd rangers also had a 4wd tailhousing on the c4, when this happens it is called the c5 auto (4wd version of the c4)

Can get a reverse manual valve body in a c4…
Makes it so you shift it manually slam through the gears = wicked fun
A c4 / c5 behind a carbed sohc engine makes for a great race truck for the desert

 

[Flashflood]

Yep the old 2.8l cologne v6 came in front of the c4 and has your bolt pattern. Mercury capri and early stang, 83-85 ranger and bii I believe
The bii and 4wd rangers also had a 4wd tailhousing on the c4, when this happens it is called the c5 auto (4wd version of the c4)

Can get a reverse manual valve body in a c4…
Makes it so you shift it manually slam through the gears = wicked fun
A c4 / c5 behind a carbed sohc engine makes for a great race truck for the desert

Well that kinda takes us back to square one as finding a older ranger / bii in the yard with a 2.8 is as hard as finding a aerostar in yards.

 

[410Fortune]

Pfffft
E-commerce baby

Let’s find one online

Pardon Our Interruption...

I would try to find a complete c5 auto

 

[Josh P]

Pfffft
E-commerce baby

Let’s find one online

Pardon Our Interruption...

I would try to find a complete c5 auto

It would be cool to find a 4wd version and retain the AWD.

 

[410Fortune]

Few things on this planet as cool as a 4wd van

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Few things on this planet as cool as a 4wd van

I love the 4wd Econolines & even the okd Delicas etc

 

[Josh P]

Few things on this planet as cool as a 4wd van

What makes it cooler is the Mustang II style suspension. That entire subframe could be unbolted and used on something else like converting an old F1 or F100 to 4 wheel drive.

 

[410Fortune]

I have a 01 E350 7.3 chateau edition with only 57k miles on it… the body and frame headed to the crusher… currently it’s nick name is “bondo wagon”’eventually I plan to find another van body and frame and possibly go 4wd…. Then I could sell my 7.3 excursion

 

[Josh P]

I have a 01 E350 7.3 chateau edition with only 57k miles on it… the body and frame headed to the crusher… currently it’s nick name is “bondo wagon”’eventually I plan to find another van body and frame and possibly go 4wd…. Then I could sell my 7.3 excursion

The ultimate Shaggin Wagon!

 

[rangerex7]

4r and 5r are basically the same transmission
It is the computer that creates a 5r from a 4r
The pcm of a 5r truck uses first gear and overdrive to create a false second gear

A 4r44e or 4r55e or 5r55e are essentially the same..although they did get better with time. There is no comparison between say a 95
4r55e vs a 2008 ford ranger 4.0
Sohc 5r55e…
Much stronger

So the a4ld is basically a c3 auto gone c4 auto then they added the aluminum overdrive drum and made it a 4 speed
The a4ld still has a vacuum modulator and kick down cable, whereas a 4r or 5r are all pcm controlled
Internally they are very similar
So the trick is to have your a4ld rebuilt by somebody who knows these inside and out and strengthen the internals greatly by using later model 4r and 5r internal goodies ..but retain the vacuum modulator and kick down cable controls. Basically a 5r inside an a4ld case
When done properly they are very impressive


Now to answer the question aside from
Getting a monster a4ld built… the strongest transmission you can “easily”
Put behind your 4.0 ohv is a
Built c4 3 speed
c5 bellhousing for a 4wd
Or
M5od-hd 5 speed manual

The Chevy 700r4 auto has also been done
Is that adapter still avail?

Will a C4 transmission work with a 4WD explorer? or do I need a C5

 

[410Fortune]

C5 is the bellhousing that fits the c4 transmission and bolts to the 2.8/2.9/4.0 bolt pattern

So yes you need a c5 bellhousing (and c5 tailhousing if you plan to go 4wd and keep a ranger/explorer 5 bolt transfer case
Once you have the correct flexplate stater and c5 bellhousing then you can build any c4 you wish and bolt it behind your cologne v6
Reverse manual valve body built c5… yes please

The 2.8l ranger and bronco ii from 83-85 had this transmission

I am not sure if any bellhousings from a merkur or
Mercury would work? I know the 2.8l came in a few
Vehicles

 

[rangerex7]

C5 is the bellhousing that fits the c4 transmission and bolts to the 2.8/2.9/4.0 bolt pattern

So yes you need a c5 bellhousing (and c5 tailhousing if you plan to go 4wd and keep a ranger/explorer 5 bolt transfer case
Once you have the correct flexplate stater and c5 bellhousing then you can build any c4 you wish and bolt it behind your cologne v6
Reverse manual valve body built c5… yes please

The 2.8l ranger and bronco ii from 83-85 had this transmission

I am not sure if any bellhousings from a merkur or
Mercury would work? I know the 2.8l came in a few
Vehicles

Dude you are saving my life, I've done so much research and found so much contradicting information on this swap.
So all i need for the swap is the c4 trans, c5 bellhousing, tailhousing, flexplate and TC and I'm good to go? I can handle fab work

 

[Josh P]

I am not sure if any bellhousings from a merkur or
Mercury would work? I know the 2.8l came in a few
Vehicles

Negative on the Merkur having the bellhousing. The XR4TI has a C3 auto or a weak ass T9 manual transmission. The Scorpio has the A4LD and the T9 manual was an option on a few sold. Another cheap source for the bellhousing and flexplate is from the 70s Capri or Mustang II. The 2.6 and 2.8 were offered with a C4 transmission.