Swap 2006 5r55e into 1998 Explorer Sport

[$300ExSport]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here but I've used the forums in the past for info.

I got a 1998 Explorer Sport with 110k miles and a bad transmission(fluid had spewed out of the relief valve and previous continued to drive until empty and burned up the clutches). I bought it for $300 and decided the bands were worn because I could get it to move forward and reverse about 5mph at wide open throttle.

I went to my local junkyard and pulled a transmission out of a 2006 Ford Ranger which hit a tree(bark was wedged in the bumper). Paid $100+tax

I tried but couldn't rotate the engine to get the 2006 Ranger torque converter out because the whole front of the truck was smashed into the front of the 2.3L 4cyl and would not move. It's sad because the TQ would have been included free with transmission purchase...

Long story short, after flushing the lines out with air and installing the transmission using the original 1998 torque converter, the only movement I get is in "1" on the column shifter. No reverse, does not engage when in "D" or "2", just "1". There was one extra sensor on this new transmission that I did not have a plug for because it is an ISS Sensor which is supposedly only use to provide smoother operation of the transmission.

1. My fluid levels are fine, filled with Merc V as per specs.
2. It's definitely a 5r55e and went in without a hitch(after swapping bell housing)
3. I can peel out in first so it's definitely engaging but not shifting any higher than first.

If it helps anyone, I am attaching pictures of the vin stickers from both the doner vehicle and the destination vehicle.

Can somebody help me figure out why I only have drive in "1"?

 

[imp]

Do not have my VIN code info, away from home, but suspect the problem lies in the fact that you are dealing with 2 different transmission designs there.

Perhaps someone else can confirm.......imp

 

[$300ExSport]

Do not have my VIN code info, away from home, but suspect the problem lies in the fact that you are dealing with 2 different transmission designs there.

Perhaps someone else can confirm.......imp

Thanks imp, I know my research should have been more thorough about the differences between the 5r55e throughout the years but the ability to get a 2006 trans for $100 made me pull the trigger before measuring twice~

 

[$300ExSport]

No expert advice yet?

 

[swetrid]

Did alittle research and the difference is the use of VSS and TSS versus OSS and TSS. It wont shift if it can't read the sensors properly. It might be able to be done with some wiring or pcm changes.

 

[$300ExSport]

Did alittle research and the difference is the use of VSS and TSS versus OSS and TSS. It wont shift if it can't read the sensors properly. It might be able to be done with some wiring or pcm changes.

Forgive me as I am a little bit...quite a bit unsure of abbreviations but I believe you are talking about speed sensors. Did I do myself any good by keeping the original valve body with all the shift solenoids attached? Or should I have done myself a favor and kept the whole transmission instead of avoiding a ~$20 core charge?

I'll have you know I already swapped the 2006 shift lever with the one I kept off of the original transmission, no improvement except for being able to get it into drive by starting out in either first or second and then moving the shifter into "D" (starting out in "D" has absolutely no effect but going 2nd to "D" does for some reason).

I think I may have bought myself a mess unless I can figure out how to wire it correctly...

I'm ready to rig up some "paddle shifters" from a Lancer Evo to tell the transmission when to shift. It has a tach thank goodness..But that's only a last resort.

 

[ragajungle]

if you got a trans from a 2006 for $100 dollars you are doin pretty good you can easily sell it and get the right trans for you truck.


If you do do something with paddle shifters on the Ex you will be on my list of people I wanna be like

 

[$300ExSport]

if you got a trans from a 2006 for $100 dollars you are doin pretty good you can easily sell it and get the right trans for you truck.


If you do do something with paddle shifters on the Ex you will be on my list of people I wanna be like

That's probably what I'll end up doing.. "sigh"
Although if I can get such a new transmission working in an older Ex, EVEN WITH some alternative shifting mechanism(s), it would be pretty cool!

The reason I suggested paddle shifters is because my moms 2002 chrysler 300m has been rigged(by me) to shift up and down using the cars built-in "auto-stick" function through the buttons behind the steering wheel which became useless when the stock radio was replaced(The buttons previously served the purpose of changing the station/volume etc.). So I took it upon myself to make them useful again. The best part is, she doesn't even know they're there and therefore never uses them...but when I drive...

Anybody willing to doubt me will get a case of "I told you so" in the form of a youtube video proving that it actually does work~

 

[$300ExSport]

I just got an idea, to at least get reverse working, wouldn't I just need to give the reverse solenoid 12 volts? Say, from the reverse light power lead? Or am I not really onto anything?

Let me explain better, what if(to solve my problem of not having reverse) I have the reverse "R" solenoid receive the power it needs to engage reverse gear on my trans?

Someone with electrical knowledge enlighten me before I go try it right now even though it's freezing(compared to typical florida weather) right now...anyone?