trans swap help

[keeter57]

my 92 explorer 4x4 has the a4ld right? well it went out and i was wondering if all the auto trans with the a4ld are the same. i was told that there is something differant on them. also i was wondering what all types of transmissions would fit in my explorer manual or auto...and what year explorers will co inside with each other dealing the transmissons.

 

[MrShorty]

'85 to '87 A4LD's have 1 solenoid (TCC) in the valve body. '88-'94 A4LD's have 2 solenoids (TCC and 3-4).

2.8/2.9/4.0 share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. Other engines are different. As I understand it, the A4LD has a removeable bellhousing, so this may not be a major consideration.

4x4 and 4x2 transmissions have different output shafts and tailhousings. You can convert from 4x2 to 4x4, but it requires a complete teardown and replace the tailshaft (which, I'm guessing, is what you are trying to avoid).

Finally, over the years, as weaknesses became apparent (and as the 4.0 was introduced), internal upgrades were implemented.

For the easiest, most reliable used replacement, get an A4LD (4x4) from a 4.0. If you find one from an '88+ 2.9 that you know has been rebuilt with the 4.0 upgrades would also work (but it would seem pretty rare to have that much history on a used transmission). Any '88+ A4LD from a 2.9 will work, but it will be a weaker replecement unless it is rebuilt and upgraded.

That's about it for "plug and play" replacements .As far as other transmissions:

C3 was the precursor to the A4LD, and can be used -- recognizing that it is a 3 speed transmission without overdrive.

With expensive or custom built adapters, other transmissions can be used. Most common is the GM 700R4.

The M5OD is the most recommended manual transmission swap.

 

[keeter57]

the guy i talked to said that there are two dirrerant types of tranys in the 91 to 94 explorers...one having a manual shift auto then one having an electric shift auto is that true?

 

[albi1cnobi1]

He's probably talking about the transfer case. There's a manual shift and an electric shift. An auto tranny is an auto, all of the trannies involved have some sort of elrctrics in them(i.e TCC solenoid etc.)

 

[MrShorty]

As noted - electric shift/manual shift refers to the transfer case. I suppose there could be a question, if you have a manual shift transfer case, if all A4LD's would have the appropriate attachment points for the shift lever and/or linkage. If you have an electric shift t-case, then you have nothing to worry about.

I'm not familiar with the manual shift set up to say whether that would be present in all cases. So, I'll throw the question out to those who would know -- Do all A4LD's have the appropriate attachment points for the transfer case shift linkage?