Transmission Swap/Replacement Question

[CrumpledWastebasket]

Hey guys. I have a 2005 Sport Trac with 113k miles on it, and am having the same issue that everyone has around this mileage - the transmission is going out.

The issues with these transmissions is, among other things, an issue with the housing. I have seen people that have made fix-kits for the housing that they claim fix some of this transmissions current issues, however, most of those kits still only last for about 100,000 miles before dying again.

Most of the repairs shops/dealers I have contacted say that the repair/replacement will be $3,000 or $4,000, including labor and a brand new transmission. However, I can't justify spending the $4,000, knowing that I'll have to do it again in 100,000 miles. So that leads me to my current question...

Is it possible/reasonable to put a *different* transmission in these trucks? For example, I know a lot of Sport Trac parts are exchangeable with Ranger parts. Could I use some sort of adapter to install a Ranger transmission in this truck? Or, even better, an F150 transmission?

Thanks for any help,
Ty

 

[koda2000]

I do not believe there is any other transmission that fits the 4.0L SOHC engine other than the 5r55 (other than a manual trans).

I have an '01 ST I bought as a non-runner 2 years ago. It currently has an abused, neglected 194,000 miles on it. Even after having replaced the trans filter and 5 qts of black fluid in the trans the fluid is still quite black. It works and shifts fine in the forward gears, but makes horrible noise if I stress it in reverse (I assume the noise is coming from the transmission). I've asked the forum what that noise might be, but no one has offered any ideas. I just try to be gentle when reversing and as long as I do that it reverses okay. I'm not about to put major money into this truck, as it also has timing chain issues. I plan to just use it locally and drive it until it blows up. 2+ years and 10,000 miles so far and it's still usable.