Transmission Swap?

[Komrad]

Hello,
I have a 91 XLT. I have tried to google this info but I found nothing but switching from auto to manual trans, im sure there is a good reason why. But I am interested in swapping from my manual trasmission to an automatic transmission.

Would I be able to swap over the 5r55e? or would I only be able to swap over the the a4ld?

 

[arco777]

Welcome to the forum!

The 5R swap is possible, but it will take a lot of wiring including a whole second PCM from a 2nd gen. The conversion has been documented on this forum (do a search).

The A4LD can be swapped. Most people are trying to swap the other way because they don't like the A4LD or have bad luck with blown up ones. Personally I have had good luck with the A4LD. With valve body rebuild and upgrades, an auxiliary cooler, and knowing the trans limits (don't tow much), I believe the A4LD can be a very decent transmission. The hard part, especially for you, will be finding a good one to start with. Most A4LD transmissions are 20 years old by now and have been through at least one rebuild of dubious quality. It is possible to find low mileage ones though and ones that have been rebuilt right. A few months ago I saw one with 90k miles in a junkyard; the Explorer had been parked with cracked heads. So good A4LDs do exist, they're just hard to find.

What is your reason for wanting to swap, exactly?

The M5OD is a good transmission as well, arguably more durable than the A4LD and certainly easier to maintain. With regular fluid changes and replacing the shifter bushings taking the slop out of the shifter, they're a reliable trans if your hydraulics are in good shape. I am curious why you are wanting to swap the opposite direction of many first gen Explorer owners.

 

[Benjam]

And where are you located so we can swap transmissions??

Benjam

 

[haulin88]

sent a pm yesterday in case your interested trading tranny's...

 

[Maniak]

There are really 3 choices in automatic tranmissions..

The A4ld which is somewhat weak BUT if you keep it cool and don't abuse it, it should last a while. Once we started wheeling and towing ours were only lasting 80k miles.

5r55e is another option. This does require running dual computers.. One that runs the transmission and the stock one to run the engine. Here is the thread on that: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308447

Third option is a 700r4. This is the 60 degree version of the chevy 700r4 (from the 2.8 motor) and using adapters from Advanced Adapters you can put this transmission in a 1st gen (assuming they still make the adapters). Its a strong transmission but Total cost of the conversion will run you $2k-$2.5k. That insludes the cost of the transmission.

~Mark

 

[jd4242]

How about the c4/5?

 

[Maniak]

How about the c4/5?

I forgot about that one.. I haven't seen/heard of anyone doing that swap in many years.


The only person I know that had that was DannyBoy and it was a custom transmission and it had issues with fluid pickup and very steep angles (fore/aft).

and of course, most importantly, no OD which isn't good for a DD.

~Mark

 

[jd4242]

I forgot about that one.. I haven't seen/heard of anyone doing that swap in many years.


The only person I know that had that was DannyBoy and it was a custom transmission and it had issues with fluid pickup and very steep angles (fore/aft).

and of course, most importantly, no OD which isn't good for a DD.

~Mark

Yea the no OD seems to be the killer

 

[Komrad]

Thank you for all the replies everyone, been busy at work and have not had time to check the forums, but i did read the tut on how to fix windows motors and i now have two of mine working again just need to do the back two, thanks for posting that by the way. now to answer a few questions...

Welcome to the forum!

The 5R swap is possible, but it will take a lot of wiring including a whole second PCM from a 2nd gen. The conversion has been documented on this forum (do a search).

The A4LD can be swapped. Most people are trying to swap the other way because they don't like the A4LD or have bad luck with blown up ones. Personally I have had good luck with the A4LD. With valve body rebuild and upgrades, an auxiliary cooler, and knowing the trans limits (don't tow much), I believe the A4LD can be a very decent transmission. The hard part, especially for you, will be finding a good one to start with. Most A4LD transmissions are 20 years old by now and have been through at least one rebuild of dubious quality. It is possible to find low mileage ones though and ones that have been rebuilt right. A few months ago I saw one with 90k miles in a junkyard; the Explorer had been parked with cracked heads. So good A4LDs do exist, they're just hard to find.

What is your reason for wanting to swap, exactly?

The M5OD is a good transmission as well, arguably more durable than the A4LD and certainly easier to maintain. With regular fluid changes and replacing the shifter bushings taking the slop out of the shifter, they're a reliable trans if your hydraulics are in good shape. I am curious why you are wanting to swap the opposite direction of many first gen Explorer owners.

I thought about swapping to the A4LD since it was the one that came out of the 91's+, then I read everyone having problems with it. Where is a good place to look at the upgrades you were talking about for the A4LD? I dont do a whole lot of towing but i do tow the occasional boat to the lake, and other random stuff. There is nothing wrong with my M5OD, im just tired of always shifting gears in town and just want something i can cruise in, plus when i get on highways speed it sounds like it doesnt like getting up to 75 to keep up with traffic and things are going to start flying out from under the explorer lol.

So i started thinking about switching to automatic and started looking into the options and came across the A4LD and the 5R55E. I dont know if one is better then the other or if there both the same, but the reason i like the 5R55E is because of the 5speed over the 4 speed, but after reading a few of the post i need to way my options and see which one im interested in.

By the way Is one better then the other? Would i have to switch out drive shafts with either one?

maniak mentioned the chevy 700r4, how does that one hold up compared to the two ford ones? ill have to do some more research on that swap but right now im focusing on either of the two ford trannies, if i go A4LD would it just be the trans, ecu, and wiring harness, and floor shifter?

And where are you located so we can swap transmissions??

Benjam

Bryan, TX area

Haulin88, i will read your pm and reply back after i post this

 

[arco777]

I thought about swapping to the A4LD since it was the one that came out of the 91's+, then I read everyone having problems with it. Where is a good place to look at the upgrades you were talking about for the A4LD? I dont do a whole lot of towing but i do tow the occasional boat to the lake, and other random stuff. There is nothing wrong with my M5OD, im just tired of always shifting gears in town and just want something i can cruise in, plus when i get on highways speed it sounds like it doesnt like getting up to 75 to keep up with traffic and things are going to start flying out from under the explorer lol.

For the Sonnax parts, see their website for the complete list of A4LD upgrades. I have bought all my A4LD parts and upgrades through Transmission Parts USA and had real good luck.

Sonnax A4LD Parts Listing link
Transmission Parts USA link

For your highway speed issue, some of that is going to be related to the 4.0 not being a real powerful motor. Reliable and strong though. I would strongly urge you to check what gear ratio you have in your rear axle, and consider changing that if needed. It will make a huge difference going from 3.08 to 4.10 gears, for example. On my Explorer I swapped a complete junkyard axle to go from 3.27 gears to 3.73s, and got a limited slip and disc brakes in the deal (second gen Explorer axle). Cost me under $200 total.

You shouldn't have to change driveshafts with A4LD or 5R, especially if you have a 4WD model because the trans isn't going to move the transfer case.

As for the 700R4 aka 4L60, from what I understand the basic swap kit is made for a 2.8L V-6 application transmission, which you are responsible for upgrading to V8 specifications. Personally I don't want any GM in my Ford. Not to mention the adapters are not cheap!

 

[Maniak]

Personally I don't want any GM in my Ford. Not to mention the adapters are not cheap!

TTHHPPTT!! j/k I just use what works for my application..

We have the 700r4 from a chevy, the 10" aux fan (trans cooler) is from a Toyota Corolla (or geo metro), front shock mounts are from an f-250, Rear leaves are from f-150 and explorer and there are a few other parts that aren't Explorer or Ford..

Anywhoo.. Now that the 5455e is an option, I would consider that even more than a 700r4. The 700r4 is more "common" and more shops know how to build it but the 5 gears would be really nice to have.


Komrad,
It sounds like you said your RPMs are too "high" when on the freeway. Did I read that right? If so, changing to an a4ld won't affect that much. IIRC, the m5od is .79:1 when the a4ld is .75:1. Thats only a 5% difference in rpms.. If you want to lower your rpms on the freeway you need to change your gear ratio to a numerically lower ratio. However, once you do that you will probably hurt your acceleration. Of course, the torque multiplacation of the torque converter in an auto trans will help that. Heck, having a 5 speed already helps that more since the RPMs can stay in the powerband when with the a4ld you only have 4 gears and can't stay in the power. The 5r55e might be the best of both worlds.. You get 5 gears and torque multiplcation which can help your acceleration and still give you the overdrive.

~Mark

 

[Komrad]

For the Sonnax parts, see their website for the complete list of A4LD upgrades. I have bought all my A4LD parts and upgrades through Transmission Parts USA and had real good luck.

Sonnax A4LD Parts Listing link
Transmission Parts USA link

For your highway speed issue, some of that is going to be related to the 4.0 not being a real powerful motor. Reliable and strong though. I would strongly urge you to check what gear ratio you have in your rear axle, and consider changing that if needed. It will make a huge difference going from 3.08 to 4.10 gears, for example. On my Explorer I swapped a complete junkyard axle to go from 3.27 gears to 3.73s, and got a limited slip and disc brakes in the deal (second gen Explorer axle). Cost me under $200 total.

You shouldn't have to change driveshafts with A4LD or 5R, especially if you have a 4WD model because the trans isn't going to move the transfer case.

As for the 700R4 aka 4L60, from what I understand the basic swap kit is made for a 2.8L V-6 application transmission, which you are responsible for upgrading to V8 specifications. Personally I don't want any GM in my Ford. Not to mention the adapters are not cheap!

how do i find out what rear gears i have? i know my rear in has limited slip for sure, just not sure what the ratio is. but i dont want to loose my limited slip either if i find out how to check tonight ill repost my ratios.

**Edit**

I found this link from a good search

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287419

and i went out and looked, it says D4 so according to that post i have 3.73 gears with limited slip.

I forgot to mention, that i have a 2 wheel drive not 4 wheel drive, so idk if that messes with the drive shaft still.

Im wondering if i should just turn it into some kind of off road toy. and get me something else that can handle the highway speed a little better. because my explorer seems to be happy at about 60-65 mph and when the speed limit is 75-80 just seems like im burnning gas faster to get to work and its only a 15 minutes drive at the most on the highway.

 

[Blue91Ex]

if it is factory and limited slip, its 3.73, at least as far as i know thats the case with 1st gens.

 

[arco777]

if it is factory and limited slip, its 3.73, at least as far as i know thats the case with 1st gens.

Nope I have a factory 3.27 limited slip in my 94 2dr.

Here's a link to a better listing of axle codes: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

I forgot to mention, that i have a 2 wheel drive not 4 wheel drive, so idk if that messes with the drive shaft still.

Im wondering if i should just turn it into some kind of off road toy. and get me something else that can handle the highway speed a little better. because my explorer seems to be happy at about 60-65 mph and when the speed limit is 75-80 just seems like im burnning gas faster to get to work and its only a 15 minutes drive at the most on the highway.

Driveshafts are different between 2WD and 4WD I believe, but as long as you get the right length for your drive type it should interchange between transmissions.

Might want to do a general tune up; also check compression and other signs of a tired engine. Also check your throttle cable for slack. One of my Explorers is indeed happy at about 68mph, but that is with a slightly tired motor, 4 doors and all power equipment, and heavier tires. My 2-door Explorer has a stronger motor and no power equipment, not even AC, and will happily cruise at whatever speed you want up to 100. These trucks don't have slippery aerodynamics or an excess of power so they're not high speed cruisers, but you should be able to hold a highway speed without much effort. I commute 45 miles daily in my 4dr and with the cruise set at 68 just enjoy the ride.

The last 5-speed Explorer I had (93 2wd 2dr) didn't seem to have that much power, so perhaps there is something to the benefits of an auto trans in these trucks. But in any case you can always do some bolt on modifications to improve your power a bit. Throttle cable adjustment, throttle butterfly shaft modification (Spdrcr34's mod), exhaust such as the affordable Dynomax cat-back kit, improvements to the air intake (questionable gains, I've had varying results), aftermarket camshaft such as Comp Cams model 410, and further gear reduction using 4.10 gears.

 

[Maniak]

Nope I have a factory 3.27 limited slip in my 94 2dr.

Here's a link to a better listing of axle codes: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

Komrad,

What RPMs are you turning at 65 where it feels "happy"? According to my math, with 3.73 gears and stock sized tires you're turning about 2100 rpms at 65mph. At 75 mph you're turning 2500ish which while it is "in" the power band your going to be using more fuel.

If you were to go numerically lower in the gear ratio you would bring down your RPMs on the freeway BUT it will also affect your acceleration and how it feels at 65 mph. At 65 mph you would be out of the power band and would slow down if you even "saw" a hill.

BTW, 2wd does change your options.. A 700r4 "could" be done but you will need custom shafts made. AFAIK, you could still do the 5455e which in theory could help if you had a numerically lower gear ratio (your acceleration) but it won't help your highway rpms.. I don't know if you would need a new shaft for the 5r55e.

~Mark

 

[Maniak]

Nope I have a factory 3.27 limited slip in my 94 2dr.

Here's a link to a better listing of axle codes: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

I have never seen or heard of a 3.27 LS in an explorer and the link above doesn't show one either.. The only LS avail on the explorer (1st gen at least) is the d2 and d4 axle codes which are 3.73 and 4.10. While that doesn't mean it isn't possible, its not listed as an option.



Komrad,

What RPMs are you turning at 65 where it feels "happy"? According to my math, with 3.73 gears and stock sized tires you're turning about 2100 rpms at 65mph. At 75 mph you're turning 2500ish which while it is "in" the power band your going to be using more fuel.

If you were to go numerically lower in the gear ratio you would bring down your RPMs on the freeway BUT it will also affect your acceleration and how it feels at 65 mph. At 65 mph you would be out of the power band and would slow down if you even "saw" a hill.

BTW, 2wd does change your options.. A 700r4 "could" be done but you will need custom shafts made. AFAIK, you could still do the 5455e which in theory could help if you had a numerically lower gear ratio (your acceleration) but it won't help your highway rpms.. I don't know if you would need a new shaft for the 5r55e.

~Mark

 

[arco777]

I have never seen or heard of a 3.27 LS in an explorer and the link above doesn't show one either.. The only LS avail on the explorer (1st gen at least) is the d2 and d4 axle codes which are 3.73 and 4.10. While that doesn't mean it isn't possible, its not listed as an option.

My axle code is D1. I can take a picture of the door sticker and axle tag if desired.

See this link where it is listed - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309965

My truck does seem to be a bit unusual. 4WD 2-door without A/C and no options (found it in AK). An uncommon Dark Lapis Blue. The lighter weight makes it feel like a completely different truck than my 4dr and it loves to "drift" on command.

Back on topic, I believe a 5R55e should be the same case length, negating need for a custom driveshaft.

The 5R is pretty much just an updated version of the A4ld. Same case, same bell housing, same length, same mother-in-law. So the actual bolting it up and having it installed in a first gen is the easy part.

5R55E swap thread with how to <---- CHECK THIS OUT!

 

[Maniak]

My axle code is D1. I can take a picture of the door sticker and axle tag if desired.

See this link where it is listed - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309965

My truck does seem to be a bit unusual. 4WD 2-door without A/C and no options (found it in AK). An uncommon Dark Lapis Blue. The lighter weight makes it feel like a completely different truck than my 4dr and it loves to "drift" on command.

Back on topic, I believe a 5R55e should be the same case length, negating need for a custom driveshaft.


5R55E swap thread with how to <---- CHECK THIS OUT!

I was more worried about the connection at the end of the trans. Are they using the same style (flange/u-joint/slip yoke) and size of the connection.. I don't have the answer.. just tossing that out there since its already known that the 5r55e and a4ld are the same lengths.

As for the 3.27 LS.. that is an odd combo, but I have learned a long time ago.. Car manufacturers will do odd things and that books don't know everything and just because I've never seen it doesn't mean it can't exist.. and of course the ntrprize pages aren't the end all of info, but they do have lots of the good stuff.

~Mark