What are the differences between the early and late AOD transmissions? My 90 Bronco 5.0FI with AOD transmission has the TV cable. I know the earlier AOD has the linkage system. Can the earlier trans be changed to a TV cable with little work? What year did they start using the cable on the AOD instead of the metal linkage? Any other differences in the early transmission? I'm still looking for a trans for my Bronco as well as a 90 F150 so I didn't know if I can use an earlier transmission or not.

 

I do not think you wou would have a AODE in a 90. Any AOD has a T.V. cable. Now wether or not it is mechanical or cable linkage I do not know (shift linkage). My 87 has a column shift with mechanical linkage, then there is the T.V. / Kickdown cable. I personally think it would be a matter of the correct brackets.
Al

 

I have the AOD in my 90 Bronco with the TV cable. I understand that the earlier AOD transmissions do not use the TV cable but use a mechanical linkage instead. My question is can I use the earlier transmission and convert it to the cable instead of the mechanical linkage or are there other differences as well. You are correct about the 90, it has an AOD not an AODE.

 

A 90 model with an AOD in it still, wow. I thought the E4OD was standard by 90. I was also under the impression that the AOD was TV actuated only and prior to that the non-overdrive C6 was employed. I just love finding these things out. Alas, since this is new info to me I can't help with your original question.

 

My 90 F150 with 5.0FI also has an AOD transmission while my 91 and 93 Bronco's both have the E4OD's. I've got way too many F bodies to support. I've been told that the Bronco's had AOD's as far back as 85 or 86 but didn't use the TV cable until fuel injection. I've not really got to see any of the older ones yet.

 

You could use an earlier transmission if you exchanged the tv linkages, but I don't think you would want to. The AOD's were sorta weak in the beginning, but got better as they got newer. If you're looking for a good used unit or a good core for rebuild, you want one out of a 92 or 93 van or pickup. They are the best ones from the factory. If you get a reman unit, they usually have updates like the improved rear lubrication circuit, and the wider 2" overdrive band. The AOD can be a very good transmission if you make the right upgrades. I have an uprated reman unit for my 86 Bronco, and I'll be adding an "A" overdrive servo and a shift kit to prolong it's life. Since even the 92/93 trucks/vans are "old" now, you'd do well to look for one of those! Just remember to check for the correct pan shape, and make sure there's no electronic overdrive cancel switch on the shifter.

 

My 91 and 93 Bronco's both have the E4OD while my 90 Bronco and 90 F150 (both trans need rebuilding) both have AOD's so I thought that 90 was about the last year the AOD was used. Did they use the AOD longer in the vans and pickups than they did in the Bronco's?

 

The E-series and F-series transitioned similarly but one or the other may have retained some components longer from year to year. Might check with the E-series forum guys. They'd know.