I had this originally posted in the Ranger section, and have been referred here for clarification, so here goes:

I have a 1995 Ranger XLT with a 3.0 V6 and a 4R44E trannny. From the beginning I got an occasional flashing O/D light and the tranny would "kick" when goiing in/out of first, and a little for second, but it was infrequent and occured only when tranny was warm (had been driven for awhile).

I took this on a recent 1,000 mile trip, 500 of which while towing 1.8k # trailer. It performed beautifully. Light only came on twice during entire trip.

My sister borrowed truck three days later. She got less than two miles before tranny stopped working (engine running, but no "go"). Fluid check shows fluid full and clean. I towed the entire time with OD off, and have a tranny cooler installed as well.

I was considering throwing in used tranny for interim while rebuilding this one (if possible). car-parts.com shows only 1995-1996 for compatibility, but another website I reseached shows the 4R44E was used from 1995 to 2000.

I have a lead on a low-mileage 97 tranny (3.0 V6, 4R44E). Can I use this? or are there significant differences I do not know about? I do know there is supposed to be one differece with the EPC sensor (green vs. red), but are there any other differences which would make it unusable?

Also, what should I be looking for as to what might have failed? Valve body gasket blown? Failed sensor? Failed torque converter or fluid pump?

Any input would really be helpful!