Alright guys, I haven't been here long but i've learned alot here in a short time. This site is great and I can tell this site is also gonna cost me Large Coin. I am about to order one of the Transgo shift kits for my '99 Mazda B4000. I just want to know if My truck has the 5r55e tranny and how can i tell(besides being auto ) It is an ext. cab 2 wheel drive. Or does that Transgo kit fit the 4r44e and the 5r55e? Also how long should a Tranny shop charge for the install(roughly)?

 

i got a 99 b4000 too, where do you get these shift kits and what do they do? is it an electronic shift kit?

 

I'm getting mine from www.performanceunlimited.com , it's in london. If you are from the states you can get it from www.txchange.com. No it isn't electronic, you have to drop the pan to put it in.

 

All automatic 4.0L Rangers after 1997 have the 5R55E Tranny, so your '99 B4000s probably have it.

 

The kit is the same for the 4r or the 5r, so it doesn't matter which you have. I have installed this, and MAN, it is awesome! I would suggest to only install the outer spring. Both springs are a little too much for daily driving. Also, if you do this yourself a few things you need to know:

1) Get a shop manual. There are multiple length bolts in the lower valve body, and you can damage the tranny if you install the wrong bolt in the wrong hole. Also, there are little check ***** through the valve body, you have to be careful to reinstall them in their correct place. Plus a picture is worth a thousand words.

2) Leave yourself plenty of time to do this install. Many people told me it was an 1.5 hour to 2 hour job. Give yourself 2 days. Drop the pan and let all the fluid drain the night before, then work on it the next day. Much less of a mess.

3) You will need a valve body gasket (not included with the kit.)

4) While you have the pan off, install a drain plug.

If I had known all this prior to my install, it probably would have only taken a couple of hours, and worked the first time. This can be done by any do it yourselfer, just take your time and do it right.

Matt

 

Matt, great post, full of helpful tips on the install. I'm curious, what does the kit do, exactly? In what way did it change your shifts? And why do you suggest only the outer spring?

 

It makes the shifts much firmer.. with less slippage.
using both is sorta like "neck breaking shifts"


Rand

 

That was exactly the detailed reply i was looking for!!! Man you've got me very excited to get this kit put in. I'm ordering it first thing in the morning. I really think that this is what my truck needs(since putting in the Nitrous) I would have bought a manual tranny but the Wife needs an auto. Thanks again for that well detailed explanation....

 

Ya, everyone who has installed this loved it.
Ford would do this from the factory,except to uneducated people smooth shifts seem to be easier on the truck. The opposite is true. The faster the shift the less wear/heat in the transmission.
Of course if its TOO fast you can damage u-joints and stuff.(driveline shock)

Rand

 

I hear you on that. And the guys who work on trannies for a living say the same thing.

I would rather have a firm shift over a soft shift any day.

 

As Rand stated, it firms up the shifts. There are only a few parts that are replaced, but the combination of those raises the hydraulic pressure inside the tranny. This causes the shifts to occur faster, with less slipping. According to Trans-Go, this kit actually extends the life of your tranny because it reduces the wear and heat build-up inside.

I had both springs installed and ocassionaly it shifted so hard, it rattled the cab. Would definately have broken something in the driveline had I left it in. But, would probably be perfect for on the track drag racing.

Matt

 

Here's an interesting link to a page on installing the Trans Go tranny kit in the 4R/5R55E:

http://groups.msn.com/RangerBill/transgo.msnw

 

Thanks for that page, I've already been studying that page very closely.......

 

All right Guys, picked up the shift kit today. It's going in on Friday hopefully. I've decided to pay a Tranny shop to install it, just for peace of mind. And less mess. I will let everyone know how i make out(if anyone cares!).

 

I have really been considering getting one myself, but I think I will get an chip first. Then the shift kit if im not happy with it.

Rand