I have an 86 Ranger 4x4 2.9 v6 with the A4ld. I was wandering if there was a better tranny for off-road use that will bolt directly in, in place of the a4ld. I have heard these aren't the greatest and when i had the fluid changed a couple weeks ago there was alot of metal in it. I would like to stay with an automatic. Thanks in advance for any info.

Scott

 

for 4x4 i dont know of any that will bolt in. you might wanna look into a c4 but i dont think they have those with the output flange to bolt to the transfer case. im not sure about that one but ive never heard anything about that and im pretty sure the ranger would be like my f150 and use a transfer case that bolts to the tranny instead of a small shaft between the two. hope that helps

 

I beleive that the 3.0L engine uses the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 2.9L. Assuming that they aren't all computer controlled transmissions, you may want to look to see if there's anything available there. I'm sure if you looked around enough you could probably find an extension housing and output shaft for a C4 that was compatable with a transfer case. Finding a bellhousing might be the tricky part.

 

im not so sure if the 3.0 has the same bolt pattern, but i know the 4.0 does because the 2.9 is literally a destroked 4.0 same exact engine.

 

Someone told me that I could have the a4ld rebuilt and just have whoever does it do it with off-roading in mind, plus add a tranny cooler. I have also heard a common upgrade would be the c4 or c5 but did not get if they would bolt right in. Just trying to get some ideas and trying to find the least expensive way to do it but still get something that is very reliable. Thanks for the info.

 

No, the 3.0 and 2.9 have a different bolt pattern. The 2.9 shares its pattern with the 2.6, 2.8, and 4.0 only. The 4.0 does use a stronger version of the A4ld, and it might be a good idea to swap one of those in, say from about a '91-'93 (I'm not sure of the actual year break, but someone will be along to let us know) after that they were controlled by the computer and might be a bit more difficult to swap into an earlier truck.
Yes, you could have the tranny you have now rebuilt, and beefed up to 4.0 specs. That's the way my local trans shop does all A4ld's, but you should know that it's not a cheap tranny to rebuild-about 1200 to 1800 bucks usually. I have seen people advertise that they can do it for 800 or so, however. But, if you want to stay with an auto with O/D, it's your only option. The C3, C4, and C5 were only 3-speed autos. Good luck, -TD

 

Don't really need to stick with O/D. I'm just trying to get an idea of how much I need to save up. Kinda new to this and figured either a rebuild or some other tranny that would bolt right in would be the cheaper way to go. I figured something that could take the place of the current tranny would be cheaper than putting something in that needed adapters and new linkage and stuff like that. Thanks again for everyones help.

 

Well, the earlier Rangers did come with autos other than the A4ld, behind the 2.8 so it should bolt up on that end, but again I'm not sure of the year split there and I don't have my books handy to look it up. I'm also not sure if they would bolt up to the T-case for the A4ld. But it is a distinct possibilty so don't despair just yet! -TD

 

It would be nice to keep the same transfer case. A family friend owns a transmission shop and he said if I got a new tranny to get one with a transfer case that came with it. He doesn't work on Ford's that much so he wasn't sure what would be best to change out to either.

 

honestly you would probbly be best to just rebuild the one you have with a nice aftermarket kit desinged for high performance. the big thing to look for is kits desinged for off roading. the big difference will be in the clutch packs themselfs. the other thing that would help out on longevity of it is a good firm shift kit. it would lock the clutches together faster (reduces heat) and raise the fluid pressure (less chance of slippage with eqautes to heat and worn clutches) a high qaulity trans cooler alone will help tremendously. for off roading i would get one that i could mount a fan and thermo switch on to help control the temps. also install a trans temp gauge so you can keep it from overheating and frying. you can also find a fluid witch has different friction moddifiers to help combat slipping. you would probly have to expierement with the fluid and just find the one that makes it shift harder. not sling you around but shift firmer and more defined. that would also help out with the heat. also another way to protect your investment is to go to a trans shop and tell them you want a after market filter that installs in the cooler line and is magnetic. you will not belive the stuff they can grab without causing a loss in pressure. if you want to go hardcore then you can do a mod i helped a freind with witch was to get a few pressure gauges (100 - 400 psi atleast) and lable them for the hydrolic circut that they are tapped into. there are already pressure check ports in the trans so it's a matter of running the tube. keep in mind this would also mean more possibilities for leaks and if one of them busted it would spew very very high pressure fluid and empty the trans and torque converter in a matter of seconds. but it would be obvius if there was a problem before any damage resulted. and if you don't already have one a tach is the best in the world for detectiong slippage next to the pitch of the engine. the pressure gauges are overkill but still pretty handy if you have an issue for the simple fact that when you tear it out you would know where to start your hunt for problems. if you decide to build it yourself then just remember it has to be absalutly perfect when it comes to cleaning it out. as far as swapping another auto in go with an old heavy duty 3 speed auto and just swap out the xfer and drive shaft (one the lenths will prolly be diff and the cv joint ones suck). good luck

 

I know I'm really going to catch it from you guys, but hear me out first. Advance Adapters makes an adapter to bolt a 60 degree 700R4 behind a 2.9 or 4.0 engine. The sixty degree 700R4 is very cheap and plentiful, available in S10's and camaro's, and is still being made today. They will withstand a great deal of abuse, especially after it has been gone into and beefed up just a little. Stay away from 87 and down 700's, they were really bad before that point. Stay away from 93 and up, they're good, but they are electronic shift. There are literally thousands of aftermarket high performance pieces available for the 700's, mostly because they are used behind V8 trucks, Camaros and Corvettes. As long as you don't get over 450-500 hp out of your 2.9, you'll have good service from it. I don't believe they could ever build enough aftermarket pieces to beef up an A4LD, I've seen too many front half overdrive planetary explosions to think very much of them.
I'm not a novice or shadetree guy, I own a very busy auto and truck performance and fabrication shop, and drove my Ford van to and from work at several GM dealers for 15 years before opening my own shop. I'm not a zealot for anyone, I believe everybody builds good and bad, and I'm not afraid to "crossbreed" a vehicle to make it do what I want it to do. I have a 700R4 behind my 460 in my 77 F150, and I'm quite happy with it.

 

Hmm, intersting concept...but is there an adapter to mate it to the Ford transfer case at the other end, or is it just available for a 2wd swap? Or would you have to use an S10 T-case with it? -TD

 

So if I decide to rebuild where is a good place to look for the rebuild kit with off-roading in mind.

 

You're right, the 4.0, not the 3.0, that is in the same family as the 2.9L.

 

you could order off of the net or go to some local speed shops. when i built the auto in our accord i whent with a high performance kit. basically there whas more surface area on the clutches. they were wider with different fluid displacement groves cut into the materiel. it came with a few other easy upgrades to help raise fluid pressure and to stiffen the shift a bit. you just have to look around and see what you can find. the a4ld isn't as bad as it sounds but it takes upgrades to make it good. if the planetarys worry you and you do whant to rebuild it then you can always find a heavy duty set :P

and yes they are available. i don't remember from where but you can get them.