Could someone please inform this novice about my 4R44/55E transmission - is it heavy duty? This `99 Ranger 4x4 also lists an "87" axle code - I'm guessing that is pretty much a standard run-of-the-mill axle. I was hoping to know the gearing of this set-up. I understand not to change diff. oils (or even check `em) until 100,000 miles, but would like to have synth. oil when the time comes. O's manual has somewhat confusing\conflicting info on weights. Did change my tranfer case oil with QS 4x4 synth. "blend" for Mercon\Mercon V at about 45,000 - thinking to change to Valvoline "Max-Life" next time at about 70,000. Any light shed would truly be appreciated.

 

Not sure about tranny, but your axle code "87" is a 8.8 conventol rear axla with 4.10 gears

 

Hey I appreciate the heads-up on the "87" axle code. I understand the 9" Ford rear is "lengendary" - so an 8.8 must not be too bad huh? And isn't 4:10 gearing pretty darn beefy? Good for low-end torque? Important for me to know as I haul a good bit of fire wood (excessive loads) here on the farm. As far as the trans. - a service brochure I picked up at a Ford dealer said the 4R44E and the 5R55E didn't need service until 150,000 under "normal" operating conditions. I'll still do it again at 75 - 100,000. Thanks for the input\info.

 

I did some morre research and found a aricle that explains the tranny's in rangers. From what I read the 4r44 and 4r55e replaced the a4ol tranny in rangers in 1995. the 4r44 s behind 4 bangers and the 4r55e is heavier and behind v-6.

4.10's are good. I have a 87 F150 4x4 with 3.08's and I am changing to 3.73 0r 4.10. I use the truck around the farm all the time an the 3.08 suck.
mike

 

Mike-buddy, thanks for the re-assurance on the 4.10 rear-end , I guess I feel a little better knowing that (if that is what the 87 axle code means), but the more I look into my trans. the more confused I seem to get. I'm getting so much conflicting info. my head is starting to spin ( not good as I just had my cervical (neck) spine operated on), seriously though I really appreciate the website you referred me to but it only seems to go up to 1997 models. As briefly as possible here's my situation : `99 3.0 4x4 Ranger (the love of my life!) A printout from a Ford dealer (called an "OASIS RESULT") with my VIN, states - 4R44/55E 4 SPD Auto (knew it was a 4 speed auto. as the shifter has 1-2-D and an overdrive button on the end of the shift-stalk), This "Oasis Result" also says "Axle code" 87 (which I'm hoping will compensate if my trans. is not as HD as I thought (or HOPED) it was. A Ford service "advisor" ignored me the first time I requested an ID of the trans. and couldn't give me a straight answer the second, and last time I bothered to ask him. The Scheduled Maintenance Guide that came with the truck calls for 30,000 mile servicing of all "AX4S, AX4N, 4R70W and 4R100" trannys regardless of "normal" or severe operation - no mention of any other auto trans in there. A year "2000" scheduled maintenance brochure I picked up at a Ford service dept. notes under "2000" Ranger's 4R44E and 5R55E service is not required until 150,000 miles under "normal" operating conditions (which tells me I should probably have it done at at 30,000 and certainly no more than 50 - 75,000. Haynes manual says I HAVE a 4R44E and of course calls for EVERY 24,000 miles\24 months (whichever comes first I'm sure), but then those knuckle-heads call for Mercon fluid where my O's manual specifically states Mercon V ONLY. I had this trans BG "flushed" at about 29 - 30,000 miles (with the BG cleaner and conditioner added) by a reputable shop as the Carmax dealer I bought it from offered me a coupon for a "Free" (I should have known better!) 30,000 service of my vehicle which included a trans svc. Got it done at about 27,500 and about 2-3 weeks later noticed strange (intermittent hard) shifting going on at about 1,500 - 2000 miles after service. Had them fax me the record of the fluid used and it said - Dexron!!! I about had a stroke as this truck CAN NOT take Dexron. That's when I demanded they do SOMETHING and we settled on a BG flush\clean\conditioner w\ Mercon V. There doesn't seem to be any damage (that I can notice from just driving) but I wonder - alot. And I wonder if I should have it flushed again (am at 62,000 + miles now) or even have a full service done ( w\ new filter - since the Dexron obviously contaminated the filter installed with the WRONG fluid at 27,500). I have a cousin mechanic who claims modern filters are designed to last for 100,000 miles and I "half" believe him - but I worry alot - as I said I love this lil' truck, want to make it as HD as I can afford (right now) but need it to perform and LAST as long as possible as money is beyond tight for me right now - haven't made ANY $ in several months waiting for this spinal surgery (and won't make any for the next couple months cause of recoup. time). Sorry I went so long - I'm finding myself w\ TOO MUCH time on my hands and instead of tinkering on mechanical devices I'm stuck w\ this dang keyboard. Any suggestions - Thanks again, and in advance - Glenn