I am getting tired of the manual tranny in my truck.i daily drive it quite a ways through heavy traffic and i want to can the manual and go with an automatic.I know i have to go with the A4LD,a computer out of an auto truck,prolly a different driveshaft(dont know the length differences between an A4LD and M5OD) and prolly a little wiring,what else am i in store for when i do this swap??

 

come on i know someone here has gone from a manual to an auto before........

 

Not to be a downer, but the A4LD automatic is not the best tranny. Most people swap over to the manual due to the problems with it. I know I am dealing with my A4LD right now. IF you really want to swap over, best to find a 92 to 93 explorer A4LD. That 4.0L tranny is built little better than the 2.9L version(has torrington bearings, more clutch packs ect) BUT THEY ALL have the weak link. The OD input basket and torque converter bushing are the #1 failures of this tranny.

As for size of drive shafts, I don't have that info but others here do. Your engine computer for the manual will not be able to lock the torque converter or alow OD, so you will have to swap that and possably add some more wires from ECU to trans. But it will run the truck till you get a replacement. Also get the biggest tranny cooler you can get as heat is what causes most problems I had with my tranny.

 

Well, a neutral safety switch would be another thing you would need.

Though if you just take the two (purple?) wires off the clutch pedal switch under the dash and put them together it will start the vehicle, in all gears ...

You will need linkage and a new steering column unless you go floor shift. I think 1984-1985 would do you for a floor shifter set up?

If you have cruise, the swap to the automatic is pretty easy and a lot less hassle then the manual.

I have sold CPUs on E-Bay for $25, kind of the going price, so don't let that put you off. It is a real hassle to drive a manual in stop and go traffic, if you are sick of it, then go for the swap.

Automatic may require a different switch for the A/C, not sure, would have to double check that.

As someone mentioned put the biggest cooler you can on it, with a fan. Change the fluid every 25,000 and you should have no problems with the A4LD. Really, on one of my B2s with an A4LD it was badly beat to death including plowing and it lasted well over 140,000 miles.

Fluid change is the key to avoid A4LD problems.