No doubt this has been discussed many times, but I appear to be Google Impaired. I can never find anything when I do a search.

Recently I found an article that described things to check on an A4LD trans before condemning it. Can someone direct me to that article or any other articles pertaining to diagnosing this trans? I don't even remember which forum it was in. I suppose it could have been one of the "other" forums.

Anyway, my '91 Explorer won't go when I put it in O/D. It seems fine as long as I only put it in D, R, 1, or 2. I'm going to see if there are any error codes. I changed the fluid and filter about 1000 miles ago and it had been changed about 20,000 miles before that. The fluid looks kinda brown already and I'm unable to read the dipstick when the trans is warmed up--I simply cannot tell what the level is but I can see ATF on the dipstick. When it's cold the fluid level is easy to read.

If I have to get this trans replaced that will be #3 with 232K miles on it. I also have a '92 and it's about to get trans #3 also with 275K miles. That's a lot of transmissions. I'm going to read some more about putting in a C5 or whatever but I don't know if I can do all the modifications that may be required. So far I have replaced one auto trans on a '99 Ranger. It seems to be OK. I thought about finding an Explorer with a manual trans and sticking that in my '91 but that sounds like it is very complicated too.

 

The A4LD has some issues, but is overall a tough trans. In the stock form they are kind of weak, and tend to wear out the bands and clutches quickly, depending on the conditions. But with some upgrades, some of which are cheap, along with the newer updated parts, they can be made very tough, and can withstand up to about 280 hp.

If you get the shift kits, stronger planetary gears, a heavy duty torque converter, and some better bands and clutches, they become just about indestructible. A rebuilt trans that is already upgraded only costs a couple hundred more than a stock rebuilt trans.

Steer clear on the manual trans. The 5 speed manual (M5OD) trans is a worthless POS. Even in the upgraded form, the V6 will tear it apart. The A4LD when upgraded is much tougher, and has more potential.

The great thing about the upgraded A4LD, is that it does not require any special modification to the vehicle, it just swaps in and you are good to go.

 

So, they just didn't put ANY good transmissions in the early Explorers.

I've read a LOT about trans swaps and upgrades and shift kits and whatever but I don't know much about transmissions (yet) so much of what I read was rather meaningless to me. I was under the impression this kind of thing was for those who know transmssions in and out. From what you are telling me I should be able to buy a rebuilt trans with some of these modifications, or perhaps get mine rebuilt and have those things added. This is very encouraging, even though it sounds expensive. It wouldn't be so bad if this was my FIRST rebuild.

I can't imagine ever getting rid of my '91 Explorer unless the government takes it away from me. If that happens I might just get a different government.

 

www.ExplorerForums.com has a lot of good information on the A4LD. You should also pick up the ATSG manual for the A4LD

 

It seems like a built A4LD is the way to go with the Cologne series engines. Although if you have a 2WD Explorer, you *could* use a T5 from a 4.0 Mustang.

Ford also used the Cologne series engines in Europe, including some putting out well over 200HP, so it may be possible to also source a European transmission - but unlikely.

 

I forgot to mention it's 4WD. 200 HP? I think the 4.0L is rated at about 245 HP and it probably still has most of that power ;-)

Sounds like the built A4LD IS the way to go. I can't see putting another stock rebuilt trans in there. Can't afford to keep putting them in either. My Explorer gets some fairly hard use such as I can't get up my hill on my land without 4WD or get to pavement when it's raining. I used to use it to drag my roads but now I have an old abandoned Mitsubishi 4WD pickup that runs well enough to do that. I got the Mitsubishi to "save" the trans on my Explorer. Guess I didn't get it soon enough. Funny thing is the manual trans and manual transfer case on the Mitsubishi still work fine and it has 242K miles on it and had been severely neglected. Kinda makes me want to get a Mitsubishi 4X4!

So, where do I start looking for a built-up A4LD? A performance shop or 4X4 place? How much should I expect to have to pay? A regular rebuilt A4LD seems to start at just under $1000.

 

You have a 1st gen Explorer? Those have around 165HP IIRC

 

The 4.0 OHV was rated at 155 to 160 HP depending on model year. The 4.0 SOHC used in 97 and up explorers, and was rated at 205, and later 210 HP

 

I must have confused cubic inches with HP. 4.0L comes to 244 cu/in, I think.