My son has an A4LD behind a 2.9L in his '88 Ranger. Transmission overheated (plugged tranny cooler) and had to tow it home for him. Dropped the pan to change the filter and found (get ready!) major chunks of metal from gears, etc. in the pan. Flushed the tranny twice to try and clear out as much loose metal as possible and installed a new filter. It is currently functioning but have limited him to the 4 mile commute to work and back each day. Has to use a bicycle to go everywhere else (or rely on his girlfriend).

He likes driving with the automatic as it isn't used for anything other than basic transportation. He's had a stick before in another vehicle, liked to drive it on the road, hated it in traffic (which he faces on both ends of his commute). I have read about the A4LD being a piece of junk best fit for a boat anchor and am looking for recommendations for a tranny swap. Would prefer a bolt-in swap because he needs the truck back after the weekend. Would a C4 or C5 work? Don't want the trouble of the later computer controlled 4R trannies and the requisite rewiring associated with that swap.

Your thoughts and insights would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has links to a project log for something like this I can send him the link and he can get a bit educated about what will need to be done prior to diving into it. I am an experienced wrench from way back and do all of my own work on my rigs, so technically I can handle whatever is needed. I just want him to do most of the work while I oversee everything so he can learn to do this on his own. Like they say: Watch one, Do one, Teach one. ---rick

 

the transmission in his truck would be fine as along as it is taken care of...it would just be easier to have that one rebuilt

 

Not a problem as far as maintenance goes, I've taught all three of my kids to do a thorough check of all routine things (i.e., fluids) every weekend and to come to my house and use my tools to change oil, grease the zercs, refresh brakes, etc.

I considered having his tranny rebuilt but with the chunks of gear in the pan, as well as factoring in the cost of the rebuild (I've never worked on the internals of an auto), I figured we would be better off finding a swap at a local pick-n-pull. Should we just stay with the A4LD (perhaps finding a better one from a wrecked low mileage truck)?

 

yea id just stick with that...itll be a direct bolt in