Sorry in advance if this is the wrong area to post. Please advise if incorrect.
(P.S. I am assuming this vehicles are stock, not noted otherwise)
I currently have a 1993 Ford Ranger Single Cab LWB 4x4 3.0 V6, (Assuming A4LD) 4.10 gear ratio. I am not getting overdrive and have not investigate the root cause. This is because the A4LD isn't the best trans, especially with 4x4. At first I was going to fix the trans/replace with another model, but with the gas gauge not working, ugly body, and being a tall guy who has no room; I figured other options are needed. I have found a 1999 Ford Ranger Extended Cab 2WD 3.0 V6 Auto (Assuming it is the 4R44E, side note- is this a significant upgrade to the A4LD in terms of mostly reliability?) Vehicle is roughly 30 minutes from where I live, is very cheap due to needing a new engine, backseat will give me more room, and body is pretty clean minus clear coat. Before I purchase, I wanted to know what changes would have to be made for the 1993 to go in the 1999 and if everything would function as factory, if not what would not work. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

A4LD, 4R44E and 5R44E are the same transmissions, only changes were valve body to add full solenoid control, the 5R 5-speed was a software change in computer, turns on OD when in 1st gear to get an in between ratio for a faux "2nd gear"

1993 uses OBD1 60-wire computer(EEC-IV)
1995 and up uses OBD2 104-wire computer(EEC-V)

So the 1999 system requires ALOT more wiring not a plug and play

Your 3.0l block and heads(long block) could be put into the 1999 and use the 1999 intakes on it with the extra sensors

The 4R needs full computer control so can't be used with 1993 computer, and 1999 computer can't be used with 1993 60-pin wiring harness

A4LD was a good transmission which is why Ford stayed with it thru 2011 Rangers

Modulator on passenger side could cause issues after 20+ years and can be changed fairly easily, but not sure if thats your issue, check its vacuum hose for ATF

1993 A4LD will have 2 solenoids, one for OD(3/4 shift) but you should get a code if that solenoid has failed, but it could just be that solenoids valve in the valve body thats the issue

When the A4LD first came out in 1985 most transmission shops had never seen an OD automatic, so they "went to school" on them
And like most people if they did a rebuild on something and it failed, then its a "design problem", lol, "not my fault, bad design"
So bad it was used for 26 more years
So grain of salt when reading about the A4LD, good article here to read on it: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ary/a4ld.shtml

And 2WD or 4x4 didn't matter

 

I did a bit of research. I understood that the A4LD was a modified C-3 to add OD (was informed that this is why the A4LD goes bad, usually with OD).I was under the impression that 4R44E, 5R44E, and the 5r 5-speed were complete redesigned trans. From everything that I have read made me uneasy about these trans in general. Thank you for that knowledge! I had a foxbody 4 banger. I believe those had the same trans as well, between both of them malfunctioning I was rubbed the wrong way. That was a good article, makes me feel a little better about them though.

In advance, will probably ask some really silly questions, but I have done research and am hands on. I often fix my families and extended families vehicles, but it doesn't get much more involved than rear end replacements,alternators,brakes, radiators,struts,ect. Try to bear with me lol.

Dumb Question 1: I assume you mean pull sensors from the 1999 and use them in the 1993 engine. If so, are they plug and play or will I need to splice connector for the sensor as well?

Dumb Question 2: Know of any guides to splice the connections so the 1999 OBD2 104-wire computer(EEC-V) can be used for the 93 engine, since I will be using the 1999 truck? And if you know if this has been done, does everything work as oem? IMO the trans and rest of the system would work, should only need to make adjustments for engine to work with it. Then again you know more than me, just giving my thoughts.

From what you've given me, It sounds like a fairly straightforward swap apart from the wiring. I'll wait for your input and I will research as well for the wiring solution. Let me know other wise though, I know it is ideal to get another truck more compatible with odb1, but finding a clean-ish truck, with a bad motor, title, 140,000 miles, extended cab for room, good tires, 30 minutes away, and selling for scrap price is very hard to beat. Just loosing 4x4 which is a trade off I can stand. I look forward to your reply and appreciate your much needed help.

 

No silly questions only silly answers

3.0l Vulcan engines were the same from 1991 to 2008, the parts that bolt on to the engine changed

You can use the 1993 3.0l block, heads and rocker assembly(long block) to replace the 1999 3.0l long block, its called a Long block swap, long block is the name for the engine part, everything else bolts to the engine but is NOT the engine

You will NOT use any of the other 1993 engine bolt on parts, just the long block

You will use the upper and lower intakes and exhaust manifolds from the 1999
Also the front engine cover(timing chain cover), water pump and brackets from the 1999
Also the crank pulley, oil pan and valve covers from the 1999

Any future parts you buy will be for a 1999 3.0l Ranger engine
...............with 2 exceptions, head bolts would be the shorter ones, pre-1999, and valve replacements would be 8mm, neither of which would come up on this swap, and would be noticeable to anyone rebuilding the engine down the road.

Its not the year of the engine, if its the same model, its the year of the BOLT ON parts that mattered for computer and OBD1 or OBD2

I would put in a new oil pump while engine is out and a new rear main seal, and if you look them up, oil pump and seal is the same for 1991 to 2008 3.0l Vulcan engines, because its the same engine

None of the wiring plugs into the "engine", all the wiring plugs into the parts that bolt on to the engine, so you unplug all the wiring from the 1999 intake, then put 1999 intake on 1993 engine and all the wires just plug back in, no splicing or hassles
Same for fuel system and spark, everything just plugs back in because its what it was plugged into before

 

That makes since, thank you man I really appreciate you. I think you have answered everything I need to know. Plus you made it make since and got me excited about this project. I hope to get it this weekend. Just gotta figure out money situation. Know I said scrap price but I'm a young dad about to have another with home remodels, in school, and provide the income lol. But I cant wait to get this up and going. If for some reason, it doesn't work out, I suppose we can talk about fixing my trans, probable will need another post for that I assume. Again, thank you man!