Popular myth started by transmission shops that had never seen Over Drive automatics before, and never read up on them

They would do a soft parts rebuild, clutches and bands, which pretty much guaranties it will be back in the shop in 12 to 18months
And instead of saying "oh, I must have made a mistake", they would say "its a bad design", lair liar pants on fire, lol.

The A4LD and its next generation 4R55E are the same mechanically, as is the 5R55E
Off roaders came up with a method of turning on OD while still in 1st, and in 2nd, making the A4LD a 6 speed instead of a 4 speed
So in 1997 Ford added software to computer to turn on OD while still in 1st, giving the 4R55E(4 speed) and new 2nd gear, and they renamed it 5R55E, a 5 speed

Anyway these transmissions were made from 1985 to 2012 and are just fine for automatics
Ford wouldn't build and install a transmission for 27 years if it self destructed in 12-24 months, lol
Not that car makers don't goof up, they do, but they don't let it go on for 27 years

Good read here on these: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.shtml

Especially this part
This applies to 4R and 5R as they are the same transmission internally

And as always, 2nd trans cooler is required on any automatic, best $65 you will ever spend on any vehicle with an automatic




The OD sensor was never really used and was discontinued in 1998/9
Its a two wire sensor on drivers side by bellhousing

You can used any year 5R55E you just need to connect OD sensor wires together to prevent computer from turning on CEL(check engine light)

Read here:

 

 

Yes, if its from a 4.0l engine, OHV or SOHC, 2WD, it would be identical as far as use, but hopefully it works if your doesn't, lol.
So 1997 to 2012 5R55E will work

It won't have the OD sensor, but you don't need it, if you follow Fords TSB instructions above

5R55E is a model number, not what it fits, for bell housing to match up it needs to be from/for a 4.0l engine, 1997 to 2012 4.0l ohv or sohc doesn't matter same bolt pattern
And for tail shaft to match it needs to be from a 2WD, 4x4 won't work and can't be converted without full rebuild

These were also used in Mazda B4000 pickups and Explorers, same 5R55E

 

 

3rd generation 5R55W didn't have a dipstick it was a sealed transmission , also the 5R55S I believe
Rangers never used those transmissions, just the E's

 

 

Yeah. Ron is a seriously overflowing well of Ranger/Ford knowledge. He's helped me more than once

I debate whether he's human or a supercomputer left by the ancient Ford Gods.

 

 

Yes, for 1998-2000 you'll need to swap tail shaft housings and move the worm gear over as well, I would put in a new rear seal

Not sure what you mean by "play", torque converter should turn

 

 

Worm gear is on the 1997 tail shaft it spins the "driven gear" on the end of the speed sensor

A4LD, 4R and 5R, 44E or 55E are all the same transmissions on the outside so rear seal should fit any of those

Try ATP Automatic Transmission Rear Seals FO-21
$7-$10

You can get gasket, seal and O-ring(speed sensor) for about $20

Don't remember a wobble but may be OK, the front of torque converter is bolted to the flex plate so it can't wobble when installed
But it is odd, when you slide it in all the way, 2 or 3 "clicks" it should be held by front seal, and front pump, so shouldn't wobble much

 

The tail shaft has the worm gear made onto it. The new transmission that didn’t have the speed sensor hole also has the worm gear made on it. That’s if we are talking about the same thing. I’ll look into getting the seal kit tomorrow. I’ll have the transmission in tomorrow hopefully. I’ll post up some pics in the morning.

 

Good info, didn't know that about the 4R and 5R

 

 

Good work

Thanks for the update

 

Can I put a 1997 5r55e in 2008 excape?

 

No, older transmissions don't have correct sensors, and I think ALL Ford Escapes are FWD or AWD so wouldn't fit in any case

 

Ok .. I will be putting in the wire harness with the trans also.... So ...can I put the 5r55e in a say 2003-20011 explorer/ F-150 ect?...id be switiching the bell housings and wire harness/trans Computer? I seen in some threds there the same just different sensors(would be useing the harness/comp with the 5r55e) and would have to swap bell houseings...... Ans with iit being eather 4x4 or 2x4... I can swap the shafts or I even seen them being cut to length....I am just asking idk ... So any input is very very thankful!!!!!

 

Just what is it you are trying to do ?

First you talk about an Escape, now you're talking about an Explorer/F-150

 

You have to do a full rebuild to "swap the shafts" in an automatic to change 2wd to 4wd or visa versa, not really an economical thing to do
No on cutting to length
You can find loads of info on the internet, alot of it is wrong, so grain of salt on what you read

The 5R55E was made for V6 engine power, under 220HP max

Yes, if you use the same year computer on the same year 5R55E it should be OK

 

Do the tranny and engine share the computer? Will a 2002 explorer take the 5r55?

 

Yes, Computer is called a PCM, powertrain control module, so controls engine and automatic transmission

Yes, a 2002 Explorer with a 4.0l V6 used the 5R55E, not the V8 model, that used the 4R70W automatic

The actual model number in 2002 was 5R55W, the W meant trans had different overdrive gear set but shifting and sensors were the same, so either would work, again ONLY for the 4.0l V6 engine, NOT the 4.6l V8

 

RonD...I have a 97 Ranger 2wd 4.0. Transmission seems to want to jump out of OD at speeds like 45-55. I was wanting to replace the transmission and looking back through this thread and your wealth of knowledge amazes me! Thank you. I cannot find a transmission to that exact match of a vehicle. I found 2 from a 09 and 11 Ranger 2wd 4.0. From you comments below I see that those tranny's should work, possibly having to wire-thru the OD sensor.

Can you please comment to this, I would appreciate it.

 

Hi,

The problem with 1995-1997 Rangers is that speed signal came from transmission tail shaft gear via VSS, 2WD, or transfer case gear 4WD

1998 - 2000 used rear axle VSS, 2001 and up used OSS, different signal than VSS

You can use a later model transmission and take your tail shaft housing off the old one, the gear you need is machined on the tail shaft up thru 2011 as far as I know
So you just need the hole on tail shaft housing on the newer models to install the driven gear with VSS, so you put your tail shaft housing on the newer one

The wiring for solenoids and sensors is the same, you just don't need/use the ISS and OSS sensors found on the 2001 and up 5R55E models