I致e got an 04 ranger 2.3 automatic 5r55e and the transmission is failing. I知 thinking of converting to a 5speed manual because they are dirt cheap and I can find them everywhere near me. It looks like the 5r55e rebuild kit, new converter, and new valve body will be over $1100 just in parts. Not sure what the new pump will run, so I知 thinking it will run me around $1600 just in parts to rebuild the automatic. Plus my time and labor because I知 guessing it will take at least 4-5 hours just to tear down, clean the case, and assess all the parts, and then order what I need.

I found a 5speed with less than 50k miles for $300. Not sure what the pedals, flywheel/clutch, hydraulics, pcm, and maybe a driveshaft will run me but I think I値l come out cheaper, and easier with less time involved if I swap it to a manual.

Do I have to change the pcm? Or can I have mine flashed?
Will changing or flashing my pcm mess with my odometer?
Do I need to change the wiring harness also or can I just leave my automatic harness in?

 

Make sure the transmission is a from a 2001+ 2.3 as they have unique bellhousings. No other Ranger transmission will fit them.

If I recall correctly, my swap came in around $1500 or so. I traded most of my automatic stuff for the manual stuff, which saved me some money. I did buy an all new clutch kit, pedal assembly, and clutch hydraulics.

It has been discovered that on some trucks, you can leave the computer alone along with the wiring harness and the truck will drive fine. Other trucks seem to have issues with the rev limiter. You won't really know until you do the swap. Flashing the computer is a worthless choice because it's difficult to find somebody who knows how and/or is willing to do it. Your local Ford dealer will pretty much tell you to get lost unless you have an in with someone who works there.

I personally swapped the computer and the upper engine/transmission wiring harness and was able to drive my truck without any issues. Keep in mind that 2003+ Rangers do not have the wiring for the clutch safety switch; I wired it in on my truck. The different computer did not affect my odometer as it was mechnical, but on your truck it most likely will. 2004+ trucks have the instrument cluster "married" to the computer, so if you swap the computer, you either need to swap the instrument cluster from the same vehicle, or re-marry your existing gauge cluster to the new computer. Again, it may be difficult to find somebody to do this. Most people with 04+ trucks keep the auto computer and wiring for this reason.

One other thing to note is that swapping the computer will affect the PATS system as well. You will need a matched set of keys and locks to go along with the new computer.

 

May not be the best idea then. I might just pull this auto down and go through it

 

You have a 5R44E just FYI, 5R55E were only in 4.0l V6 Ranger or Explorers
5R44E were in 3.0l V6 and 2.3l 4cyl
But generic term for all is "5R55E"

But it matters for internal parts, basically they are the same transmission since 1985, as the A4LD 1985-1994, 1995 4R then 2001 5R
44 means its rated for 440ft/lb torque
55 means 550ft/lb torque, bigger OD drum for the bigger 4.0l SOHC engine
"E" just means electric shifting

So on internal parts you may see "fits 1985 thru 2011 A4LD, 4R and 5R models", which is a good sign, very very few automatics had a good enough original design to stay "in production" for 27 YEARS, lol
So its a good transmission and had a good run

 

Ok I will check for check for 5r44e parts, thanks. I didn’t know this auto had been in production that long. In the truck’s previous life it was loaded down with hvac equipment, and also occasionally pulled a trailer, so maybe I should keep it an automatic because I just use it as a spare, and never pull anything with it.

I was thinking the 5 speeds for these trucks would be more durable, but maybe not. They are a lot cheaper, and they are everywhere in junkyards with anywhere 14k miles to over 200k and, the 2007 5 speed I found with 14k miles is only $650. Usually around here the engines/transmissions that are everywhere and cheap are the ones that last forever. Parts that are in high demand are usually much more expensive.

 

Yes, the Rangers used the Mazda M5R1(M5OD-R1) manuals from 1988 thru 2011 and they were very reliable so can be found used for a good price

The used automatics usually cost more because people won't rebuild an automatic themselves, they will swap them out, so more of a market, supply and demand
Factory new these automatics should do 250-300k if serviced and not OVERHEATED, that just plain KILLS an automatic
Quality rebuild, not just bands and clutches, 200-250k
Just bands and clutches, 12 to 18months, usually the warranty period, lol


The A4LD was based on the 3-speed C3 which was used in Fords starting in 1974 and thru 1985
A4LD got an added gear, OverDrive and different housing, so 4-speed
It was one of the first OD automatics, which would get it into trouble later on
1985 thru 1987/88 A4LD also had first electric solenoid in an automatic, it locked up torque converter at a lower speed for better MPG, TCC solenoid
In 1988/89 a 2nd solenoid was added for better shifting in and out of OD, 3/4 shift solenoid

In 1995 a new valve body was added with 6 solenoids, same A4LD 4-speed guts just a new valve body with FULL SHIFT control from computer, renamed 4R55E,

Now the 5R55E is exactly the same transmission as the 4R55E, what Ford did was to added software to the engine/transmission computer, and it would turn on OD while still in 1st gear, that gave it a "new ratio" a Faux "2nd gear", there was no new gear added, but a new ratio was available, so the 4-speed became a 5-speed, very clever these Americans, lol
In 2001 there was a new sensor added, to the out side of the 5R's, ISS sensor, but it was still a 4R55E at heart


What got the A4LD into trouble was it was the first OverDrive automatic transmission ANY transmission shop had EVER seen
So if there was a transmission problem the shop would "go to school" on the A4LD, and that didn't always turn out well for the shop, or owner of vehicle
And human nature being what it is, if they couldn't fix it or fixed it and it broke down again within a month or two................"It must be a bad design, I know transmissions and this is not a good transmission"
Right, lasted 27 years, what a piece of ****, lol
So they did get a bad REP at first, and in fairness Ford also "went to school" on the A4LD and the AODE(bigger version)

 

The 5 speed manual is very reliable, mine has well over 237,000 miles on it (I swapped it in with 105k) and still performs flawlessly.

The two problems with manual transmissions are that the towing capacity is less than an automatic, and the aftermarket clutch hydraulic parts are junk. The replacement parts don't last long and are prone to air leaks. Air leaks in a hydraulic system are definitely not good.