I have a 96 XLT, 6 cyl 2wd. Needs a trans.
The symptoms are:
Shifts up hard in all gears except OD. If I press the OD off button on the gear shift the truck will not move, just sort of lurches in place. If the OD band is loosened way back, the truck will move with the OD off, obviously will not go into OD and still shifts hard. I know this because the original problem, when I got the truck, was no OD. Making the band adjustment brought it back with the other issues. Done a LOT of reading and I believe the OD sprag is shot, I changed the fluid and filter right after getting the truck, checked all of the solenoids with a 9 volt battery and they all worked. Currently I am thinking of rebuilding it myself.
Rebuilt motors before, never an auto trans. Replaced bearings in a Subaru manual once so I think I can do the job. Just trying to decide if I want to. I have been looking for a 96 trans with no great luck, was wondering if something newer would fit in the same place. Maybe if I can find something less than 5 years old might just do a swap.

 

Ford changed the electronics along with an upgrade in 97 so you are stuck with 95-96 transmissions.

 

I still have not repaired the trans, been limping along but needs to be done. I found a 4R44E from a 96 3.0. My understanding is that the 44 and 55 were essentially the same inside, possibly code differences? I would like the experience of rebuilding the one I have.
The question is, will the bell housing from the 4R55E fit the 4R44E so I can swap them out and still drive to work while doing a full rebuild?