I have a 1995 ford ranger 4.0 4x4 automatic and I have a 4r55e transmission in it if if correct and I was wondering if a 5r55e would work in my truck? And is there a certain year I would have to get for the 5r55e transmission

 

The 4R and 5R are the same transmission inside, Ford engineers added new software to the PCM(engine computer) that turned on OverDrive while still in 1st gear, to get a faux 2nd gear, making a smoother shift between the old 1st and 2nd gear which had wide ratio difference

So no real benefit, your 1995 computer will just shift it like it does the 4R, but you can if you want
You have a 4x4 so speed sensor is on the transfer case, the 5Rs don't have same speed sensor so for 2WD it wouldn't work

As far as I know you should be able to use any 5R55E up to 2011, last year, 5R55E was only used on 4.0l OHV and 4.0l SOHC so bolt pattern is the same, and from a 4x4 of course
5R44E wouldn't fit on your engine

You might be able to swap to 1997 4.0l Ranger computer, it can shift 5R55E to get the extra gear, but again, its just a faux 2nd gear so not alot of benefit, it was more a marketing tool than upgrade, "its a 5 speed!!", lol

 

can I buy a 5r55e without a tail housing and just use the one that I have on my 4r55e

 

As long as its a 4x4 5R55E
The main shaft, inside the transmission, is longer on a 2WD transmission, so it not just a matter of tail shaft housing length
You have to do a complete tear down and rebuild to change 2WD or 4WD shafts