O/T Need help with tranny in 94 Ranger

Hi,
This is my friends username but he's letting me post because I work on his stang with him. Anyways, I have a 94 Ranger 4x2 with the 4.0L 6cyl engine, the A4LD 4 speed automatic transmission, and 160k on the odometer. The transmission just started acting up. I'm not sure if the fluid has ever been changed but it is brownish and I topped it off to the proper amount. When driving, it shifts 1-2, 2-3 just fine. In 3rd gear there is a shudder. Does the A4LD have a lock-up torque convertor? If yes, is it supposed to lock-up in 3rd gear? My suspicion is the torque convertor is locking up too soon. (It shifts into 3rd then locks up right away and sort of bogs the engine.) The shift pattern is P-R-N-OD-D-2-1 and it does it in OD and D. I've driven around in D and after it does it and I'm at highway speeds I can shift it to OD and it will shift into 4th gear (overdrive) just fine. Ive tried part-throttle and full-throttle and it does it either way. I know this is off-topic but can anybody help me?

Also, how can I tell if I have a 7.5" or an 8.8" rearend? Whatever it is, I dont have a trac-loc because it leaves one tire mark. I thought Rangers came standard with a trac-loc.

Thanks,
Drew

Ok, I figured out some things. Correct me if I am wrong: The A4LD trans is not operated by a TV cable. It has a vacuum line running from the engine. There is also a cable that connects from the gas pedal to to the transmission. This must be the kickdown cable. It was disconnected from the pedal. This fixes the problem of the trans not downshifting, which I just now realized. Other than that, I still need advice on what might be wrong.

BTW, I found out it has a 3.08 geared conventional 8.8" rearend.

67coupestang said:

yep. start small... but that tranny is nitorious (sp?) for going south

as for your rear end... 8.8's came behind anything with a 4.0 even aerostars, expo's etc... the expo's got 31 splines, yours is 28... I think the only time limited slip was there is if you got a tow or sport package and then i think you would have had 3.73's or even 4.11's

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Speaking of the tow package, is there any way I can tell if I have it? The P.O. said it had it and I think so because it has a transmission cooler mounted in front of the radiator. What else was included in the tow package?

TIGGER said:

I hope things work out for you. I just got done putting in a rebuilt A4LD in my girlfriends Explorer.

www.therangerstation.com is a good site if you need some additional info on your ranger.

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Thanks. I found this site yesterday too so I'm going to post over there also.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

68GEETEE said:

you need to drain ALL the fluid from the pan AND the torque converter. Install a new filter and put in the correct amount of MERCON V trans fluid. I had the same problem on a 96 Mustang with 105k. One place wanted to rebuild the trans for 1000.00, I took it for a second opinion elsewhere and it just needed the service described above. Ran me 111.00, and saved my butt.

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I heard a rumor that changing the fluid on a transmission that is overdue for a change does more harm than it does good. I'm sure some of you guys have heard this too. Is there any truth to this?