How I Improved The A4LD Transmission in My Ford Ranger

Check the end of the video for pictures/ part numbers of the parts I bought.
My planned maintenance schedule for the A4LD:
Fluid changes every 4th oil change (12k miles)
Change remote mount filter once a year
Change internal filter every 3rd transmission fluid change (every 36k miles)
Hopefully my A4LD lasts a while, but if it doesn’t, oh well, I’ll save up and swap in a tougher, better built A4LD.
The other video of my Ranger:
• My 23k mile 1993 Ford ...
Transmission filter/ temp sender kit.
www.jegs.com/i...
A4LD common problems
www.therangers...
A few of the A4LD success stories that I found
www.ford-truck...

[@ronrico2620]

I just picked up a 94 Mazda b4000 for almost nothing with 231k. It was an old scrap metal guys truck. I found the receipt for the tommy gate lift on the back $2000 about 25 years ago. So I know he was hauling bed fulls of junk. I know its the original trans and seems to be doing ok. Haven't been on the highway yet but was doing 55mph just fine. I was thinking about running remote trans cooler in addition to the cooler on the radiator. It's a great little truck and I'll keep welding the frame together and rebuilding trans or whatever to keep it running. Thanks for all info and others helpful comments

[@johnnyb3726]

We literally just bought a 1990 Ranger XLT on last Thursday...driving it empty, in Overdrive...going 55-65 mph...she started smoking. we got to a destination...checked under the hood...no smoking...but I saw a little engine oil on the valve cover, So i just assumed it was oil dripping on the exhaust manifold...at this time we had zero trans fluid on the ground...We take off back toward home (25 miles there abouts)...once back on the hwy, she started smoking again...we made it a few more miles and the first "slipping" started at a stop sign...before it started slipping...it literally just died like a manual shift transmission does popping the clutch...but it started and the trans grabbed and we were underway...then we got into stop and go...and she started slipping severely, so we pulled off and called a tow truck. We checked the fluid and it was not showing on the stick...so we added fluids, and started it up in park...it was just puking fluids out the front of the bell housing onto the ground...I shut it off...and the This truck has 90,000 original miles and the trans fluid looked and smelled brand new when we checked it all out before making the purchase. I think that we smoked the transmission driving around 1-1.5 miles after the first "slipping" was felt....what do you guys think? It was pretty warm Saturday...around 95 here in Houston and the engine compartment was really hot (but not like you would expect from an overheat), the truck temp gauge and oil gauges were not even close to overheating or low oil pressure etc...basically the dash was "normal". Also...if this "overheating" was a total thing...then one would think that almost every truck built with this set up would have the same issues...Ford made millions of these things....do you guys think this transmission is just destroyed now???

[@LumpyFPV]

Hell yeah, that's a sweet Ranger!! I've got a super beat up looking '91 with the 3.0 V6 and the A4LD, but mechanically it's an absolute beast. I don't tow or anything really, but I'm coming up on 200k and it's still kicking ass. Thanks for the video and the advice. Please tell your cat I said hi 🤣 I heard the little fella in the background. EDIT I typed that last part before I saw him at the end. 🤣

[@paull4659]

I have a A4LD in my Bronco I use off road. Cooling is everything in this Trans. As for fluid gushing from the front seal, this is a simple fixed by oversizing the front seal bleed off holes in the bell housing and pump to bring down the pressure. This will fix the seal leak. In addition to over sizing the return holes, be sure to use the upgraded bell housing to trans mounting bolts that include "O" rings not the old rubberized washers. Besure to give each bolt a good dose of silicone to back up the "O" rings. While you're into the trans, make sure to upgrade the intermediate servo to the OD servo AB standard, but keep the springs the same as OEM. Also if you dare, while the bell housing is off, install at new overdrive band. It's sitting directly behind the pump, an easy upgrade. And lastly, cooling, A4LD are subject to overheating. I have two oil coolers in mine. One has it's own fan, the other is a pre-cooler at the front of the truck before the fan cooler. The A4LD is a great trans once upgraded with these simple easy fixes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4fKgoSYfLypn7M

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

Thank you!! This comment is EXACTLY why I made this video. I saved this and put it in my a4ld notes file. I am not experienced with automatic transmissions, this is my first one since I was a teenager and I really appreciate the info. That type of knowledge about an old transmission is nearly impossible to find.

[@benyhana420]

No links for parts in description??

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

They’re in there. Scroll to the bottom. Some are listed at the end of the video as well.

[@benyhana420]

The filter mount link is the only one in the description and it’s a bad link

[@sethdoss8731]

Hey, good to see you posting again, always enjoy your content!

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

Thank you so much! More regular videos are definitely here to stay.

[@robertogrijalva5313]

Hola, veo tu video, me interesa reparar mi tranmision A4lD 4x4 de ford explorer 1993, podrias ayudarme con algun video de la reparacion de la tuya?

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

Mine hasn’t needed any repairs yet, I just did this preventative maintenance, there are many good videos on rebuilds of the a4ld though.

[@Turningwrenches85]

It's a nice ford ranger, and glad you sorted out keeping the transmission up from any failure

[@grantstump4010]

What filter kit is that with the temp gauge?

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

It’s a Derale kit, it should either be shown at the end of the video or linked in the description.

[@grantstump4010]

@@kylesjunkandprojects216 thank you. I didn't notice if it was.

[@billseay6399]

Hey thanks Loving it big guy

[@joshcasto6699]

I have a 1986 Bronco 2. It has the 4ALD as well, could I do the same thing to prevent issues?

[@kylesjunkandprojects216]

Yes, you definitely could.