87 A4LD/94 4.0L+ECU

[gaz]

Hello,

PREFACE
**this 1987 BII has a complete 1994 Explorer EGR 4.0L/dash/cab and engine bay wire harness/ecm swap**

I finally have a replacement column for my 87 BII which came stock with a floor shifted A4LD and manual transfer case. My replacement column is from a 94 column shifting unit.

I have never wanted a column shifter and with the manual Transmission and transfer case shifters on the floor, I REALLY do not want the column shifter to be used.

What I need to know:

A) can I use my 87 A4LD with floor shifter with this 94, 4.0L/ecm setup without shift point or overdrive issues?

B) should I use the column shifted A4LD instead and why?

 

[gaz]

UPDATE:

I reread the tech pages, several more times, regarding the A4LD and it appears that the 87 A4LD and 94 A4LD are the same. I hope that I understand this correctly.

 

[ford4wd08]

I believe you can use the Floor shifter as long as you have all the linkages.

The column shifter is a cable correct?

 

[gaz]

ford4wd08,

Yes, I have all the linkage components for the floor shifter/manual transfer case. I have all the components for the column shifter too, I just don't want to use it/them.

Thank you for your response, I am relieved to hear that I have options.

I was really concerned that I may be facing a single vs dual solenoid issue.

 

[ford4wd08]

ford4wd08,

Yes, I have all the linkage components for the floor shifter/manual transfer case. I have all the components for the column shifter too, I just don't want to use it/them.

Thank you for your response, I am relieved to hear that I have options.

I was really concerned that I may be facing a single vs dual solenoid issue.

The only thing I can't remember is if the later A4LD's were drilled and tapped on the correct locations for the linkages for floor shift. Even if they are not, the bosses are most likely still there and you could drill and tap if need be.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Single solenoid/dual solenoid is more of an issue in terms of wiring, shouldn’t matter at all for the column or shifter. I don’t know if the shifter can be bolted up or not for floor shifter to a newer trans but my understanding is that it may just be a matter of drilling bosses (don’t think they will actually need drilled, possibly need tapped). Been awhile since I looked at the floor shifter setup, but I did rip the entire floor shifter assembly out of a junk truck with the intent of trying to convert something over to floor shift at some point

 

[RonD]

The 4.0l computer will for sure be for a dual solenoid A4LD, 3 wire connector on drivers side of transmission
1987 A4LD will be a 1 solenoid model, 2 wire connector
So the computer will set transmission code when it doesn't "see" the 3/4 shift solenoid connected


Floor or column shift wouldn't matter to transmission, just matters for the linkage

 

[gaz]

RonD,

If I understand you correctly, using the 94 computer with the floor shifted 87 A4LD, shifting will be controlled as though an 87 computer were there for 1/2 and 2/3 shifts but since 3/4 is hydraulic/manual controlled so the 94 computer will throw a fail code without a feedback signal ..)

Just isn't living without a yellow sticky on the instrument cluster???

 

[RonD]

Yes, that's correct, just the yellow light on dash ..........................if it has one, 1987 may only have emissions light

 

[ford4wd08]

RonD,

If I understand you correctly, using the 94 computer with the floor shifted 87 A4LD, shifting will be controlled as though an 87 computer were there for 1/2 and 2/3 shifts but since 3/4 is hydraulic/manual controlled so the 94 computer will throw a fail code without a feedback signal ..)

Just isn't living without a yellow sticky on the instrument cluster???

87 was the transition year for the 2 wire to 3 wire valve body. The 3 wire has the additional solenoid to control OD.

Confirm what your 87 had originally, but you're changing to a 94 system for a 4.0 and newer A4LD right?

*Edit: just reread the question.

The 4.0 A4LD is upgraded over the 87 2.9 A4LD. If given both in the same condition I would use the 4.0 version and adapt the linkage from the 87 to it vs the explorer cable shift.

 

[gaz]

ford4wd08,

My 87 A4LD has nearly 5k easy miles on a completely upgraded rebuild so I want to use that.

I am willing to run a tap into the 94 A4LD, to use it with the floor shift linkage. I do not know the full history of the 94's transmission, the vehicle has 212k I do not believe this tranny has seen all of them. I only that it I quiet and shifts nice. I will take a good thorough look at it tomorrow. Thank you for your thoughts.

Still looking good on the option forefront.

 

[ford4wd08]

ford4wd08,

My 87 A4LD has nearly 5k easy miles on a completely upgraded rebuild so I want to use that.

I am willing to run a tap into the 94 A4LD, to use it with the floor shift linkage. I do not know the full history of the 94's transmission, the vehicle has 212k I do not believe this tranny has seen all of them. I only that it I quiet and shifts nice. I will take a good thorough look at it tomorrow. Thank you for your thoughts.

Still looking good on the option forefront.

Understood. If your 87 is only a 2 wire A4LD, you can swap valve bodies to make it a 3 wire to work with the ECM of a 4.0.

I don't remember all of the upgrades the 4.0 A4LD had but I believe it had bearings I'm places that the original A4LD used bushings.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I would also highly recommend doing a shift kit and valve body mods and re-adjust the bands. After going through that on one of mine, I don’t want to have an un-modded A4LD again.

 

[ford4wd08]

I would also highly recommend doing a shift kit and valve body mods and re-adjust the bands. After going through that on one of mine, I don’t want to have an un-modded A4LD again.

100% agree on a shift kit. Easy install and the transgo is worth the $25 for the valve body diagram and instructions alone. They tech support is an email away and full of knowledge.

Made mine feel like a different vehicle.

I think the A4LD gets a bad rap for being put up to do things it was never meant to do. On a stockish rig with good cooling, it will give you good service.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

100% agree on a shift kit. Easy install and the transgo is worth the $25 for the valve body diagram and instructions alone. They tech support is an email away and full of knowledge.

Made mine feel like a different vehicle.

I think the A4LD gets a bad rap for being put up to do things it was never meant to do. On a stockish rig with good cooling, it will give you good service.

Pretty sure some of us are probably guilty of using these trucks a little harder than they may have intended us to