I have been reading the threads on here about aods. I know I will need to build a crossmember, get the tv cable for the kickdown, bend my headers a little. I figure on getting an aftermarket shifter. I also know to shorthen the driveshaft about an inch. Have I missed anything. Thanks for any help
frank...71 Gold...Loves his aod... makes trans cross member for em too,Give him a holler,probably tell you whatever you need to know about the swap...
i could have sworn one of his posts said he used the stock drive shaft (didnt need to shorten or lengthen) but i could be wrong
automatic over drive its the trans ford started using in the 80's when they phased out the C4 i think its a 4 speed with over drive. the stock C4 (automatic) in a maverick is just a 3 speed with no over drive
thank you that explains why i have not run into it yet on another thread. i have not looked up anything on an automatic tranny
the increased fuel economy and much lower cruising RPM of an over drive transmssion seems to be the biggest advantage of the swap. and the AOD had a small block ford bell housing so it'll still bolt up to an older 302
The AOD is an expensive substitute for the C4. I build both for street rods. If you want to get an AOD (newly rebuilt for the street) plan on spending $1600 and up. If you want to put in a stock AOD get one with very low miles from nothing older tha 1985. The 1993 is the best year for the AOD because it has most of the internal parts that you have to install in the older AODs to make them hold up over time. The throttle pressure cable is more than a kickdown on the AOD (it is on the C4 too- but that is a different story). The throttle cable controls the pressure that locks up the clutches and bands. If it is adjusted too light, you can burn the trasmission up in a week. If it is adjusted too tight it won't shift correctly. It has to be adjusted to 3-5 psi at idle and 75-80 psi at full throttle. No amount of expert building will save the transmission if the installation and adjustments are not done properly. The 30% overdrive only helps gas milage if you have a very low rear gear. The biggest advantage is the lock-up converter - that makes the AOD about 10% more efficient than the C4 when cruising at highway speeds. In town the AOD will give you the same milage as the C4 because it will only use the first three gears and the converter will not be locking up. If you spend a lot of time above 50mph and have 3.90 to 5.56 rear gears then the AOD is a good choice. If you are going to race your car then The AOD isn't a good choice any more because the racing versions of the AOD do not use locking converters - the lock-up feature is not strong enough to take the torque of an all out race run and the clutches will burn up fast (in the converter). A look at the prices may give you an idea of the differences: 350-400 hp AOD will cost $1600 plus the converter 400 - 450 hp C4 will cost $800 plus the converter and bell housing. A 600 hp AOD will cost $2600 plus the converter A 600 hp C4 will cost $1200 - $1300 plus the converter A converter for the AOD is 50% higher than the same converter for a C4. Plan on spending $400 up for a C4 converter and (for the same quality) about $600 for the AOD converter. There are ways to skimp and save - The C4 is really something any good mechanic can rebuild in his - her garage. It is very simple and just a matter of taking careful measurements as you tear it down. It takes very few special tools and you can build them with a hammer and drill press. The AOD is a very complex transmission that requires a lot of special tools to rebuild. It is not something that the average mechanic should attempt. I have invested 200+ dollars in the tools required to assemble the AOD corrctly and the valve body alone has more than 20 mods that need to be done to make it work well. Internal parts (even the "good" ones) need to be machined for lubrication to critical parts and to prevent wear in critical areas. Machining hardened shafts is not something that you can do with a file and a drill. A bit of history: The average rebuild (commercial) on a C4 lasts for 75000 miles (based on industry records (ATSG) over the last 35 years) The average rebuild (commercial) on the AOD lasts for just under 30000 miles. (based on industry records (ATSG) for the last 25 years) Now you are armed with the facts for the two transmissions. The choice is yours. Note: The prices quoted are from businesses that sell on the internet and will be lower than a normal rebuild in most cases. My prices a slightly different because I don't have the overhead - but then I don't usually ship transmissions either. PaulS Paul's Street and Strip Ford performance Transmissions Seattle, WA.
"350-400 hp AOD" ...that's what i have... ...a pic. of my motor below.. i gave $150 for my used (not rebuilt '84) AOD...installed....i'v had it about 2 years now. ...20+ dyno pulls... "400 - 450 hp C4 will cost $800 plus the converter and bell housing." my transmission shop quoted me...$650...to build my AOD when it needs it. this is what came stock with AODs... 1980–1986 Ford LTD 1980–1993 Ford Thunderbird 1980–1993 Mercury Cougar 1980–1993 Ford Mustang 1980–1986 Mercury Marquis 1980–1987 Lincoln Continental 1980–1983 Lincoln Mark VI 1983–1990 Ford Econoline 1983–1991 Ford LTD Crown Victoria 1983–1992 Mercury Grand Marquis 1982–1993 Ford Bronco 1980–1990 Lincoln Town Car 1980–1987 Lincoln Continental 1980–1983 Lincoln Mark VI 1984–1992 Lincoln Mark VII 1992 Ford Crown Victoria my last 900 mile trip....20.6 MPG ...LMAOD... ...someone is putting AODs in thier mav/comets...i have sold over 20 crossmembers on this board...:Handshake
Mine came out of a 93 E150 van that i bought for $200. I had it rebuilt for $1000, Bought the correct flywheel from National Parts Depot, a 93 Mustang dipstick & tube from my local Ford dealer, a cross member from Frank, and had the drive shaft shortened 1 1/4" and hooked up a B&M super cooler transmission cooler, and used Lokar cables.
What rear gears are you running? 20.6 isn't all that bad, but isn't all that great either, so I was wondering on this...
I couldn't tell you at the moment... mustang not going. I was just wondering on the gears, not trying to compare anything. But I did have a 390 FE with C6 and 3.70 gears that got quite well I thought, wasn't 20, but wasnt 10 either
