I'm going to try and replace my transmission myself. Mechanical advice wanted.

[sandyshores]

Hello everyone,
I just bought my first Ranger. It's '89 that's in great shape and has 133K. Its a 2.3 4cyl with the A4LD automatic transmission with no cruise control. I'll cut right to the chase and say that after much reading here I find that I'm going to try and replace my automatic trans. It's got some minor issues that I wont get into into here, but since I have easy access to a U-pull-it salvage yard place here in Evansville Indiana that only charges $40, I'd really like to try and do it myself. That's a considerable savings from the $250 that they charge for one thats pulled(and tested). Note: I know it's best to go with a rebuilt one but at this point in time I can only hope to find one with low miles as I have very limited funds. Mainly though the reasing for posting here is in hopes of soliciting general mechanical advice on the overall procedure.

Yes, I'll be accessing any Chilton/Haynes manuals available, but wanted to hear from folks who've already performed this job before and see if there's anything important that you'd like to give a heads up on. I'm assuming that the procedure wont be much different than doing the reverse of the removal process that I'll be undertaking in the junkyard(generally speaking) but I do have several concerns. The first of which is compatibility.

1. I went to the salvage yard yesterday as I always enjoy a good walk through and found that the u-pull-it yard has many A4lds, but most all of which are on the 2.9 or another motor than the 2.3. ...plus I find that they almost all have cruise control. The guy at the counter asked if I had 2 or 3 connectors on my trans whereby I said 2. I assume that since I dont have cruise I have only 2. He gave me a compatibility printout that limited me to harvesting any Ranger between 1985 and either 1992? with the 2.3 motor, and/or an '86 Aerostar. So I went through yesterday with no luck. I read here at the forum that there will be bellhousing compatibility problems if I stray from his list so I thought maybe I could pull the best trans and then maybe find the correct bellhousing for my 2.3 from somewhere else?...Ebay, craigslist whatever? I assume this is possible but wonder about the mechanics involved regarding the torque converter. Is this feasible? Ive never messed with an automatic trans before. Im also assuming that the cruise control, or lack thereof on my car wont pose a problem. Any thoughts here?

Secondly, I was wondering if regular ramps will provide enouch clearance, or will jackstands be mandatory? I'd like to use just ramps. I was also planning on using 2 floor jacks once the car is up; one to support the engine, and the second to support the trans from under the pan. Is this the best way to do it? Then after disconnecting everything(cables, linkage, lines, wires, bellhousing, driveshaft, crossmember) I'd just lower the 2nd jack with the trans on it.

Any other things I should be concerned about here? Driveshaft or u-joint issues? Take care not to do "x"....or be on the lookout for "y"? Are there any flywheel or torque converter alignment issues when reinstalling the "new" one? Any input is greatly appreciated.

much thanks