What is the best transmission for a Ford Taurus

[tazzman2006]

My son has purchased a used 1994 Ford Tarurus GL with a 3.8 V6. The transmission is out of the car and he is looking at replacing it with one from a salvage yard. The current transmission is a AXOD. I have been told the AX4N is a better transmission and that is what should have been in the car. Does anyone know which transmission is better and why? Or is there a better one that he is not currently looking at? What is the correct application for this car?

Thanks,

Tazzman2006

[alex boss]

I doubt you want to undertake trying to put a different model trans in the car. The computer controls most of what happens in the engine and trans. Any change would require changing several sensors and controls. I have not heard of anyone being successful. INMHO get the correct trans per the VIN number and save lots of headaches. Search on here for which VIN number tells you which trans. You'll find it. Good luck, Alex

[tazzman2006]

Originally Posted by alex boss

I doubt you want to undertake trying to put a different model trans in the car. The computer controls most of what happens in the engine and trans. Any change would require changing several sensors and controls. I have not heard of anyone being successful. INMHO get the correct trans per the VIN number and save lots of headaches. Search on here for which VIN number tells you which trans. You'll find it. Good luck, Alex

Alex, my vin number is 1FALP524XRG102230. I am still not sure where to look for the correct transmission. I dont know the history of the car. I am wondering if the AXOD is the correct transmission. Somewhere on the internet I found that this transmission was only listed for a 1993 and older model and that the AX4N was for the 1994 model? Any ideas?

[TaurusKing]

Look on your vehicle certification label, should be on the left door pillar.. you'll see the trans code, my book lists the letter (T) as (AX4S) far to the right followed directly by the spring codes, so basically it'll be five letters in a row, trans, front spring L & R, rear spring L & R. something such as TBBBB,, I would replace it with the correct trans, swap may and probably will create too many headaches, who knows if it would ever work correctly?? I don't know your trans issues, I do know there was a problem of some sort with a piston that would fracture and could create havoc internally, I had read somewhere it was made of plastic to save a few cents for Ford, newer ones might be aluminum or steel??? I don't know, my kid's 93 has around 135k miles with original AX4S trans, a flush or two, still working fine..

[drdisque]

if you have a '94 you have an AXODE

You can't run an AX4N unless you convert your wiring system to OBD2.

[alex boss]

Originally Posted by tazzman2006

Alex, my vin number is 1FALP524XRG102230. I am still not sure where to look for the correct transmission. I dont know the history of the car. I am wondering if the AXOD is the correct transmission. Somewhere on the internet I found that this transmission was only listed for a 1993 and older model and that the AX4N was for the 1994 model? Any ideas?

Sorry for not getting back earlier- had to watch some football game!! The last two posters have you going the the right direction, AXODE or ax4s as it is known, too. My 96 has an ax4s. Don't pay attention to the letters stamped in the pan, Ford did some things to save a buck. Weak trans, but how long will the car last?? By the way, you can find these trans on ebay, used and rebuilt. Best of luck, Alex

[Millermagic]

AX4N is stronger internally. But one of the main differences is it is not synchronous and does hot have alot of unnecessary shifting. AXOD and AX4S will go 1-2-3-4 or 4-3-2-1 where AX4N can go 1-3 2-4 4-2 3-1