I can appreciate your dilemma. "New baby" is going to be a key term and
you're gonna think I'm a smart-a.s no matter what.

OK..... ya got the new rug-rat (mine turns 17 next month) and you're gonna
think "cheap" on the repairs to the ride because babies cost a lot of money
and, well, coin is a little tight. (A little advice, the older they get, the
more they cost. ) Now, while you're thinking this way (and not knowing the
climate where you live), you must remember that your wife and bouncing baby
girl/boy/other will likely be on the road in this thing..... on the road
alone.... on the road in inclement weather..... This is the point in time
where you need a reliable ride - sorry, guy... I ain't gonna add sugar
coating.

Your wife and child are the most precious things you will ever
experience.... they deserve the best (Lord knows I refuse to allow my family
to venture out in an unsafe or unreliable car...). My best suggestion is to
have a GOOD rebuilt installed by a shop that can supply references. If you
choose the DIY route, be excrutiatingly sure that you have flushed the trans
cooler .... alternating so that you have gone backflush/forward
flush/backflush/ forward flush and that the flushing agent is running clear
when we're done.

The A4LD is actually a surprisingly strong transmission..... it's biggest
downfall (IMHO) is that motorists will plunk the shifter in OD when this
gear selection is inappropriate. The overdrive band in the A4LD is
relatively fragile.... selecting OD in normal driving can eave the
transmission "hunting" and have the band chewed up in no time at all. The
crap coming off the detiorating subassembly will affect the rest of the
transmission.

HTH

My standard answer.... If it's acting up, but not making any funny
noises AND you can waste another two weeks before making the decision
about rebuilding it, buy a can of "transmission conditioner".  The can
will say something like "rejuvenates old seals" . Also get a  can of
STP, or Motor Honey.  When the transmission is warmed up (drive it
around in first gear for 15 minutes if you need to), put the
conditioner and the STP in it and then drive it for another 15
minutes.  If your problem was leaking internal seals you could get
lucky and this will keep it going for  a while.  It won't hurt the
tranny and if it doesn't help then it's off to the transmission shop.
--
Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:

"What, sir, is the use of militia?  It is to prevent the
establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty.  . .
Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
to raise a standing army upon its ruins."  -- Debate, U.S.  House
of Representatives, August 17, 1789  

The A4LD transmission, is the same one that was in
my 1993 Ranger. They are notorious for blowing the front seal. The strange
thing about my transmission problem was that it only leaked when under load
and hot. Driving around town unloaded, it did not leak. When I pulled the
transmission and inspected the seal, I noticed the rubber had separated from
the steel rim. It separated in such a way that light pressure caused the
split to be held closed, but under higher pressure, or when hot, the fluid
forced it's way past the seal. After I replaced the seal no problem.
However, I got rid of the truck and now drive a 2002 F-150, FX4, with the
5.4 engine. It's been a much better truck than the Ranger.
Ron