2001 Ranger Kubota V2203 transmission choice opinions.
 

My truck is a 2001 Ranger XLT std cab, step side bed, 4x2, base as base gets. It had a 2.5L with an automatic 4r44e trans. I want to stay auto because of knees and back problems. I have two transmission to chose from, 1989 GM 700r4 or 1991 Ford AOD. The 700r4 is in unknown condition, but it came in step vans behind the Cummins 4BT, I'm told. Mine came behind a 5.7L in a C2500 4x2 work truck. The AOD is in a running driving car with a knocking rod. My build is for fuel mileage and running around town. The Ranger has 4:10 gear in a 7.5 axle. I'm already looking for an 8.8 Exploder axle and new gears around 3.08. I'm running 30.5 inch diameter tires. The transmission ratios look like this from what I can find online, 700r4= 1: 3.059 2: 1.625 3: 1.00 4: 0.696 and AOD= 1: 2.40:1 2: 1.47:1 3:1:1 4: 0.67:1. I feel like the AOD has better gearing for the Kubota. I'm looking at getting close to the 2.5L hp and torque or just a little more from the Bota, 119hp and 146lbs @3000 rpm. That shouldn't be hard from the threads I've read. So which transmission would you go with? I already think I'm going with the AOD but I want some other opinions. Maybe I've missed something.

Also looking for a deal on a V2203. The one I was on my way to buy was sold out from under me. It was the "highly sought after" Bob Cat variant. I'm in upstate SC and can't travel to far, so shipping may need to be arranged.