How much to rebuild a 2002 Ford explorer transmission

You can buy and have installed a replacement transmission for 1400-1600, these are same part # transmissions that have already been rebuilt. They generally come with a warranty of 12-24 months. A scrap yard can also install a used transmission with a short warranty (like 3-6 months) cheaper, but these are not rebuilt transmissions, just used ones from a wrecked or salvage vehicle. Getting your own transmission rebuilt is also possible of course, but will take longer and will cost more, as you're asking the shop to lay your car up longer.

If you plan on keeping the car I would go with a Ford rebuilt transmission. Ford gives a 3 year unlimited mile warranty on theirs but it will cost in the neighborhood of $4,000 installed.

Please DO NOT buy a rebuilt transmission. You're asking for trouble. Rebuilders use the cheapest, worthless, most good for nothing parts they can get their hands on, install them, then pass it on to you with a two-year warranty. And it will last for two years and one day. It's called Planned Obsolescence. You're better off buying a used factory transmission.

Dear F_O_R Why in God's name would you buy another Ford transmission when they installed the biggest piece of junk (as a transmission) in the vehicle when it was new?