I have been driving since 2004. In that time I've had 3 Rangers and 4 Explorers, most purchased older and with some miles.
5 of those have had automatics. Despite the reputation, I've had nothing but great service from A4LDs, a 4R55E, 5R44E, and 5R55E. Super reliable transmissions in my experience.
Never had a cylinder head off, never had an engine or transmission removed from a vehicle.
Only one bad apple in the bunch, a 1994 Ranger 4x4 that already had a hard life before I bought it. That truck left me stranded multiple times. It was a manual, but needed a transmission when I sold it among other things. I don't regret buying it, I did drive it all over and even on long trips, and it was great in mud, but it was time for it to become someone else's project.
Never been stranded by an Explorer, though the 234k mile 1997 got close when the fuel pump went out. Thankfully it gave up in my driveway. My $250 junkyard save 94 Explorer was a great truck that more than paid for itself in a bad wreck. While my 94 2 door Eddie Bauer that replaced it is a bucket list unicorn or whatever, that 94 XLT was a really great truck. I watched its Copart auction after the wreck, and it sold for more than I paid for it despite having a trashed frame and radiator pushed back. It was run and drive though...tough ass truck.
Currently I still have my 97 Explorer, second 94 Explorer, and 02 Ranger that I have owned almost 14 years. The Ranger is semi retired, but still starts right up when I drive it every couple of months, it's around 256k miles.