Autozone website has a picture of the Data Link Connector. In addition, it also has some pictures for minor repairs.

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/cc/6d/0900823d801bcc6d.jsp

The basic Pocket Actron 9125 scanner costs about $75 (although their website lists it at a little higher).
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16298

To download an owners' manual (free) go to www.fleet.ford.com.
As for repair manuals, I have a Ford CD, Haynes Manual and can usually borrow the Chilton from the library if necessary. The Ford CD has schematics only. The Chilton from my library also has schematics only. Haynes has pictures and so does the Autozone site.

If you don't want to spend too much money on the transmission (yet), you may want to consider a transmission flush (which should cost about $100 at an indie or $160 at Ford dealer). Note that your CEL P1780 is "Transmission Control Switch out of self test range". So the ATF flush is a long shot but you never know.

"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles