I love my F-150, but I hate the "powder puff" shifts of my stock 2002 4R70W. You don't have to work hard to convince me that heat (partially generated by long shifts) is the number one enemy of automatic transmissions. Since I do a fair amount of towing, this stuff concerns me.
My question is this, what can I do to firm up the shifts in my truck without voiding my warranty? I've seen adds for the Hypertech Power Programmer where they claim you can do this. I've also seen stuff here on Factory Tech modifications that sound really neat. Don't these void my warranty though?
I now have 19,000 miles on my truck and plan on converting to synthetic ATF (probably Mobil 1) in the next few weeks. I've also considered adding the transmission cooler from the 5.4 with the towing package. (I have the 4.6 with the towing package.) What else should I do to extend the life of my transmission without voiding my warranty?
The truth of the matter is that any of these mods can/will void your warranty depending upon the dealer and your relationship with them. People will tell you what they may and yes there is the Moss Magnuson act but if you take a chip into the dealer or if they can prove you've had one in, chances are they won't stand behind you. I think that the programmers are great but if your only concern is the shifting of the trans the other features of the programmers may not interest you. The one that is easiest to hide should you ever have to take it in for a warranty would be a valve body (also probably the BEST way to firm up the shifts). These can be changed without any evidence of having been there. I am not suggesting that you try to pull something over on the dealer or get something you may not deserve, but if you are concerned about being denied warranty on something unrelated this may be an option. By valve body I mean products like Factory Tech's valve body or a Transgo Shift kit. I say this may be the best way to firm the shift because it doesn't simply increase line pressure but increases fluid volume as well. I'm a fan of both a chip and a shift kit working together but once the chip has been in it's hard to hide if someone is really looking to catch you.
Your best bet for firmer shifts and NO warranty problems would be the Micro-Tuner from SuperChips.
You upload the program into your trucks computer through the OBDII port inside the truck. It will give you horsepower gains as well as the ability to firm your shifts. You could talk with Mike from SuperChips to get better information.
The best thing about the Micro-Tuner is that one, you do NOT have to install a chip, two it is also a code reader, and third if you had to go into the dealer for warranty repairs you can unload the Micro-Tuner program and restore it to stock. NO, they can not tell it ever had a program in it.
You best bet is to contact Mike and ask him about it.
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
Truck & SUV Performance Specialists
National Distributor of Superchips
National Distributor of JDM Engineering Performance Parts for Lightnings
National Distributor of Magnaflow
(540) 862-9515
Email: MikePerformance@cs.com
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I’m not trying to be argumentative here, though I tried, I probably didn't do the best job of qualifying my initial response. Warranty seemed to be the crux of your post, that said I tried to take into account the various possibilities that could arise in a warranty situation. When the ECM or electrical system becomes the problem unloading the MicroTuner's program isn't a given. Granted I'm probably the minority here but I'm one of the unlucky few that has experienced this type problem first hand. On the other hand there are few circumstances that would prohibit dropping a trans pan and swapping out a valve body. As previously indicated I think the programmers are great and offer other additional benefits.
Thanks guys! As usual - good advice. I think I'm leaning towards the Factory Tech Valve Body since he really seems to know what he's talking about. I'm going to have the pan down in a few weeks anyway. Now all I've got to do is wait until they're available.
Any thoughts on changing the tranny cooler to the one from the 5.4 with the towing package? I've heard - but not verified - that it's both bigger and virtually plug in.
I've never compared the two coolers side by side. It stands to reason however that in this case bigger is better. You might consider a deep sump trans pan also. A few extra quarts of fluid is always a good choice.
With regard to "VOIDING" the warranty they cannot just void your warranty because you put aftermarket items in your truck they must PROVE that the aftermarket item was the cause of the failure at which point it is best to get a hold of the aftermarket manufacture and they will in many circumstances get involved to help you out . Mainly becasue if there product did cause a breakage they want to know about it so that they may correct the problem. I suggest if you want to firm up your shifts get yourself a Transgo Shift kit and have it installed at a tranny shop or if you are mechanically inclined do it yourself it really isn't as hard as it sounds. Now in saying that if the kit requires drilling to enlarge a flow port then I would highly suggest you let a shop do it. Check your local yellow pages there are usaully many shops that specialize in doing shift kits as well as qadding aftermarket tranny coolers. Do not get scared about voiding your warranty. The dealerships will only do what you allow them to do at least that has been my experiance with them.
My new 4R70W Main Control kit is now ready, I get $200 exchange for them, I have about a 7 day wait on them now, but it should be a stock item soon. My dealers don't have it yet, you'll have to get it direct from me.
Second, if you want to try the 5.4L tranny cooler, I have a brand new one here for a 2002 Lightning that I bought for some testing, never been installed, I only bought it to match the couplings and connectors, it's brand new, I'll let you have it for the shipping cost if you want it, I don't need it anymore.
Ok , I have been out of the Ford truck loop here too long. Am I reading this right, are you now doing 4R70W stuff too. I know you had a a job change ( i think) but for some reason I thought it was towards the new Super duty trans.
I'd like to hear more about this, If you do not mind. Is it a complete valve body swap your doing for $200. If so I might have to gather some $ up.
The transmission cooler that comes on the 5.4L trailer tow package is 1/3 larger than the one that comes on the 4.6L trailer tow package and 5.4L without the trailer tow package. I was given a price of $94.00 for it. I don’t tow, but I looked into this because I was wondering if the larger cooler might help. I decided not to go with the trailer tow package on my 5.4L, because I went with a regular cab, short box and 2WD. It only pulls it’s own weight. I may install a transmission temperature gage at some point and then again I may not, to see if I need a larger cooler here in NM. The larger cooler looks like it will fit right up. But, for sure I will go with Mobil 1 at 20,000 miles in the transmission. I know that Mobil 1 in engines really smooth them out after putting in at 5,000 miles.
KYFordFreak - Thanks for the information on the Mobil 1. I will look into that!
Before you dump that Mobil 1 ATF in , read the back of the bottle and your dipstick. The last time I checked the Mobil didn't meet the required Mercon V spec the 98 and newer require.
Thanks for both the information and the offer on the tranny cooler. I'll get in touch with you directly via your listed e-mail to work out the details on the cooler. I'll probably get in line for your full kit too. I'd also like to thank everybody else for their opinions and help. This is a great site!
Originally posted by KYFordFreak Before you dump that Mobil 1 ATF in , read the back of the bottle and your dipstick. The last time I checked the Mobil didn't meet the required Mercon V spec the 98 and newer require.
Yeah, I was looking at the mobil 1 atf and it says nothing about mercon V. I took this as not meeting spec. I would have bought it if it did.
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