Next week Im going to drain the pan and replace the filter in the transmission of my 2002 lariat with the 4r70w. Does the bell housing have an access hole for draining the converter and does the converter have a drain plug to drain it? This is my first experience with the 4r70w. Also if anyone has any tips for my project this weekend Im all ears. Thanks

 

I have the same tranny and I'm pretty sure when i changed mine there was a plug in the Torque Convertor. Just pull off the rubber access plug and rotate the convertor until you find it.

Edit: If you don't go to Ford for the replacement filter, double check the gasket shape in the parking lot at autozone. It took me 3 trips before those idiots got it right luckily i didn't drain it first. Remember the fluid type is Mercon V, and your gasket on the truck should be a bitchin resealable rubber kind, so don't put on that cork crap, or over tighten it. I'm also pretty sure that it takes 13 or 14 quarts so double check the owner's manual first, or give 12 quarts start it and check the level on the dipstick and add accordingly.

 

I never use the gaskets from the filter kit ,just the factory one .Bought the truck in 98 and atleast change it every year .factory gasket is still good

 

In 01 the drain plugs were deleted. Any converter built before then will have a plug.
Alan

 

Yup, my '02 doesn't, some '01s do, some don't.

Adrianspeeder

 

Actually all 2001s have drain plugs, and the early 2002s have them, too. Ford stopped installing drain plugs in August, 2001, when they had already built some 2002s.

 

Dang, swore I read an '01 without a drainplug.

Adrianspeeder

 

I've seen it all. 01's without them 02's with them. The date the vehicle was built really doesn't matter on the converter. Plus there is the variable of the piece togethers that were rejected from the line the first time and redone to be sent through later.
Alan

 

Just to confirm, if there is a plug on the bottom of the inspection plate I should be able to drain the converter, if not than a few times draining the pan should be good to get most of the old fluid out.

 

No. All transmissions have a plug in the bottpm of the trans for access to the torque converter. Only some of the torque converters have drain plugs.