'98 F250 manual trans to automatic conversion

venom65 · #1 10-22-2009, 05:31 PM

My F250 Lariat is in need of a new clutch and I was looking into converting the Manual 5 speed to a 4R100 automatic from a '02 F250. A couple of things showed up as questions. I find out that Ford made several changes to the wiring harness between '98 and '02. Would I be better off getting a '02 wiring harness with computer for the 4R100 and disabling the PATS in the PCM? Would it be less work to get a '98 automatic PCM and just convert the wiring to match the '02 4R100 transmission? It looks like I will need to reprogram the PCM at least in either case. The alternative is to run two computers, one for the engine and one for the trans. I may be able to swap out the engine as well for a new version with less mileage. One concern is the guage cluster in the dash if I convert to the '02 PCM. How much different are the dashes? I can always go with aftermarket guages. I want to set this truck up for towing. I have a 18' closed "Box" trailer with 2 X 7000 lbs axles. I haul my '65 Cobra replica around in it. What other major considerations should I be aware of in attempting this type of conversion?

Thanks guys for any guidance you might be able to offer.
Bob
Venom65

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glc · #2 10-22-2009, 06:22 PM

Why don't you just replace the clutch?

venom65 · #3 10-23-2009, 08:16 AM

The real issue is this is the second clutch replacement I have gone through. My drive is an uphill narrow drive and requires me to slip the clutch a lot when I try to back up the truck and trailer into it's parking space. I have available a recently rebuilt 4R100 from a '02 F250. The cost of the transmission is almost equal when you look at replacing the clutch and flywheel since it had been resurfaced in the previous clutch replacement. Agreed the least effort would be required if I only replaced the clutch. I was hoping that someone on the board had a tech article that had done something like this before. I thought someone might have replaced an automatic transmission with a newer model, hopefully '98 with a newer '02 4R100. I saw the great information in the tech article about replacing a 4.6 with a 5.4 engine. That article got me thinking about the project. I have looked at just replacing the truck but the difference in price and the thought of having to finance the purchase makes me ill. I am looking for alternatives to my high mileage hauler.
Thanks for your reply
Bob

venom65 · #4 10-27-2009, 11:50 AM

After reading the "Klitch story", unless I can find a '98 donor vehicle to make the swap, then I will just have to replace the clutch and be done with it. I think I will be going out for a test drive on a new truck this weekend. I found a 2008 F250 Lariat with 19K miles on it. Gulp, better get accustomed to truck payments again. /;>
Thanks
Bob