Howdy all.

I need to fix my tranny. Started out that it was leaking from the front. Was told that I needed to replace the seals. Shifts fine, OD works fine.

Took the thing out, replaced front and rear seals. Put it back together and it's still leaking.

Took it to a couple of shops for estimates. $1200-1400 for complete rebuild. $800-900 if it's just the pump/converter.

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward a junkyard replacement.
Found a couple '98 @ ~ $275, a '99 for $300, a 2001 for $350.

Up to what year can I replace my 1997 4r70w , 2002? Will there be changes needed? Wiring different in later years?
Can I use the tranny out of a 5.4 (mine is 4.6) will it match up ok?


Suggestions?

Thank you!

 

Ok, 97 is an odd year to work with. Your choices are limited. A 96 didn't have the modular engine and the 98 had electrical changes. You have that 'one year' truck when it comes to the transmission for a direct swap.

But, you can get a transmission out of a newer vehicle and either swap out the internal electronics or repin the harness on your truck to work with that newer electrical setup.

And yes, the transmission from a 5.4 will not only work, it is actually preferred because it's stronger. Just make sure you make sure the 'donor' vehicle had the same amount of drive wheels. You also need to stay away from anything newer than maybe an 03 for a couple of reasons that relate to changes made that would involve a lot more to get that swap to work for you.

Good luck!
Darrin

 

Thanks for the reply!

That's what I was afraid of.

Repin the harness from the truck -> tranny? or repin the tranny-side? Any how-to guide on that bit?

Would the other way about be bad then? ie taking a 4.2 4r70w into a 4.6?

Thanks Darrin for sharing your knowledge!

Oh, and I'm confused on looking up the part number from the yard(s):
They will list something like:
A.T., 8-280 (4.6L), (4R70W, AODE-W), 4x2, ID F85P-FA (PKF-BB)
A.T., 8-280 (4.6L), (4R70W, AODE-W), 4x2, ID F85P-BA (PKF-AX)

What's the difference? Do I need to find numbers/letters on my tranny case to better identify?

 

The harness repin info is out there on the internet. You might have to search a little, but it's there.

Can't use a 4.2 transmission because it has a different bellhousing pattern than the 4.6/5.4 pattern.

On those numbers, unfortunately there isn't any decoder out there to know what the differences are exactly. Usually though, if you choose a transmission from the exact same model truck you have then you are ok. If you swap for another one then you might have to change something. Again though, no guide exists for that.

Sorry I can only help in such a limited way.

Darrin

 

Thank you. I did happen to find the re-wire, i think:
re-wire for later model tranny

That the right info?

Perfect, no need to look at 4.2s then, thanks!

Are you kidding me?! This is a ton more info than I had yesterday.

Thanks again!

 

I've found a 2001 F150 4r70w from a salvage yard.

This should work in my 97 F150 if the wiring harness is repinned?

I'm finding a few conflicting issues with explanation on the wiring.

one comparison has these:
1998 and up
1997

Then TCCoA has:
http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny...n/page16.shtml

 

I can tell you that if they haven't corrected it then the info on TCCoA is incorrect. I will have to see if I can compare the other to what I have, if I can find it. LOL

Darrin

 

Darrin,
Got a Question, seems You know quite a bit about these Trannys.

Got a 1998 Expedition XLT with 4.6L, Tranny is Bad, Code "U", so not sure if it is AODE or 4R70!

Bought a 1998 Expedition for Parts, Eddie Bauer, with 4.6L, Good Tranny, Code "E", Believe 4R100!

I guess the Engines are also Different, 4.6L, but one is Winsor or something???

I got Both the Trannys Out along with the Wire Bundles for Each.

Can I just Plug in the 4R100 from the Eddie Bauer to the XLT, without any pin swapping? It looks like the connection box are the same.
Thanks!!

 

Something isn't right there, so lets go a different direction.

Do the transmissions look the same or is one a lot bidder than the other?

 

To the best of my knowledge, the 4R100 was never paired with the 4.6L in any vehicle. But a 5.4L looks just like a 4.6L...

 

No!
Bought for Parts/Tranny, the Eddie Bauer expedition (1998) with 4.6L, thinking of course, it should have the same tranny as the XLT expedition (1998) with 4.6L.

 

Since I have both Trucks, I have both Wiring Harnesses.
They both look similar.
Both Trannys have the speed sensor on the Tail housing.

I just have a concern about computer stuff might not work correctly, even though I would hope that it can work.

 

There's a lot more to it besides wiring harnesses. You cannot control a 4R100/E4OD with a 4R70W PCM. VERIFY which 2 transmissions you do in fact have.

The 4R70W has a relatively rectangular pan. The E4OD/4R100 pan looks like the state of Utah. If both Expys are 4R70W and same drive system (2wd or 4wd), and same year the transmissions are fully interchangeable with no wiring harness swap needed.

 

Yeah, the bad Tranny out of the running expedition is the smaller 4R70W!

The Good Tranny out of the Parts expedition is the larger 4R100!

So, I also have the PCM that goes with the 4R100!

But, are the PCM's programmed to VIN or something??

Guess the other issue is, both expeditions have 4.6L engines, but the Eddie Bauer has all 8 coil packs.

The XLT has two coil packs, one per head 🙁!

So, pretty sure the PCM's will not swap either😭

This Stupid EPA CRAP🤬

 

If it is a 98 and has 8 coil packs, it's NOT a 4.6, it's a 5.4, unless someone replaced the 5.4 with a 4.6. The 4.6 didn't go COP till 2001. Actually in 98, it was a E4OD, a 4R100 replaced it in 1999, it's essentially the same.

Yes, PCM's are programmed to VIN. In order to put that E4OD into the 4.6, you will need wiring harness, PCM, driveshaft, transfer case if both 4wd, and a COP conversion. NOT easy or cheap. If they are not both 2wd or both 4wd the swap is not possible.

See if you can sell the E4OD and pick up a proper 4R70W or use the $$$ to rebuild yours.