Have been wondering to go with the upgraded 4R70E which is now the 4R75E in a 2004 or wait for the new 6 speed automatic in a later model. The upgrades on the 4R75E could turn out to be some of the finishing touches it needed toward the end of its product cycle. On the other hand, the 6 speed automatic will be a new transmission that could offer better gas mileage, but have some issues that need to be worked out. Any ideas on this……..it is a consideration for anyone that is thinking about a 2004 or waiting for a later model.

Here is what Pickup.com said about the transmission upgrade: To complement the engine choices, the F-150 will be using the a new 4R75E automatic transmission, which is an evolution of the 4R70E currently on the ’03 model. The tranny needed to be upgraded to handle the extra torque of the new 5.4-liter, and features a redesigned torque converter, turbine speed sensor, increased microprocessor speed, and “smart” shift technology that learns the driver’s patterns and applies the shift points accordingly. The transmission case is sealed, so the fluid is lifetime and maintenance free.

 

The only models available with an eight foot bed are the xl and xlt. The only models available with leather and/ or floor shifter with full consol are Fx4 and Lariat.

What does a person do if he wants leather, eightfoot bed and full consol with captains chairs?

The good news is supercrew will have 6 1/2 foot bed.

Anyone think they will offer Fx4 package with xlt?

 

Super Crew will only have the 5.5ft bed.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/allnewf1...dex.asp?bhcp=1

 

Ford needs to get their info straight! I keep reading in one section of their site how they WILL offer the 6.5' bed, and then I see examples like that one saying they WON'T! What gives?

Chris

 

Since I started this thread - I don’t mind the converstaion about pickup box lenghts – however, I don’t know what it has to do with the 4R75E transmission. Since no one posted anything on the transmission topic, I guess – pickup box lengths it is!

Hope you guys get what you want in the lenght of a pickup box!

 

It would be my luck that Ford would introduce the 6-speed on the '05 and it would work brilliantly. But an eight month wait is all I can standz... I cain't standz n'more (Insert Popeye laugh here). So it's a '04 for me. If I'd gone ahead with my '03 order, I'd have a truck in about three more weeks.

 

Sorry we got your post off topic! As far as the transmission goes, it could be looked at 2 ways IMO. Either the new tranny could come out and deliver more power to the ground, and give us better gas mileage and be the greatest thing since sliced bread OR it could come out and have all kinds of bugs and be a big hassle for a few years. SO...I say don't base your decision on a tranny, instead base it on on how bad you want a new truck...

Chris

 

finerride,

Sorry about changing the subject on your thread, I was multitasking the other night and posted here instead of another place.

I had personally hoped for a five or six speed transmission with the shifter on the floor of a Lariat 4x4 with an 8 foot bed. Now I am going to have reconsider all of my choices including (unfortunately Chevy). The current transmission is an improved version of a proven product, it would be hard to go wrong with it. A new transmission, while it would obviously have advantages may create headaches after heavy real world use, so like another poster stated here; make your decision based on your current needs and not on what may or may not be available in a couple of years.

 

Nick D., FordMX & scooterjohn - Thanks for the infromation on your replys. I think it is sound advice since we can't predict the future of a transmission that isn't really out yet. Thought maybe someone with inside information on the subject, would post. The upgades on the 4R75E could be just what it needs to be a sound transmission. Nothing like over-time refinement!

Nick D. & FordMX - I really didn't mind the pickup box chat - I was just really interested on a little dicussion on the transmission. You sound like good men to me! Thanks!

 

If Ford is really clever they will design a future transmission to be able to bolt right up to the current drive train so that upgrading an existing truck would be a snap.

They could really make a haul in the aftermarket if the new trannys prove themselves. Planned and tooled properly, a switch over could be done in about four hours by a skilled mechanic. At least for the floor shifter units.

Figure about an hour and a half for removal, 15 minutes for a cup of coffee and a doughnut, an hour and a half for re installation and then fifteen minutes for a test drive and paper work.

 

I asked the "Ford product specialist" at the Detroit auto show about both of these topics:

i) He really doubts both the 5.5ft and 6.5ft box will be offered. He stated the engineers are fighting this option. I would not count on the 6.5ft box being available although he could not rule it out yet.

ii) I sked about the trans. The 6 speed is at least 2 model years away. It is the joint venture with GM (Actually built by GM!) So if we have problems so will they. Ford did not want to spend teh big $$$ for a new 5 speed for only 2 model years. He listed all the new features of the upgraded 4 speed, balh, blah, blah.
I wonder how close they are to having one that'll work. the new Aviator has a 5 speed auto. It has 300 hp and @ 300 ft/lb Tq. I guess this is 65ft/lb Tq less than the 3V 5.4L but thats not too far off. Couldn't they upgrade it a little bit? I guess not.

My biggest disapointmetn wit hthe '04 is the lack of a 5 or 6 speed. Although if it shifts much better than the current tranny than I'll be happy. This might be Nissans only real advantage?

 

Power Kid - Thank you for your post. The below information is were I am getting this 6 speed automatic transmission information from - in the complete article they don't really seem to be specific that the RWD 6 speed is part of the Ford/GM venture. They seem more specific that the front wheel drive 6 speed automatic is a car tranmission they are in a joint venture with.

Maybe it is as the product specialist said to you, that the RWD 6 speed is part of Ford/GM venture.

Another thing, if a 6 speed automatic was suppose to depute in
2005, as per the article, why would they upgrade the 4R75E for one year?

At this point the upgades on the 4R75E sound good to me and I am interested to see how the test reviewers rate it. However, it would be interesting to continue to try and find out more about the 6 speed.

Check this out and let us know what you think of this article. They say the source is Ford.

New RWD 6-speed transmission:

Ford will introduce an all-new rear-wheel-drive family of 6-speed automatic transmissions beginning in the 2005 calendar year. The new 6-speeds, featuring multiple variants for Ford Motor Company cars and trucks, will provide fuel economy improvements in the range of 6 percent to 8 percent.
These 6-speed transmissions use a very efficient architecture with reduced part complexity, low parasitic losses with comparable weight to many 4-speed automatics. This transmission will also have the ability to automatically shift into neutral during extended idle conditions, to reduce drag on the engine. When the driver presses the accelerator to launch, the transmission will reengage smoothly and automatically.
Sophisticated electronic control of the new transmission will offer several new features, including shift points that better adjust to specific driving conditions, and grade braking similar to that on the new TorqShift.

Full article:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/news/newsh2.html

 

If you cna wait, I think the 6-speed would be worth waiting for. If you cannot wait, the revised 4-speed would be fine, but much better with a Superchip. More gears is probably going to improve both acceleration and fuel economy.

 

APT – I believe your advice is sound. The 6-speed is the way to go if they get it right. According to the article I posted it is suppose to be out the beginning of the 2005 calendar year. I guess I would take that to mean in the fall of 2004 or a mid year update in 2005, if they are correct in their information.

It will still be interesting to see what some of the reviewers think of the updated 4R75E. However, the 6 speed will deliver from 6% to 8% increase in fuel economy and of course an improvement in acceleration, as you said. The gas mileage should improve a least one-mile per gallon.

My truck has miles left in it to wait for the 6-speed, but if I do, I doubt if I can wait for a second year on the 6-speed, just because I like the 2004 F150 for a lot of other reasons. So I would hope they would get it right the first time. If they don’t come out with the 6-speed automatic in 2005, I would most likely go with the 4R75E, should it be well reviewed.

Another issue brought up in this thread is about the RWD 6-speed automatic being a Ford/GM venture. I cannot find any information to support that. I did a fair search and the only automatic transmission venture Ford/GM has is for a 6-speed automatic for FWD cars. This was substantiated in several different articles online.

One last thing, the new 2004 Ford F150 should come up with some excellent safety ratings in the head on, side impact and offset tests from reading about the frame and body engineering.

 

Since we are talking about transmissions here......

I wonder what colors the exteriors will be offered in when the 2004 trucks are released???

LOL ............ just messing with you.

The new generation 5 & 6 speed automatics will be interesting but I would wait and see how they perform duarbility wise.

I don't work on much of the new trannys that come out til they are 5-6 years old. I wil interested in reading what the Ford techs have to say about them as the units come in for repair.