What are the differences between 4R70, 4R70E, 4R70W, and 4R75 Trannies?

Is the 4R100 totally different?

How can I tell which one I have in my 2001 S-Crew?

Does the TC in all of these have drain plugs?....I heard somewhere in this forum that Ford stopped putting them on at some point.

 

4R70: Shorthand for any of the 4R70W, 4R70E, etc.
4R70W: The actual name of the transmission in your truck
4R70E: Apparantly Ford changed the name of the 4R70W
4R75E: An upgraded 4R70W (4R70E?) for the 2004 F150

The 4R100 is a completely different transmission. It is much larger.

Most Ford torque converters had drainplugs until early in the 2002 model year when they were deleted.

 

Thanks Mark for the clarification.

 

4r70 has small oil pan (like length of forearm). Also the dipstick will say to use Mercon V.

4r100 is HUGE with huge oil pan. The dipstick will just say to use Mercon.

 

Just wanted to polaridoo's post. The later models (I think '99+) of the 4r70w trannys say to use Mercon V. If you have an earlier model ('97 & I think '98) it will call for Mercon III.

Short & sweet:

4r7** : light / normal duty tranny

4r100 : heavy duty tranny

You can tell for sure by the transmission code on door jam sticker. I think "U" is for the 4r70w.

 

one thing interesting about the 4r75e....ford is going to completely seal this tranny from the factory...meaning no service is EVER needed!!!! this sounds like a bad idea?! doesn't it??

 

Meaning no trans fluid or filter changes either?...Not a good idea.

Meaning no dealer should work on them, just remove & replace and return the old one to factory?...Good idea.

 

 

Mike-
The only way to get the fluid out of the Torque Converter would to do a flush & fill. Most Trans shop & some oil change facilities can do this.

 

Sounds kinda like the ball joints on my truck, the ones that started sqeaking about the same time the warranty ran out. There was still some time left on the warranty, but guess what. I was told the warranty will replace the ball joints if it is a saftey issue, but considering it is only a sound issue and the ball joints are still tight they can replace the sqeaky one for $258 plus labor.