I'm still farly new to Ford products; what's typical life of the AT in these trucks with the 5.4L V8? My new F150 shifts very smoothly most of the time, and that worries me a little. Transmissions that shift more firmly generally last longer. Is it worth looking for an aftermarket item to improve the shifts?

 

That depends on SOOOO many things. I've been told Ford doesn't have the greatest of trannys. I've known some Ford trannies going out at 15K. I have a friend with a built Lightning and he had the stock tranny for 55K miles. He just had a racing tranny built for it ($3500!). His tranny wasn't bad, he just needed a stronger tranny for 700 rwhp. I've been told a chip or programmer will help shorten up the tranny shifts. I'm running a chip in mine. My other Ford has a programmer. On my truck I added a tranny cooler and deeper Mag-Hytec tranny pan. I'd like to see what others respond to on this cause I'm all for learning anything else I can do.

 

Change trans fluid at regular intervals and add a trans cooler if the truck doesn't not already have one. Also, change coolant according to the owners manual.

 

It does depend on many things, as Blondie said, but mainly it depends on how you plan to use your truck. Are you planning on towing frequently? I would say that is one MAJOR determining factor as to how you maintain the tranny. Read your Owner's Guide and your Scheduled Maintenance Guide and FOLLOW them. They will tell you how often to service the tranny and what fluid to use. I'll bet it calls for Mercon V fluid. Also, don't waste your money putting additives in your tranny. It could actually do more harm than good. Mercon V has certain chemical properties about it that could be adversely affected by additives you put in it. If you want to know more about that I'm sure there are a few engineers that know enough about Mercon V to put you to sleep. These trannies are built better than some here will say. Otherwise, you would not be able to do the heavy-duty things with your truck that most cars are not designed for. The new Ford trannies shift smoother because...well, they were designed that way. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

 

Auto tranny are suppose to shift hard, manufactures make them shift smooth so you don't get whip lash going to the store. It's fine the way it is just keep the fluid clean and cool, I have a 90 f250 460 c6 auto trans with 570000 miles on it trans and engine are original, most of it life was pulling a 14000# fifth wheel. Can not say for sure but a 10000 miles it was swithed to amsoil ran nothing but.

 

All the electronic transmissions are controlled by the computer and the various programing in each version of the PCM.
During upshifting, there are various things that go on.
The engine power is cut, the pressure in the trans is controlled making the smoothe shifting you feel. The computer keeps track and tests all the functions as a way to tell what a fault is, in that control system and sets code.
This can be modified by programing and by transmission valve body changes.
From here it's up to you to either do a valve body mod or go with a programmer but not both if you want to feel it shift differently and be satisfied.
The valve body mod is the better way to go. There are reasons why but well let that for another time.

 

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And I thought my 170,000 was pretty good on a 4R70W....

My wife keeps asking me how many miles I can put on my truck. I said...Till it dies or I do.... Knock on wood, it's the truck first...

 

C6s are the absolute toughest ford auto trannys ever made. Like the IDIs and the 300six, they will go on forever.

Heat is the number one killer of any auto tranny. Keep the temps down with coolers and good fluid, you will have no problems with anykind of use. How to know the temp? A 50 dollar aftermarket gauge is very cheep insurance for these very expensive to rebuild slushboxes.

Adrianspeeder

 

Is the C6 still manufactured? Which transmission is in the '05 5.4L Supercrew?

 

The last year for the C6 was 1996.
The trans in the '05 5.4L is the 4R75W.