I have a Chev Venture van right now that has a transmission that is on it's way out. I've looked at other vans but it seems like they are all prone to transmission failiure. So I decided to buy a truck now. I'm getting a 2003 Ford F-150 2WD extended cab for a 24 hour test drive tonight, it's got 75,000miles on it. I was wondering if this truck is also prone to tranny problems? I don't want to buy something else that will cost me $1500-$2000 to fix. It has the 5.4L engine in it and the truck looks really good other wise, now rust or dents anywhere. I had this style of truck along time ago for a company truck and really liked it, so I hope this will be okay.

 

i had a 2001 f150 4x4 with a 5.4 and 135000 miles and never had a single issue with anything on it, just a set of ball joints

 

Thanks for the reply. I really like the truck so I think I'm going to get it. In the meantime I called some of the guys are work that own these and they are very happy with them as well.

 

Ford automatic trannys are no different than any others - it could last you 300k or it could die tomorrow. There is no *history* of chronic problems if it's treated right and properly maintained, unlike some others. For peace of mind, if you buy it, I'd do a full fluid replacement, you don't know if it's ever been done before till you drop the pan or there are maintenance records.

 

That is what I was looking for, the Chevy Venture van has a long history of chronic tranny problems and that was what I wanted to avoid. The tranny shifts hard and fast in this one so I think it's good, fluid looks like new too. Did the 2003 5.4L trucks have a 4 or 5 speed tranny? I think it's a 4 speed but I read somewhere that some had 5 speed autos too?

 

Check your door tag but you probably have a 4R70W and it is a 4 speed auto (or technically a 3 speed auto with overdrive).

 

all 2003s got the 4R70w unless its a 7700 package truck (7 Lug heavy duty F150)

my first 03 went 70k with zero problems, with a Jmod (shift kit) then the truck was totalled.

my second 03 screw has 76k with no problems so far, and ive put 2k on it since i bought it


there's a guy that just posted about his 1997 F150 with 360,000 miles with original motor and trans

 

They are great trucks and the transmissions are actually quite a bit better than average if taken care of. Heck, sometimes even when not taken care of. LOL

Darrin

 

I have a babied, and maintained '98 f150 with just over 100k. Trans needs a rebuild!!! My neighbours Ford diesel 4x4 with less miles than mine, fluid changed regularly is getting it's 2nd rebuild done as I type this.....$4000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They sure don't build 'em like they used to! My next truck will be a standard again!

 

don't ever confuse a guy with those words. it's a four speed. period. imagine telling a guy your five speed car is a four speed with od, or your six speed t56 is a four speed with two od's. you would sound like you belong in grade four. the 4 means four speeds the r means rear drive, the 70 is the torque rating, the w means wide ratio.

 

The 260 hp 5.4 in the 97 to 03 Ford F150's got the 4R70W. If you got the Lightning supercharged engine, you got the 4R100 which is a heavier duty transmission.

If you buy a 2004 and up 5.4 with 3valves/cyl. and 300 hp, you get the 4R100 transmission and the 4.6 engine gets the 4R70W.

The 2000 F150 Supercab 5.4 4x4 (with 4R70W)that I bought new had 105k miles on it when I sold it to a friend in Aug of 05. It now has 145k miles on it with no transmission or other problems.

I just bought a 2002 F150 Supercab Lariat FX4 with the 5.4 260hp engine and the 4R70W with 69k miles. I shall see how it holds up. Hope I don't sell this one below 250k miles.

 

Nossir - 4R75E.

 

Okay, I assumed it was a 4R100. I only knew the transmission was supposed to be a heavier duty trans than the 4R70W

What is the difference between the 4R100 and the 4R75E? Or is it a beefed up 4R70W?

According to the manual with my 2002 all 5.4 engines in 2002 got the 4R70W trans except for the Lightning which got the 4R100. It recommends Mercon V for the 4R70W and Mercon for the 4R100?

 

The last year for the 4R100 was 2004, and that was only in the 250 and up gas engine trucks.

It's easier to say what's the same. They both are four speed automatics. The 4R75E is a beefed up 4R70W.

In 2002 MERCON was the specified fluid for the 4R100. In 2006 Ford changed MERCON V to be compatible with the 4R100 and dropped MERCON. MERCON V is now the right choice for both transmissions.

 

Doesn't three speeds plus overdrive equal four speeds? Maybe that's why it's called a four speed automatic.

We could call it a one speed direct drive (1:1 ratio) transmission with two underdrives and one overdrive. That makes more sense than calling it a three speed with overdrive.