I'm new to the F150 world. How do I tell what gears I have? Exactly where would the trans cooler be located on my 97 4.6 lwb ext cab.
Thanks in advance
Greg

 

look on your door plate (driver side) get the code under "axel" and under "trans". I or we can tell you what you have.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, ABM with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill.

 

If it's an automatic tranny- and I'm assuming it is since you ask about a cooler- then you have the 4R70W. The cooler will be in the lower left corner as you look into the grill of the truck.

Besides the sticker codes, there is also a metal tag on the rearend. It will have something like 331, 355, 355LS or some other 3-digit number stamped into it. That number is your axle ratio. The "LS" indicates limited slip. You'll also see another number (88 or 90) that indicates the size of the ring gear- 8.8" or 9".

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player: http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Nomo & MLaugh,

Thanks for the tip(s).

The sticker reads : axle/18 TR/U


The metal tags on the differential have the following numbers; S852A 0887F03
and another tag refering to synthetic oil.

Did this model come with an oil cooler?
Which transmission and or gears is/are considered better in terms of reliability and performance? I bought this truck used w/52k miles. The previous owner had only performed engine oil changes. I went ahead and had the transmission flushed and serviced. Was this a bad idea?

Thanks,

Greg





[This message has been edited by GFM99 (edited 07-27-1999).]

 

Greg,

If your truck came with the towing package "HD Electrical and Cooling" is included. Otherwise "HD Electrical and Cooling" is a separate option to obtain this without the towing package. Not many order the latter separately but I did with my '99 without the towing package.

A good move having your trans serviced. It's important.



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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK. Man, I got it all!

 

Hmmm- that synthetic oil reference would lead me to believe you have limited slip. It requires a "friction modifier" that is synthetic. But, I thought "18" was 3.55 and "19" was 3.55 w/limited slip. Better wait and find out from someone who knows for sure.

I prefer the 3.55 gears. I think they are a really good compromise between towing capacity and fuel economy.

There are only two trannys available for the 4.6L. An automatic and a standard. It's not like the old days when they had multiple automatics for the same engine (AOD, AODE, E4OD). You get a 4R70W with the 4.6L. It seems to be pretty reliable so far. Regular maintenance (flushing fluid & changing filter) will only help. My service guide says to do this at least every 30k miles.

I didn't think the 4.6L got an engine oil cooler regardless of option packages. Isn't the "cooling" part just a big radiator?

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player: http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

All ford truck axles are shipped with synthetic lube in them, regardless of limited slip or not.

As for trannys,
The 4.6L engine gets a 4R70W (auto) or M5R2 (manual). Not all trucks have transmission oil coolers, it depends on the package. All trucks get a power steering cooler, located on driver's side of truck in hole in bumper.

 

19 is 3.55
H9 is 3.55 w/limited slip
18 is the other one, that for some reason I can't remember the #'s to. Someone here will...

 

I just looked mine up this AM and the axle code 18 is a 3:08, in my opinion it is a little too tall for a good launch off the line, but does a good job on the highway in 4th for low speed passes and 5th for cruising. If I had a choice I would go for a 4:11 with a Detroit Locker or maybe an ARB air locker.

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1995 F150 4.9L 5spd 3.08 rear axle, Autolite Platinum Plugs, Exact Wires. Goodyear Workhorse Extragrip Tires,

 

Nomo:
My 98 model 4.6 has the towing pkg. The super cooling adds 4qt. to the radiator capacity, also, the towing pkg. on 2wd w/4R70W adds a larger, external transmission cooler.

 

See, someone did know for sure!

Now, it may not be one of GFM99's questions, but, how about an answer on the ENGINE oil cooler? I know you can get a tranny cooler w/4.6L.

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player.

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Only the 5.4L engine offers an engine oil cooler. The engine oil cooler is an oil to oil cooler, not air to oil. The engine coolant is circulated through a collar around the engine oil to remove heat. Look at your lower rad hose. If you see a "tee" with the 3 hoses coming from it. You have the engine oil cooler.

 

Which tranny comes on 5.4L?
Hoe can you tell?

 

The 5.4 can have either a 4R70W/AOD-E or a 4R100/E40D depending on year and emissinos controls. Easiest way to tell them apart is the trans code on your VIN sticker, the codes are somewhere in another posting. If you can't find the posting, measure the pan length. The 4R70W is about 15" long and the 4R100 is about 20"