I was told by my dealer that only one automatic transmission was available with my 2000 F-150 4x4. After reading some of the posts here, I deceided to call Ford, they too said only one was available, the E4OD, not the 4R70W.

What are the differences in these three transmissions? Why can't I get a straight answer?

Is the E4OD or 4R100 available with the 7,700 GVWR package? There seems to be some doubt that the 4R70W is up to the task for the power of the 5.4 Triton. Durability is my main concern and from what I am hearing the 4R70W is not the best choice.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

The 4r100 transmission is used in the Super Duty trucks. I read somewhere that it was the replacement for an earlier transmission. This being my first Ford Truck, I was not familiar with whatever the 4r100 replaced so I can't say for sure. (The E40D, maybe???)
I do know the 4r100 is in Super Duty trucks - because I've got one.

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

The 4R100 is an updated E40D. It is available with the 5.4 in the F-150 only with the California emissions package. Otherwise you get the 4R70W

 

Yes SDDL-UP, I can confirm what J-C and StrangeRanger said. I have looked under at least 20 different trucks (XL, XLT, Lariat with 4.6 and 5.4) and they all had the 4R70W. Some of them had trailer tow packages and still it was the 4R70W. The only difference I noticed is, that the F250 Light Duty seems to get a different tranny. I could not fined at type identifier but it was different and had a drain plug in the tranny oil pan. It is most likely a 4R100. I think that 4EOD is just the "brochure name of the regular F150 auto tranny, because both the 4R70W and the 4R100 are 4(Gears)E(electronic i.e. computer controlled) Over Drive transmissions. That's why Ford told you there is only one tranny for your F150/F250 depending on GVWR.
P.S. As for durability I think the 4R70W can't be that bad, since my college has had two F150s and he beats the living hell out of them. Both were/are used as work trucks with a lot of trailer towing on dirt roads etc. and he has not had a single complained regarding the tranny on both of them. It should be added, that the guy does not no the word maintenance!


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1999 XL S/C 4x4, 4.6w, auto, LS 3.55
XL Appearance Group (Polished alloys, 40/60 bench, colour-keyed bodyside mouldings)
XL Value Group (Air, AM/FM Cassette)
Tilt & Cruise

 

Thanks you guys! The order code for the transmission in my truck is 44E, other posts have stated this is the E4OD. I think I will take it upon myself to gather as much information as possible and post an article about these different transmissions, what Ford is up to, and when changes were made.

Ford should really get better information out to the buying public than "it has a four speed automatic, nothing else is available". Mention 4R70W to the tech line and they won't have a clue as to what you are talking about. I'd bet dollars to donuts that the 7,700lb. payload package has the 4R100, they don't know anything about that ethier.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

The really crazy thing is that if you get the 5.4 in an Expedition, you automatically get the 4R100. It doesnt matter if its going to California or not. If you look at full size Ford 1/2 ton vans, they are just like the F150- they all get the 4R70 except the California models. It just doesnt make any sense. BTW, the order code for the 4R70 is 44U, and 4R100 is 44E.

 

Thanks Tenderpaw, I have heard that the order code for the E4OD is 44E, and that is what my order slip states. Most everyone here though says you cannot get the E4OD without the California emmisions equipment. My order sheet doesn't say anything about it being equipped this way. Is there a way to tell?
Are the only automatics the 4R70W and the 4R100? Did they do away with the E4OD all together?

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

There should be a sticker under the hood that talks about emissions. They used to put it on the engine, but now I think its in the front over the radiator. See if it says anything about California emissions. Also, the window sticker always says if you have California emissions. The best way to find which trans you have is to compare your trans to one in a V6 truck. If you have the 4R100, it is much larger than the 4R70. I don't think they really did away with the E4OD, as the 4R100 is really an updated version of the E4OD. They are very simular in appearance. I read recently in SuperFord Magazine that the truck version of the 4R70 has stronger clutches and heavier overdrive servo than the passenger car version. I don't know if this is true though because the Crown Victoria has the same 44U trans code.

 

Thanks again Tenderpaw, problem is that the truck is supposed to be here and isn't! You are right, the difference is obvious when you look at them. The 4R70W looks every bit as small as a C4, except with a much larger pan, I would even say the pan looks abnormally large on that small of a transmission. The 4R100, or E4OD (not sure which) is MUCH larger. I cannot believe that Ford is using the same transmission in the two wheel drive short box V6 as the four wheel drive SuperCab 5.4 V8 with the towing package! This issue merits a full investigation, and since not many others seem interested, I guess I'm the man that gets to do it.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

I tend to agree with your opinion about putting the lighter trans behind the 5.4. They should use the heavy duty model. But, in Fords defense, the trans behind a V6 is likely not EXACTLY the same as one behind a 5.4. Traditionally, the transmissions behind the larger engines have heavier clutches than the ones behind the smaller engines, even tho they are both the same model transmission. I hope this is still true today. What is really behind this is cost savings. The 4R100 has to cost more than the 4R70 plus there are additional costs of having engine and trans combinations emissions certified. If you end up with the 4R70, make sure you have an external trans cooler and service the trans oil and filter every 30-50k miles. I hear Ford uses synthetic trans fluid now, so make sure the service guys use synthetic when you have yours serviced. One the bright side, while they do use the 4R70 in V6 trucks, they also use it in 260HP Mustang GTs and they used to use it in 280HP Lincoln Mark VIIs. Its too bad you cant just order the trans you want like in the old days. It wasn't too long ago that you could get and E4OD on a 5.0 truck by simply paying a little extra over the cost of and AOD trans. Oh well. BTW, GM does the same thing. The 1/2 ton trucks get the 4L60 trans (light duty) on all engines and the 3/4 ton and larger get the 4L80 (heavy duty) trans on all engines. From what I hear, the 4L60 is not really suitable for heavy towing just from a hardware standpoint, even tho you see people towing with 1/2 ton Chevies all the time.

 

Ok, here is the transmission scoop for you all.

On a 1997/1998 F150/F250 LD, the 4.2L/4.6L trucks had a 4R70W (auto) or a M5OD (manual). The 5.4L had the E4OD.

On a 1999 F150 the 4.2L/4.6L trucks had a 4R70W (auto) or a M5OD (manual). The 5.4L has a stronger version of the 4R70W. Only the 5.4L California F150 trucks had the 4R100 trans, which is the replacement for the E4OD. The F250 LD had the 4R100 on all 5.4L trucks.

In 2000, the F250 LD has been renamed F150 with 7700 payload package. I think all F150s use the 4R70W for all automatic trannys, none of them get the 4R100.

The Superduty pickups all use the 4R100 for automatic applications. Also, all 5.4L Expeditions/Navigators get the 4R100 trans (from 1999 and beyond).

The E4OD is no longer around.

 

Tim A, thanks for the input! I called Ford again today with the VIN....they still couldn't tell me what automatic transmission it would have (I have the VIN only, truck is late). They did state that one transmission was only available with the California emissions, the order code is 44E. The other automatic is the only one you can get with non-California emissions equipped vehicles it has an order code of 44U. My truck was ordered from Washington state, and I was told that it would NOT have California emissions, but it has a 44E transmission code. I was also told that only one transmission was available, I can chalk that up to poor communication between Ford and their dealers. The tech line couldn't even tell me if the truck will have California emissions or not!?! Why does Ford even bother asking you your VIN anyway? I did not see ONE benefit from providing them this information! I am on a list for the "research team" to find me an answer, I will write them also and when I have sorted through fact and fiction I will see if they want to post it as an article here.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

The E40D was replaced by the 4R100. The new tranny has the ability to adapt for PTO provisions. A great sales tool for Ford in the Superduty series line of trucks. Thats the only reason..............mlaugh

BTW for all of you 4R70w fans I spoke to one of the tranny dudes at work and there is a lot of applications for that tranny. The Crown vic, the Mustang, the E150 vans and the F150 line of trucks........They are not created equal!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Each one has the basic design but the clutces, touque converters, and other internals are made for a specific application. IE: F150 for towing, etc. Hope this helps ......mlaugh

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

[This message has been edited by mlaugh (edited 10-29-1999).]

[This message has been edited by mlaugh (edited 10-29-1999).]

 

Hey mlaugh! Is the 4R100 available with the 7,700 GVWR (replacement for light duty F-250) package, or is even that one a 4R70W? My truck is still not here, so I am still waiting to find out for sure what's under there! Do the California emissions equipped vehicles now get the 4R100 instead of the E4OD?

Thanks!

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

Just adding my two cents, to help confirm your info. My 2000 5.4L, ordered from Ohio has the transmission code 44U, which I was told was the only one available.....

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2000 XLT Black Sport, Flareside, 2WD, Ext. Cab, 5.4L Auto. Other factory options: 3.55 LS, Class III tow, 6-way Captains chairs w/CD changer, Remote entry , and Slider window.

Mods: Undercoat, window tint, headlight & tail light covers, removed "Sport" decals, upgraded Triton tailgate emblem, and a Linex spray-in bedliner.

Wish list: ARE LSII lid, Flowmaster duals, K&N FIPK, and a Belltech 3/4 drop.