installed Transgo shift kit
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Acworth, GA
installed Transgo shift kit
Since my 98 F150 was in need of a tranny service, I decided that it would be a good time for a shift kit to be installed. After some reseaarch here, I tried to order the Bauman kit, but they wouldn't respond to phone calls, or email, so they lost a sale. I bought the Transgo kit from Summit Racing for $108 including shipping.
I put the shift kit in the truck yesterday. It was my first time going into an auto tranny ever. All I can say is that is was MESSY as hell. My drain pan only holds 8 quarts, and, well, I had to put 12 back into it if that tells you anything.
None of it was that hard at all, really. The valve body stuff was a little weird. My kit is for a A0DE tranny, mine is a 4r70w, though. So anyway, it came with a video, which was nice, but the video and the paper instructions said to do different things, and my tranny was even different from both of those. I mean it was mostly the same, but there were a few differences that were confusing. Like it would say to use a "white" spring, but there were three completely different white springs in the kit. It told me to assemble some parts, but didn't show me where to put them in, and never mentioned it in the instructions. I ended up figuring it out though.
One thing I did find interesting was that the solenoids and wires are just loose in there, uncovered, just taking a bath in tranny fluid. Weird, but I guess that's OK in an auto tranny.
The only real snag that I ran into was caused by my local dealer. They sold me a gasket and filter for my transmission for $100. They screwed up two ways: First, they gave me the correct gasket, so they knew which tranny I had. What I didn't like was that they didn't tell me that this $60 gasket was reuseable. The second screwup, I don't understand at all, they sold me a filter for a completely different tranny. How could they get it right for the gasket, and wrong for the filter? That must take some talent. The local Advance Auto saved my day, as they had the filter and gasket in stock for... $12.99. My only trip back to this dealer will be to return this stuff.
When I put it all back together, it worked just fine, so I gess I did OK. There were basically three levels of adjustment, 1 was for "trucks, taxis, and police cars" the second was for "stock converter hot rods" and the third was for "aftermarket converters". So I chose the middle one.
The truck now shifts like it was supposed to. It's not too rough at all, matter of fact, it feels normal. Ford puts so much into the "smooth" shift and ride characteristics, that the truck spends a total of 5 seconds shifting gears. Now it shifts normally. Used to, you would have to floor it to get it to change gears, now a quick 3/4 throttle stab will get it to downshift quite nicely.
Next mod for the truck, though is shocks. It needs a good set of aftermarket shocks.
-Jay
98 F150 SC 4x4 ORP
Transgo shift kit
Mobil 1 synthetic ATF
K&N filter
Mobil 1 10w30 synth engine oil
performance brake pads (I'll find the name brand one day)
33x12.50 Pro Comp AT's on stock ORP wheels
1" torsion bar crank
high lift jack, tow straps, and recovery strap
I put the shift kit in the truck yesterday. It was my first time going into an auto tranny ever. All I can say is that is was MESSY as hell. My drain pan only holds 8 quarts, and, well, I had to put 12 back into it if that tells you anything.
None of it was that hard at all, really. The valve body stuff was a little weird. My kit is for a A0DE tranny, mine is a 4r70w, though. So anyway, it came with a video, which was nice, but the video and the paper instructions said to do different things, and my tranny was even different from both of those. I mean it was mostly the same, but there were a few differences that were confusing. Like it would say to use a "white" spring, but there were three completely different white springs in the kit. It told me to assemble some parts, but didn't show me where to put them in, and never mentioned it in the instructions. I ended up figuring it out though.
One thing I did find interesting was that the solenoids and wires are just loose in there, uncovered, just taking a bath in tranny fluid. Weird, but I guess that's OK in an auto tranny.
The only real snag that I ran into was caused by my local dealer. They sold me a gasket and filter for my transmission for $100. They screwed up two ways: First, they gave me the correct gasket, so they knew which tranny I had. What I didn't like was that they didn't tell me that this $60 gasket was reuseable. The second screwup, I don't understand at all, they sold me a filter for a completely different tranny. How could they get it right for the gasket, and wrong for the filter? That must take some talent. The local Advance Auto saved my day, as they had the filter and gasket in stock for... $12.99. My only trip back to this dealer will be to return this stuff.
When I put it all back together, it worked just fine, so I gess I did OK. There were basically three levels of adjustment, 1 was for "trucks, taxis, and police cars" the second was for "stock converter hot rods" and the third was for "aftermarket converters". So I chose the middle one.
The truck now shifts like it was supposed to. It's not too rough at all, matter of fact, it feels normal. Ford puts so much into the "smooth" shift and ride characteristics, that the truck spends a total of 5 seconds shifting gears. Now it shifts normally. Used to, you would have to floor it to get it to change gears, now a quick 3/4 throttle stab will get it to downshift quite nicely.
Next mod for the truck, though is shocks. It needs a good set of aftermarket shocks.
-Jay
98 F150 SC 4x4 ORP
Transgo shift kit
Mobil 1 synthetic ATF
K&N filter
Mobil 1 10w30 synth engine oil
performance brake pads (I'll find the name brand one day)
33x12.50 Pro Comp AT's on stock ORP wheels
1" torsion bar crank
high lift jack, tow straps, and recovery strap
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 996
Likes: 1
From: TUCSON,AZ,USA
I ran into the same fun. Not to worry, the 4r70w is an AODE (not to be confused with the E40D).
I put all the parts of the TransGo in and also have a Superchip. I like the firm shifts.
------------------
97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks
I put all the parts of the TransGo in and also have a Superchip. I like the firm shifts.
------------------
97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks