4r100 Swap into 4.6
 

My stock transmission has started slipping and I'm prepping for a repair/upgrade in the near future. I've done a good bit of research on this. I have access to a Harley Davidson that got t-boned locally in the passenger rear bedside and totaled the truck. Frame bent beyond repair. Well anyways, he's selling me the interior and has the transmission for sale as well. I would have bought the engine/trans combo but he's using the engine in a cobra..gonna be mean but look strange..anyways..

I know I need a standalone controller for the transmission because ford never paired the 4.6 with the 4r100. Are there any recommendations on what I should choose here?

I also know I will need a new trans cross member, driveshaft, flex plate, torque converter and wiring, but on a 2wd pickup, what else do I need and how difficult would it be to get this to work?

Can the 4.6 converter not be used? I've heard that it would have a higher stall when paired behind a 5.4...

Don't quote me on that though.

Also why wouldn't a computer for a 4r100 equipped truck work?

4r100 Swap into 4.6
 

I've just heard that because ford never paired a 4.6 with the 4r100 that they wouldn't communicate and wouldn't work, even if there was a computer from a 5.4. I'm not saying it wont, it's just what I've heard.

Cant use a 4R70W converter with a 4R100. They have different splined input shafts. I wouldnt waste the time with a 4r100 especially behind a 4.6. Talk to Darrin Burch. He has built plenty of 4r70w's that have lived behind boost. You'll spend upwards of $1000 just to get a converter so the truck isnt a slug. You'll also need a Baumann TCS an harness for a 4r100.

I thought the 4R100 was used in the 98+ LD 250's, the Harley's and the Lightning's. Didn't some of those come with the 4.6?

4r100 Swap into 4.6
 

No they were all the 5.4. Lightning and later Harley's were boosted as well.

Carcrazygts, how much power can you reliably put through a built 4r70w? I have considered this, just had a 4r100 accessible and wanted more info on possibly running it behind a 4.6.

4R100
1999–2004 Ford Lightning (F-150 SVT)
2002–2003 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
1999–2003 Ford F-150 7700 Series (LEV - Low Emmissions Vehicles only)
1999–2003 Ford Super Duty
1999–2003 Ford Expedition (with 5.4 V-8)
2000–2003 Ford Excursion
1997–2004 Ford E-Series

Parts needed for the change:
1) 4R100 of your choice
2) New transmission crossmember (pick one up out of a navigator or expedition with the 4R100)
3) New 14" output shaft (4wd) with reluctor (shaft speed sensor)
4) Have a mechanic or someone who can replace take the tranny apart and put it back together properly to inserct the 4wd tail shaft
5) 4WD (output shaft housing/tailhousing) with sensor
6) A 4R100 tranmission harness
7) Your factory flex plate off a 5.4 or 4.6 with the 4R70w will not work, even with the 4 bolt navigator torque converter, so you will need a flex plate off a navigator if you choose that converter. If you want the lightning converter you will need the lightning flex plate which is a 6 bolt. Also note: if you do not have an 8 bolt crank you cannot use the flexplates mentioned above
8) You will need a 4WD 4r100 transmission pan, the lightning pan is not as deep.
9) Stand Alone Transmission Controller or a PCM from the vehcile you got the tranny from
10) New 7700 torsion bars (4.5" longer than your factory ones). Without these you cannot get the transfer case into place.
11) Tailhousing gasket to tranny
12) RTV to mount transfer case to tail-housing
13) Torque converter to match your Flex plate.
14) Gear shifter linkage
15) Range sensor bracket to attach linkage too. The 4R70 linkage is too short and the bracket is not the same.
16) Front drive line off a navigator or anything with a 4R100 in it.
17) Rear drive shaft will need to be cut or ordered.

I could keep copying and pasting, but take a look at this thread:

https://www.f150forum.com/f6/complet...-notes-267745/

4r100 Swap into 4.6
 

I've seen that, that's where I got a lot of my info. Very helpful thread, I was looking more into the stand alone trans controller because that thread is referring to swapping a 5.4 with the 4r70w with a 4r100, which would allow the use of a computer out of a truck with the 4r100.

Thanks for the input so far guys.

While I can appreciate the swap you want to do, it is a lot of time and hassle. Have you considered using a built version of your existing trans? Just asking.

4r100 Swap into 4.6
 

Yes I have, I just figured that since I know the guy and he's selling me the stuff cheap and since I'll have the cross member and basically everything I need off the old truck that I would ask for info on the swap. I'm not against a built 4r70w if it'll support my power goals. Just getting a feel for my options.