Hey guys I don't typically start a thread I try to hunt down answers myself but in coming up dry for once and it's quite frustrating


- Hear me out, So my 02 5.4l with 170K Decided she would take her last steps with the stock 4R70W. This part wasn't shocking as its been on the way out for the last 6 months or so when I drained the trans and replaced the filter. Pan was particle free but did have some sludge buildup. Fluid wasn't burnt either. But I know something is definitely wrong with it. It started out as a "band slip" that would happen only sometimes going up an incline I would lose the forward gear and it would spin freely for 500 or so RPMS until it caught again, this continued for the last 6 months until I was only able to get it into gear by punching the peddle until it would "clunk" into gear or by dropping it down into 2nd and then back up again after 100 yards or so. And a distinct growl has now started to come when the trans slips out of gear.

So I have decided it's time for a new trans and a TQ. I'm about to pick up a fresh stage 1 built 4R70W that was never picked up by the customer and there for being sold for the same as the rebuild (800 after the core return).


My question / questions...


1st ) Just because the trans is a 4R70W doesn't mean it will bolt up perfectly does it? The builder says it will work no problem but I poked around and got some different views that while they bolt up the same the output shafts and teeth and so forth could be different? And that the TQ for a 4six trans is different than that of a 5.4l trans, which leads me to worry that without knowing if this trans came out of a 4.6 or a 5.4 would it work and what year it came from.. I searched the Google machine for an hour and wasn't able to pin down exact specs of the current 02 5.4l 4R70W. Everywhere just said "you have a 4R70W"

2) since I'll be replacing the trans I'm going to go ahead and replaced the TQ while I'm in there. I should mention, that while know a good amount of things about cars and trucks I do not known much about the auto trans as its always been the "no way I'm digging into that "part" type of deal" can someone shed some light on what kind of stall TQ I would want with a mildly built 4R70W? There's all different options out there, I'm guessing I should stick with the Oem stall as my motor isn't built. (Yet)

- I appreciate any and all help you all may be able to give. Thanks guys.

 

Sorry to hear about your 4r70w . However, I don't believe they had different bolt patterns, don't quote me on that but I'm not sure, I do know they had 2 different kinds of 4r70w. There is a number stamped on the top of the bell housing and if it's 52 (I believe, the other for the 4.6 is 32 stamped on the top of the bell housing) then that's the trans for the 5.4. my buddy swapped his out with one from a 5.4 ( he had a 4.6) and ended up needing a new trans harness to get the trans out of limp mode. So either way it will work, you may just need a new transmission harness from a 5.4 cause the connectors match up. And as far as your converter goes, that's more a preference thing, I'd personally stay with factory but you can ask more guys on here who know more about stall speeds then I do. Haha , hope this helps.

 

The trans harness issue is more than likely because he used a 97 trans in a 98+ truck, or vice versa. The 97's are different.

 

Transmissions bell housing and bolt pattern is the same between modular engines (4.6L/5.4L)

1998-2000 transmission internal are the same and for most cases are interchangeable.
2001-2003 transmission internals are the same and for most cases are interchangeable. the main difference is going to be the shift arm/shift lever depending on the vehicle (floor shifter Vs column shift)

2004 transmission is unique and has some internal differences, in most cases it it not backwards compatible with 2003 and older transmissions.

2005-2008 transmissions internals are the same and for most cases are interchangeable.

Some passenger car and a few regular cab, LWB trucks have a 1" longer out put shaft and extension housing.

Ideally, you would want a transmission from a 2001-2003 F series truck or E series van.

For the torque converter, use a OEM style reman,

 

Thank you guys so much!! From what you guys have told me I need to look at where the shift linkage hooks up to the side of the trans -simple enough.m, I'll check that when I go tomorrow.

The internals are rebuilt for the 5.4l so I don't think I'll have to worry so much about interchangeable parts as I'm swapping the entire trans. ( core return )

I guess I'll have to remove the trans to be able to see the Stamp on the top of the bell housing, but I think il be ok. everyone for the help. For some reason I couldn't find that anywhere else.