I'm rebuilding my 1997 F-150 XLT 4.6l 4x4 4r70w
 

I'm rebuilding my 1997 F-150 XLT 4.6l 4x4 4r70w . And I'm trying to go heavy duty for towing. So far I've been ordered the raybestos performance red deluxe L2 rebuild kit. I'm going to order the sonnax heavy duty forward clutch drum. I ordered the superior powertow valve body kit PT4R75 but Superior just emailed me and said that it was only for 2001+ and that I should use the superior Fairbanks transaction 23007 performance shift kit. It has three programming options, Heavy duty,street & strip, and full competition. I'm also undecided which OD servo to use, sonnax double o-ring or the superior adjust-a-pin? Also that shift kit doesn't come with some of the sonnax sure cure kit upgrades I like. I'm going to be add 4.11 gears after I'm done with the tranny and transfer case. And then I'm moving on to the motor which I've seen superchargers in F-150's but not sure if I can do that with a 4.6l or is that only for 5.4l. I'm really needing some helpful input or suggestions to make my truck a performance heavy duty daily driver. Thanks

I hope you have deep pockets. Here's a little guide on the 4R70W.... 97 is its own animal, but it can be made stout.

Late model 4r75w valve body adapter to fit the earlier 1997 4r70w.
 

First and foremost I want to thank you for that guide! It's just what the doctor ordered! Lol. But when I went looking for a adapter for the late model 4r75w valve body as per the guide, I couldn't find it. I have this powertow valve body kit PT4R75 sitting here with the return shipping label on it and it needs to be returned by the 8th or it will be cancelled. I'm not one to give up and I love trying the impossible just to know I could. After reading that guide I now know most of these parts in this kit should work. But now I'm thinking that maybe I could just do the JMOD and use that $150 I spent on the Powertow kit on something else like the direct clutch drum kit and forward clutch drum kit by sonnax. Which is $700 plus "ouch". But if anyone knows where I can find the adapter please let me know. Thanks

Late model 4r75w valve body adapter to fit the earlier 1997 4r70w.
 

So far I've found this on eBay but not too sure about it.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F282070527743
It's a soft wire 4r75w valve body. I'm mean if someone just put earlier model solenoids on a late model valve body then I could do that. Any thoughts on this will be greatly appreciated. I. I'm running out of time before I will need to ship this powertow kit back. Thanks

Towing and torque
 

So I think I've finally decided on how I'm going to set up my 4r70w tranny. I got the raybestos performance red deluxe L2 rebuild kit. I'm going with the superior performance programmable shift kit part "23007". I found this Hughes Performance Tow Master Series Torque Converters 53LXTM. It has a lower than OEM stall speed of 1500-1600 rpm. Which is about 300-500 lower than OEM "1900-2200". This also should give me better gas mileage, not really because I'm lowering my front and rear differential gears to 4.11's, so it's actually going to help balance it out. I'm curious if anyone has ever used a lower than OEM stall converter for towing? I'm also rebuilding my Borg Warner 4406 4x4 transfer case with a bearings and seals kit. I'm going to be getting bigger tires 305/70/16's. And a 3" lift kit later. And after all of the drivetrain is completed, LoL it's time to look at my 4.6l engine. If anyone has any suggestions about engine mods for this 1997 F-150. Please let me know. Thanks

If you want to tow with that , better go taller gears than 4.1

Even the 5.4 is lacking for towing. These arent tow beasts...by any stretch of imagination.

Dont forget towing involves stopping as well.

Towing and torque
 

What size do you suggest I go with? I'm currently running stock 3.55 gears. I Know the taller I go the less gas mileage I get. I think I seen 4.88 or 5.13 gears available for my 8.8 rear end but that's almost doubling the size which will almost cut my gas mileage in half. My truck already tows very well I'm thinking 2 sizes up will help it handle better.

4.1 just get you back to the stock ratio with a 305, doesn't give you any extra oomph with yur 4.2

on a 16-inch rim that's about the size of a 285 on a 17-inch rims so maybe you're a hair better than stock but it's probably offset by spinning the heavier tire.

Towing and torque
 

I found 4.56 gears and 4.88 but what does that really feel like in a 4.6L V8. What does that feel like during shifts?

4r70w upgrade torque and strength
 

I have a 1997 4r70w with the intermediate one way clutch and want to upgrade to a newer mechanical diode style. My question is can I just buy a whole newer mechanical diode drum assembly and swap out for my older one?