1998+ 4r70w differences and interchangeability. Can i use 99+?

[whitegrl]

I'm starting to get some converter shudder on my 98 awd 5.0, at first it was at the 3-4 shift only, but after i had a tranny shop drop the pan and inspect the mess (metal shavings they say. . ) but didn't see for myself, the shudder feels stronger.

anyways, im thinkin of replacing it with a low mileage 4r70w. T-bird club points out alot of 96-98 differences and 99+. Does this necessarily apply to explorer 4r70w in terms of internals and wiring harnesses?
Or are all 98+ explorer 4r70ws basically the same with the upgraded dioded etc?

When it comes down to it, how much trouble would it be to throw a 99-01 transmission behind my 302 assuming i will be retaining my current transfer case with the VSS?

btw, i know my name says whitegrl, but it was the name i gave a 91 explorer i once had. im not a chick

thanks

 

[whitegrl]

so it seems that the harnesses and sensors on a 99-01 would be compatible with a 98. Are there significant changes in the 99-01 4r70w that make using them worthwhile? It's much easier looking for transmission from 3 different model years as opposed to one single year and i come across 99-01s more frequently.