I need 4r70w transmission interchange info.

[Joebigfun]

My '96 5.0 AWD Explorer has a bunch of miles (170k), and I want to buy another transmission to keep as a spare. I have heard these transmissions are stronger than the 6-cyl version, but I'd like to have a spare nonetheless (I do a fair amount of towing). The question is, what is the best year to buy? My Hollander interchange book says only '96 and '97 will work. And I have heard there were improvements made in '99 or so. So can I get a '98 or later trans. to work in my Ex? What needs to be done if using a newer 4r70w in my '96? They seem to be pretty cheap on the "bay". Most of the threads seem to deal with the 6-cyl transmissions, but I know one of you guys has the info. I need. Thanks in advance.

 

[BeauJ]

A 4R70W in the newer model, from what I've seen, has a newer/better cluth pack and a few internals. I'm not exactly sure, but It SHOULD bolt up. Bolt patterns weren't changed, and I've thought a few times about goin to a mustang AOD-E tranny for the first two gears.

 

[james t]

There are some wiring differences. A member here by the name of section525 has done the swap..... i believe he's running a 99 tranny on a 96 computer. From what i remember it was only minor wiring issues.

Paging section.......

 

[Joebigfun]

Thanks James. I read thru Section's post re. the '99 drivetrain swap into his '96, and it looks like he did the same type of swap I'd like to do. I emailed him (no reply yet) but if anybody else can answer, that is good too; If I read it right, it looks like the only difference is a small wiring change. The '99 trans. combined the 3 red wires from the '96 into a single ltblue/org wire. So I would think if putting a '99 trans into my '96, I just need to cut 2 reds and tap them into the 3rd red (I don't know which of the 3 reds needs to stay in its original place). Anybody have ideas on this?

 

[BeauJ]

You prob. won't hear from Section for a while. He hasn't been on the board in a month and a half and doesn't get on AIM anymore either. I used to talk to him a good bit, but he's now MIA.

 

[Joebigfun]

section's whereabouts

I did hear from section, but my guess is he got a girlfriend if all-of-a-sudden he doesn't post no more. Section, you wanna' confirm?

 

[CDW6212R]

Building any AOD

Joebigfun, if you don't have one yet, get the years that are a bolt in(no wiring needed). If another year turns up first, then it's extra work.

The 302 AOD's from 1980-present all have internals which interchange. They got better as time passed, and after about 1993 they are all about equal in strength and lubrication. Any further changes are basically fine tuning, matching PCM to a specific chassis/torque converter.

If someone tells you that a certain feature is better in one year versus another, you can change that one component, and they are then equal.

All electronic AOD's have the wide OD belt, and four 2nd gear clutches, and more direct clutches. These are the biggest weak links of the earlier versions.

There are just a couple of versions that have anything better worth hunting. The Supercoupes had the largest OD servo/piston, the "A" set, for about $50. The Mark VIII's evidently had the most OD clutches. These are really only needed for extreme duty, or extra insurance. You can buy them separately, and replace the lesser parts in any AOD.

Someone mentioned the 94-94 Mustang AODE gears. They are the original AOD ratios, which are a close ratio. The "W" in 4R70W stands for wide ratio. These Explorers have a larger 1st and 2nd gear ratio, and identical 3rd and 4th. The change is the planetary gear cluster. You can change those also, on any AOD.

Best advice is to install a quality mild shift kit(I like TransGo), big trans cooler, and quality clutches, etc. Take your time, and find someone who has built high performance AOD's before. Good luck,
Don W

 

[tsnoodles]

Can you tell me where in the forum I can contact the member you mentioned that has done this swap, you refer to him by Section 525? Thank you

There are some wiring differences. A member here by the name of section525 has done the swap..... i believe he's running a 99 tranny on a 96 computer. From what i remember it was only minor wiring issues.

Paging section.......