[Dales66F100]

So, 96 f150 5.0 4r70w 4x4 about 80k miles, transmission shifts through all gears ok, but seems to be a true slush box. Very soft lazy shifting. Also slight stumble or surge in 3rd and OD under light throttle and low rpm(1500-2000), jumps about 2-300 rpm every couple seconds. Feels under powered and slow. I am ready to do the flush and filter but curious as to what else I should do while I have the pan off. I know there is a J-Mod for these transmissions but not sure this would benefit me. Not looking for hard shifting, just something more in line to other trucks I have driven. Heard that the truck valve bodies are different from the car ones, so not sure if the J-Mod will have the same effect or not. Can I benefit from a newer valve body from another 5.0 motor vehicle, ie the Explorer?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Drop the valve body and Jmod the transmission.

Yes. The J-mod will benefit you. Go with the mild setting. I'm not sure if the trucks have a different VB than the cars. Regardless, I recommend upgrading the VB to a 2004 version.

Other experts here can fill in the details.

 

[Dales66F100]

Upgrade to 2004 version? Simple as just swapping VB and the electrical connection? Can VB be from any 4r70w 2004 transmission?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Yes. It's a better design.

Upgrade the PCM too.

See this thread for details.

https://forums.tccoa.com/955-4r70w-transmissions/181874-4r70w-valve-body.html

 

[Dales66F100]

That link seem to be for the 4.6 v8 PCM. I have the 5.0 pushrod. Also wasn't sure if I could just put newer VB into older transmission or if I should look for a later model Explorer transmission.

 

[XR7-4.6]

I cannot fathom a single possible reason to change the PCM on a 1996 vehicle unless something’s wrong with it. I’m not sure why TM recommended it for this.



I’m fairly certain the 96 5.0 4x4 used the E4OD, not the 4R70w

 

[Dales66F100]

well mine door tag shows a trans code of u for 4r70w, they used the E4OD on the 351 in the f150

 

[Grog6]

If you're having problems with the 4r70w, it needs to be rebuilt.

I know the 2002 version is a better transmission than the older ones, but IDK about what fits the 5.0l version; it has a different bellhousing than the ones I have.

It's also 4wd, so that's a tailshaft difference as well.

Doing the jmod will fix the slushiness, but probably not on a 96 tranny; the seals are rock hard and badly worn at this point, which makes the shift into 3rd slow.

Do any post 2001 trucks have a 5.0 engine?
Will a 2002 4r70w out of a 4.2l 4x4 match up?

I found this:
"You can find 4R70W's with the 5.0 windsor bolt pattern on 1996-2001 Explorer V8's and 1994+ F-150 V8's and on some other 3.8 V6 models."

Looks like the ones for a 2001 4wd explorer are ~$200, and they will need rebuilt, at this point.

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/4r70w-transmission-rebuild-diary.128800/

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I cannot fathom a single possible reason to change the PCM on a 1996 vehicle unless something’s wrong with it. I’m not sure why TM recommended it for this.



I’m fairly certain the 96 5.0 4x4 used the E4OD, not the 4R70w

Ok, the PCM is reusable. My bad. I default to the experts.

The reason I recommended an '04 VB is that I'm running an '03 in mine. I believe the '03 and '04 are identical.

 

[XR7-4.6]

well mine door tag shows a trans code of u for 4r70w, they used the E4OD on the 351 in the f150

Ok, I’m thinking of my friends 96 with a 351, on a 96 5.0 U would be the AODE. Same thing basically besides the planetary. The valve bodies will indeed swap, the newer the better since the separator plate is basically mild J-mod spec as is. A newer trans (4R70w)as a whole would be better though, but I’m not sure what fits.

 

[Grog6]

If it's an AODE, then TM's comment on an eec swap would be correct, as they're different.

I'm going to recommend you hit one of the Truck sites, OP; you're truck is too different for what most of us know.

RalphP has a thread about an older 5.0 update to a 4r70w that he's doing, you might get some info there.

Sorry I can't help more.

I can say that a rebuild is in order; the rubber and teflon seals are 23 years old at this point, and hard as a rock, and worn down to nubs.

 

[XR7-4.6]

If it's an AODE, then TM's comment on an eec swap would be correct, as they're different.


RalphP has a thread about an older 5.0 update to a 4r70w that he's doing, you might get some info there.

No, they’re not. Ralph has an AOD, the AODE is electronic and in almost all respects a 4R70w minus the bellhousing pattern and carried over AOD planetary gearset.

 

[RalphP]

No, they’re not. Ralph has an AOD, the AODE is electronic and in almost all respects a 4R70w minus the bellhousing pattern and carried over AOD planetary gearset.

I have a AOD.

I'm doing a 4R70W for the car, along with a 94 Mustang GT ECU to drive it and the 5.0HO.

>

RwP