Hello all, I'm new here, but thought this might be the best place to come for advice. I have a 2001 F-150 lariat super crew 2wd, with 5.4l triton v8. Recently my transmission has gone out and I've been told I'll need to replace it. I have a few lines on where I can find a new 4R70W transmission locally, but since I'll be doing the install myself, I was wondering if anyone could tell me how difficult it is to drop one to replace it? I can't afford to take to be rebuilt, so I'm going to get a replacement to swap in till I can have mine rebuilt. I've never swapped a transmission before though so I'm mostly flying blind except for my my maintenance book says to do. And while it does have a fair bit of information, it's always nicer to be able to ask advice from people that can give me tips if the swap isn't straightforward like the book describes. I know I'm in for a bit of a project, especially since I'll likely have to pull the transmission from a donor vehicle at a pick-your-part yard, but hopefully I'll be able to handle it.

 

Welcome to FTE.

If you have a job, find a way to work more or work OT to have it done.

You need a transmission jack, or a floor jack with the transmission adapter. Sure, you can slide it in or out on a milk crate or your chest, and bench press it into place, but the jack makes it easier.

You need a new torque converter. The old one is junk, the one from the wrecking yard is probably contaminated or missing.

You must flush out the cooler and lines, or the debris from the old trans will ruin the "new" one.

You must find the identical match for your trans.

 

If your book is a Haynes or Chilton, it is missing so much information you are flying blind. And much of the information it does have is wrong.

If you plan to do this without a trans jack (REALLY bad idea!) keep in mind the transmission weighs about 200 pounds.