I posted on the transmission forum,...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...patibilty.html

but may be you guys would know, what year Ford trucks can i get a transmission from to replace the one in a '97 4.6litre?

thnx,
Frank

 

my 2001 4 x 4 with 5.4 motor has that trans.

 

Thanks Steve, but do you know if it is a direct fit and will work with the wiring/computer?

Frank

 

They started using the 4R70W in the truck in 95 i think but dont know what the difference would be to 97 ??

 

Your '97 model uses a VSS for speedometer input,so you have to get a trans that has the gear teeth cut into the output shaft to rive the VSS. That limits you to '97-'02 model 4R70W's for the most part. You'll want one from a modular(4.6 or 5.4L) not a 5.0,3.8,or 4.2L engine-those all use a different bellhousing bolt pattern. Best to get one from '98-up due to upgraded internals,but you'll need to do a bit of parts changeover or a harness repin to work properly with the new electrical on the '98-up models.
JL

 

Ok, then that widens the search a lot more. I can understand the harness repin but that means I need a section of the harness (or at least the connector) from the donnor truck right? Is there more to it when you say parts change over or are did you just mean getting the wires to match up?

Thanx,
Frank

 

You can do it 2 ways. You can either swap over your solenoids (EPC,SS1,SS2,and TCC lockup) and TOT(trans oil temp) sensor,and the internal trans harness to keep it simple-or you can repin your existing truck's trans harness connector to the new pinout that Ford started using in '98.
JL

 

It sounds easier to re-pin the the existing harness, is this documented some where or do I simply check the schematic for both years and figure it out.

You've been a big help thanks!
Frank

 

If you'll PM me an email address,I'll email you that info in a spreadsheet format. It'll be later this evening sometime when I get home.
JL

 

I don't want to hijack but this begs a question.
Interesting. I didn't know that the ECM monitored the trannys oil temp.
What happens if it exceeds the high set point? Does it set a code and CEL?
Wonder if theres a way to gauge it?
Great info, thanks.

 

If it hits the "hot temp",then it commands lockup of the TCC to prevent more heating being put into the fluid, and it will flash the OD light and set a code. It's much more in depth than that,but that's the basics.
JL

 

Johnny,
Any chance the info you gave me was backwards 97 vs 98?
As luck would have it, I found a lower mileage '97 transmission, only to find that my truck, a 97 , is looks to be wired like a 98. The truck has a 12pin MLPS harness.
Do you know if the solenoid pack connector/harness would appear to be the same with respect to colour code? ie both connectors would have the same colour wire goin to the same pin in their original configuration?

I'm to get a schematic,......

Frank

 

No,I'm thinking from the contents of your email that the yard got you a different application that's supposed to be "equivalent".
JL

 

The yard swears it came out of a '97 F150. I got hold of the schematics for both a '97 and "98 and was able to determine that solenoid pack wiring was identical on both the replacement and the original transmission. In the end it was simple plug and play using my original MLPS.(Ford must have switched MLPS at some point during the "97 model year?).
Most frustrating part of the whole job (besides laying out the cash!) was having to drop the replacement transmission again because I didn't seat the torque converter all the way in.

Truck runs great, and the yard gave me a 90 day warranty on the transmission that only had 114,000 kms on it.

Thanx again!

Frank

 

I am changing out the transmission, transfer case, and engine in my 97 f150 xl. I pulled all this stuff out of a 97 f150 at the junk yard. I rebuilt the motor and I am using the tranny and t-case as is. I am having the same confusion that you had. The transmission from the junk yard has the old style, 8 pin, MLPS with the 98+ bulk head connector; and the tranny on my truck has the new style, 12 pin, MLPS with the 98+ bulk head connector. I am thinking that, as you said, Ford switched to the updated transmission harness in the 97 model year; which is why my truck has the newer electronics. I think whoever owned the truck in the junk yard probably installed a 98+ model tranny, converted their 97 wiring harness, and installed their old MLPS. So, just like you, the swap will be plug and play for me after I change the MLPS. I think it's a reasonable hypothesis...