I recently bought a 99 V10 F250 SD 4x4 and had been thrilled with it until last week when the the 4r100 went out which put me on a crash course to try to learn about these trucks. I am on a very tight budget so I pulled the tranny myself. Now I am looking at options for replacing it. I was thinking of going with a Ford rebuilt which is at the maximum of what I can afford. When I pulled the trans I found that it was a Ford rebuild. The truck has 137,xxx. Not a real confidence builder.

Back to my question, when searching for transmissions for this truck I keep finding listings where they show a trans will fit a variety of Fords, some showing 98-2003, some say only 2002-2003, etc. Can someone tell me what year 4r100's would be a direct bolt in for my 99? what I mean is no rewiring or internal modifications. I know diesel 4r100's won't work. I plan on replacing my trans cooler and adding a temperature gauge. I am toying with the idea of replacing the radiator to add the additional trans cooler.

One option I am forced to consider due to cost is used transmissions if I can find one with low mileage. Are certain year 4r100's better than others? Sorry for the long post.

 

Avoid a 2001 transmission unless it's been rebuilt. 2002 and 2003 and don't have a drain plug in the torque converter. Other than that a V10 trans is a V10 trans from '99 to 2003.

 

Mark, Thanks very much. 3 more questions.

Is an Excursion V10 4R100 the same too?

From reading other posts I believe you recommend going with the newer radiator too (trans cooler inside). Correct?

Lastly, If I am buying a new V10 trans cooler, should I just go for a new 6.0 cooler instead?
Thanks. Frank

 

The Excursion, van, and F series uses the identical transmission.

If your old trans sent shrapnel into the radiator cooler replacing it is best. Ford has a procedure to clean the old one, it probably works.

A 6.0L cooler is the best cooler you can get.

 

Thank you sir. Hopefully I can get this truck back on the road soon. Frank

 

Mark, whats the difference in a Diesel vs. Gas 4R100?

 

The biggest difference is the case. They are different to mount to the different engine bolt patterns. The torque converters are different, too. I don't remember if there are internal differences, it's getting to be a long time ago.

 

Update - I just had a truck dismantler in Rancho Cordova CA refuse to sell me a used 2003 V10 4r100. Claims it won't work in my 99. The guy said they have done side by side comparisons and "the electrical parts" are not the same. He said I can only use 99 and 2000 trannys. Is this guy whacked or should I call back and say I have a 2003 truck and buy the tranny anyway?

 

What did you find out?
*update I tried an 03 4r100 in a 99 (v10 same specs on both engines) and we had one plug left unplugged but I was told we wouldn't need to plug it in.... It didnt work out for me so we pulled it out and are rebuilding the 99. Admittedly, my problem could be something unrelated to the 03.. The truck was already not shifting and I immediately assumed a tranny replacement would fix the issue.

 

You do realize that was six years ago and he hasn't been back in almost that long?

 

You do realize "it never hurts to ask". No one ever asked how it went.. maybe he still checks his email.. thanks for taking the time to make me check mine today.
Have a good day.

 

I have an e350 super duty box van & need to replace the tranny. U-pull it is full of F-150 4R100 transmissions but none for E series, would the F series 4R100 work in this truck, does anyone know the difference between the F and E series 4R100? Is it gear ratio? Thanks in advance I'm really stuck here trying to figure out how to get a used tranny for this thing

 

I'm not sure about the e350 but my 99 e450 has a parking break "drum" or "bell housing" (I'm not sure what it's called) and that was the big difference to me when I was scouting for a used tranny.. the F series didn't have that.. to my knowledge but I'm not a mechanic. I have had trouble figuring out my replacement also. I bought an 04 4r100 with high hopes cause they look identical but once installed it falls on it's face in 1st gear.. it will go into gear in limp mode tho. I need to know how to switch out the electrical components or if a Ford computer tune would do it... So, if you find out more info.. please share it
Thanks

 

Thanks, at least that gives me a starting place in trying to find a tranny, but in your situation it sounds like you got a tranny with a bad solenoid pack, try swapping it out with the one on your old tranny, that's what would put it in limp mode

 

Every 4R100 has the same gear ratios. There are differences, however. There are different 4R100s for 5.4L, 6.8L, and 7.3L. You need to get one from the same engine that's in your E-350. Also, if your E-350 has a parking brake on the back of the trans, you'll need a 4x4 transmission. Most likely you don't have the parking brake, so you'd need one from a 4x2.