I'm in the process of getting my E4OD rebuilt in my '96...my tranny guy stated that now would be the time to put a shift kit into it. I am pretty much a stone stock guy and don't go for after market mods. Honestly, is a shift kit that much of a benefit? This truck is driven pretty light...mostly errands to the lumber yard, dump runs mulch dumps, etc. Where I live it is pretty hilly, if that matters. If a shift kit is installed, is there any other type of maint. that needs to be done on the tranny? More frequent oil changes, etc? Any input would be appreciated!
Roger

 

Roger,your trans shop guy is correct.now is the time to have him do it.
from the factory,they want to appease most drivers,by allowing the trans to take its time to shift between gears so it's not overly firm (or hardly even felt) when shifting.
the draw back to these slushy shifts though is,that means the clutches are allowed to slip and rub together which causes heat and of course more ware on the clutches,than if they just get pressed together fairly quick and get into the next gear.
of course if the shifts are much quicker/firmer less fuel is wasted too,to a small degree.
if you don't mind feeling your shifts,it's well worth the money.
adding a shift kit doesn't alter maintenance.with the slightly less heat build up,you could actually extend fluid flushes if anything (but i wouldn't.you should have a temp gauge if you wanted to try this.stick to 30k mile flushes tops.15-20k flushes for towing max gross to play it safe.)
i installed a shift kit in my E40D before i started driving the truck.

 

great trans guy i have (butt face). He told me with a shift kit, i'll break parts faster, so i didnt do it when i had mine rebuilt. I'm regularly pulling 15k an always thought it would be better to have it.

 

Any idea what shift kit would be a good one?

 

i've used B&M before an there coolers, never had a problem

 

i put a b&m in my e4od and hate it. i have a new set of factory springs i was going to put back into it today but just didnt have the motivation to do it today.


my first to second shifts so bloody hard it shakes the truck. now there could ba another issue but this only started when i put in the b&m kit.

i put one in the c4 that my 73 mustang had and it worked great in that. i just dont like it in the truck


a few guys in here recommend the punisher valve body for the e4od tho.

 

Every automatic transmission ever built should get a shift kit.. soft shifts are death to an automatic trans. And every E4OD truck that isn't in the arctic should have an aftermarket trans oil cooler, many of these things are on the edge of meltdown just driving around town.

 

I don't like shift kits. Thats why I kinda like my AOD. I can adjust the cable so I get nice crisp shifts, without breaking my neck. And yes, ever trans I have ever drove or rode in with a shift kit, I don't like.

 

Not to hijack, but I have an AOD in my '92, and from what I'm reading, the shifts should be soft and hardly noticeable, well I can definitely feel my shifts below me.

Haven't had any drivetrain problems, and it's been like this for quite some time now. Kinda makes me think that something is going out, I don't know. The tranny fluid hasn't been replaced since I have had it, about 2 years. Has probably never been changed before, so I'm thinking about doing that and a new filter.

 

My AOD shifts fairly firm.

 

A shift kit and cooler , if it dosn't allready have one , thats the two best things you can do , its also nice to have a gauge so you can moniter the temp...

 

I have put shift kits in c6 autos and they make a difference, but the driveability is still fine. They do "sharpen" the shifts but I feel that in a heavier vehicle the harshness of a shift is minimized due to the nature of a heavier truck to accelerate slower. Now, In a stock APP. I would say look for a "mild" shift kit. The transgo kits I use have different springs and different configurations that allow you to tune your shifts for fast or slow, harsh or soft, and They do make a difference. I have filed governors, built longer and shorter modulator rods and adjusted modulator valves, and with a shift kit, I have been able to make shifts drag or snap in thesame tranny. Tuneability is a lot to do with the behavior of a tranny, If I were you, I would ask for a mild shift kit, Hopefully this will improve fluid flow, reduce heat, increase performance and not sacrifice driveability. I am not real familiar with available products for a e40d, but i know on the valve bodys I have done, I have drilled holes, blocked passages, and changed springs to get the performance I wanted, If you boost the pressure way up, you will have real harsh shifts, if you lower the pressure, your tranny will drive awesome but probably will slip lots. You don't want to spill your coffee on your girlfriend while driving through the morning traffic because your cold tranny finally caught 2nd gear.

 

Another vote for the shift kit. Trans-Go has always been my choice.

 

PUNISHER VALVEBODY for the E4OD!

No discussion needed.

 

I have to tell you my experience with Punisher Valve Bodies and Paul was amazing. I recently purchased 1991 Ford F250 with the 460 and 4EOD For one of the most challenging climates on the planet, Baja where I recently bought a home and where a new or nice vehicle can make you a target. It is beautiful but completely unforgiving and an "oops" down can be catastrophic, at best it means a long walk home or it could mean not getting home.

Despite being a 30 year old crusty mess of a beach truck from Coos Bay, Oregon my F250 only has 79,000 miles on the clock and despite needing all the belts, hoses and brake components replaced it drives like the barely broken in truck it is. It's recently come back from a complete service which included everything it needed to live another 30 years. When I got the truck back the transmission was behaving radically and disconnecting the battery helped but it was still given me a squishy shift going into 4th which could become problematic on the many on and off road surfaces its going to be living in.

Growing up a Ford guy I had the getting great fortune of living across the street from one of Carroll Shelby's original engine builders and legendary drag racer Tony Storer who saw the Shelby Cobra for what it was, a great little hot rod and potential drag car. Tony went on to dominate In his creation, the Dragon Snake. I helped him rebuild my first transmission, a C4 and understood the value of a top notch shift kit from his teachings. I also knew I didn't have the patience to be an automatic transmissions guy.

So when I got my truck back it was being a little squishy beteeen 3rd and 4th. I actually purchased a new high capacity pan, the shift kit components and everything else I needed to make my transmission live but I wasn't excited about doing it, screwing it up or getting it not quite right. I stumbled on Punisher Valve Bodies here in the forum and knew I'd be better off going with it based on the feedback of those who had gotten one from Paul.

I have to tell you, it is everything people say it is. The shifts are firm and crisp, the shift points are perfect and it was easily done on the street in front of my house. Going the extra distance I opted for one of the much larger aluminum transmissions so there are now 9.75 quarts in the pan. Thanks Paul.

Believe it or not all that surface rust is a bonus in Baja as a theft deterrent device. .