Has anyone ever put a 4R70W in an older (pre92) truck that uses the linkage rather than cable shifter? My son and I would like to use one in the upgrade to his 86 F150 from 5.0/AOD to 5.8/4R70W.

 

The trick is AODE and 4R70W parts in the AOD to make a beefed AOD.

The 4R70W is going to need a controller as it is electronic.

AOD Performance Products - Baumann Electronic Controls

AOD Transmission from PATC, AOD Transmissions

StreetFighter® Transmission Package; '80 & Later AOD (289, 302, 351C, 351W) Converter #432800 - TCI® Auto

www.CKPerformance.com

 

We knew about the need for a controller, the only issue I was trying to resolve was the shifter hookup. Original idea was use the gear set in a late (89) AOD case, but two concerns, first the need to do some valve body modifications as the shift points have to occur at lower output shaft speeds, particularly the 1-2 shift, second the NLA TV cable which after 26 years is quite fragile.

BTW, for the record, I have a fair amount of experience building and modifying automatics so I am not entering this as a novice. Neither my son nor I want to pay someone for a pre-built trans. We decided to go the 4R70W route after a bit of research, both with my local shop and the fact that Baumann's Optishift is fairly affordable and gives us the ability to "fine tune" the shift points, lockup and quality. His truck is used to tow a 23' travel trailer and the 5.0L engine is a bit tired and a bit underpowered.

The thread on his build plans is here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ect-359-a.html

 

Along with the Optishift you would need to fit a throttle position sensor (if not already fitted) and a vehicle speed sensor.
For the shifter why not just use a Lokar floor shifter?

 

Since the truck is and will remain EFI, TPS is there. We do not want to use a Floor shift for several reasons, first, the truck is 4WD with the 4WD shifter already sticking through the floor on the driver's side of the transmission, second, every aftermarket automatic shifter I've seen is too short or has a very sensitive shift detent, third, AOD-E. 4R70W and E4OD transmissions have a MLP sensor on the shifter at the transmission. This is what tells the EEC and probably the Optishift what gear, P,R,N,OD,2 or 1 is selected and provides the neutral safety and backup lamp functions.

What it looks like is I will have to have my machinist make a lever to go inplace of the cable shifter lever.

 

10w.40 good buddy....

I posted those as some of those sites give away their build secrets. TCI used to have a pretty good "cookbook" when they described their transmissions, but no more.

Good luck with it.

Can't you get a valve body that eliminates the TV cable thing? Or am I thinking of something else?

 

Update on this, Lokar's 360* adjustable shift shaft and lever, along with some heim joints that's the ticket.

 

The valve body that eliminates the TV cable is the AOD-E/4R70W. Both are electronic transmissions. Ford never built an overdrive transmission with a vacuum modulator.