i'll be doing the trans filter and fluid on my 4R100 soon, and i'm wondering what other simple mods i could do while i'm in there that would beef it up a little for towing? guzzle7pt3 has an article aboout doing a BTS valve body, but when you go to the BTS website it doesn't give you any information on what the valve body does for your transmission.
open to suggestions

 

The valve body firms up your shifts Considered by many to be a wise things to do on the 4R100.

Not much else to do while changing the fluid and filter unless you'd rather install a shift kit instead of the valve body. I think the transgo tugger kit is close to $100 or the sonnax tricumulator is around $40.

There's not much to the sonnax kit, but it sure seems to make a big difference in the shift firmness.

 

Wouldnt hurt to make sure the center support feed bolts are torqued properly... they can loosen up sometimes. Not a mod, just preventative.

 

Not a mod but make sure the filter is the same as factory. I bought the cheap one at Oreilly's, the only one they stock.

It fit very loose so I returned and drove over to local oreilly warehouse store and got the Wix filter. Much better fit.

Just something to compare before you install filter.

 

I would definitely stick with the MERCON V and Motorcraft Filter ( or a Synthetic that meets the Minimum Specs).

An external Filter is always a good idea to prevent the reintroduction of metallic parts back into the Transmission as well as filter debris from the Cooler over time.

The 4R100 is an Electronically Controlled Unit which can have its shift points (pressure) altered through programming. DP Tuner can add both Towing and Transmission adjustments which will help with both transmission and Engine Performance.

The Valve Body Change and Spring Changes in the Accumulators may affect your shifting if you use it as a Daily Driver, although most people don't mind if it shifts firmly.

So long as the transmission isn't "beat up" and have a lot of Torque thrown at it, they seem to do just fine. I got over 200k before I needed to do anything (other than the regular scheduled maintenance).

Mark Kolvaski would be a good resource for this information. He's loaded with knowledge about these units as he worked for FoMoCo during its design and implementation.

 

Just a word of advice when you pull the filter make sure the ring either comes with the filter or you reach up in there and pull it out. There usually a PITA to get out

 

Many owners do install aftermarket filters in the return line from the cooler to the transmission. There are several threads on this site and others that describe the benefits and the installation.

 

yes, make sure you compare the filter removed, to the filter being installed. We did my buddy's truck and bought a filter , just to see that the filter bought, was a short neck, not, a long neck that came out of truck