Hi guys, My wife and I just picked up a travel trailer and are going to start doing some camping. Anyway we have a 04 5.4 expedition that just rolled over 100k. I am very familiar with towing heavy trailers so please spare the safety stuff (no offense to anybody). I just want to know if there is anything I should change to make it handle it a little better. I have pulled with the exp a handful of times and know it handles the 4-5k trailer weight just fine, I guess I am most concerned about the tranny. I know not to pull in overdrive, and I know when the converter unlocks and when it locks, but if I pay attention to that stuff do I still need to put an added tranny cooler or anything else in it. When should the tranny be serviced as well. Thanks. O one more thing. What tranny do I have?

 

The transmission should be a 4r70w. Are you using a weight distribution hitch? That should make it handle better. Does it have the factory tow package? If it does it should have an external trans cooler. The only way to know for sure if the trans cooler is enough is to get a trans temp gauge so you can keep an eye on it. If it doens't have an external cooler you definately need one. On my trucks I tow with I change the trans fluid at around 30k miles. I would also change the gear oil in the axles if that hasn't been done.

 

Yeah I have a weight distribution hitch as well as the tow package. Where would I put a sensor for the temp gauge? I just really don't want to lose a tranny one of these trips. Its a very nice rig and we have had zero problems with it and we plan on having it for a very long time. Just trying to do my best to take care of it.

 

Subscribing here.

Just picked up and 04 Expedition. Still have not crawled under to confirm tranny. I found this procedure for changing transmission fluid. I think the interval is every 30K.

I have not found anything on axel gear oil change procedures, if gaskets are used or RTV,...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...id-change.html

 

Since you have the factory tow pkg, yes, you have a tranny cooler. You also have a class iV hitch which rates your truck at 8900 lbs. plenty to pull a 4-5k trailer. Under your dash you have a connector to plug in an electric brake controller and a 7 pin connector at your hitch.
The 4r70w tranny fluid should be changed every 35k or so and agree with being careful not to use o/d.
You also have about 40 less hp than the 05 but you also have the old, one piece plug, which is much easier to replace without breaking in two.
You probably don't have LT tires if stock replacement so just be aware of proper tire pressure.
Enjoy your travels.

 

On my Expy I added a PML deep tranny pan that added a gallon to the tranny fluid capacity as well as an inline Magnefine filter in the return line. Along with a Autometer Cobalt series trans temp gauge to keep an eye on things. Under normal towing of my 5k lb. boat it never gets above 180 down here in south Florida. If you're towing through hills you may see higher. The temperature sensor installs in a boss area there in the side of the pan. You have to drill and tap it. If you're still using P-series tires make sure they are the 44 psi type, not the light duty 35 psi crap that Costco and Sams try to sell everybody. LT tires are better for towing because they have a thicker sidewall. I replaced the stock station wagon swaybar with a heavy duty Belltech 5550 truck rated swaybar to help stabilize the rearend. I use drilled-slotted rotors up front to help with heavy load stopping. Make sure to check your rear pumpkin for correct fluid level. They do start to seep a little at that age. Not sure what type stereo system you still have in your Expy. But a new Nav system with backup camera is a nice addition as well. The White Night Backup Lights might be over the top though.... LOL.



-Mike



PML tranny pan and Autometer temp gauge....


Here's the gauge installed in the truck, about the only spot to put it due to clearance issues...


What the pan looks like under the truck...


Magnefine filter in the return line....



Belltech 5550 swaybar vs. stock swaybar....



What it looks like under the truck....



White Night backup lights on Expy ....

 

I am trying to gather information on my 06 tranny to verify what I have been told. A local shop told me the life of the expedition transmission in mine has a usual life of 120 000km until the band breaks and needs replacing. That is where I am at now. 2nd transmission now which fits the lifespan he mentioned.

 

Thanks for getting back to me guys. I think I may invest in a tranny temp gauge one of these days. I doubt I will replace the swaybar. I feel its plenty stable for a 4500 lb trailer. Well I will try and do a tranny fluid flush asap, I am sure it is due cause it just rolled over 100k. Been a great rig though. We have had it since 65k and have had nothing go wrong other than the pedal adjust. I still need to fix that for my wife.

 

Hi, i have a question too. I have also a Navi from 2004 and a camper since this year. A friend of mine means, at his Chevy it is recommended, that he have to pull a trailer w/o overdrive. If i ride with 60mp/h on the Autobahn (i´m from Germany), is it necessary to drive with or w/o overdrive??

 

I'd read your owners manual first but in my case with the older 4r100, I've always towed, up to 10,000k gvwr trailer, ONLY up to 3rd, without OD.
If I got to a challenging hill, I'd manually shift down to 2nd before it would automatically do it, at about 52mph.
It recommended not to use OD when towing, keeping the tranny cooler and not allowing it to shift in and out of 3rd, putting addition strain on the drivetrain.
Not sure if you have the 4r70 or 4r75e but I'd double check your manual first. I know I would not use OD in your vehicle.

 

in My manual, it isn't something written not to drive with O/D

 

There ya go.

 

Someone above mentioned an aftermarket swaybar, and I'll give a hearty second to that. I put an IPD aftermarket heavy duty swaybar on my 98, and it made a huge difference in handling, especially when towing. It was the best thing I ever did to that car.