E4OD Hauling Reliably?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: western ny
E4OD Hauling Reliably?
I am planning on getting into to firewood business and I am going to need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck soon. the only problem is I have about $3k max to spend. im going to be mostly limited to the OBS trucks, which is fine because I love the way they look. but I have heard many mixed reviews about this tranny. I had a 95 F150 with a 4.9 which had smoked rings, and I managed to overheat the tranny and spill fluid everywhere while offroading. if I get a truck id like to get a 5 speed but gas 5 speeds are kinda slim pickings these days. bottom line is, regardless of engine in front of it, is the E4OD a decent tranny for hauling? I have lots of hills around me which I know wont help. but if I get a truck that has been properly maintained, would the tranny hold up to a few summers/falls of delivering wood? I wont be using it as a daily driver. I plan on getting an aftermarket cooler and perhaps a deeper, ribbed pan as well.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 811
Likes: 1
From: West Central Southern MN
The E4OD is pretty tough. You should be fine as long as you match the towing application with the right vehicle. Trans isn't the only thing you should consider. Rear diff. ratio makes a big difference when towing. I would try to find one with 4:10's and get a cooler and a temp gauge. You'll be doing just fine then. Find a 460 or a 7.3 PSD and you'll be able to pull the whole forest around.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 116
From: Saskatchewan Canada
$3K to spend? Better save $2K for the rebuild you will need.
I've blown up a few E4OD's in my time. If maintained, they are OK. They do not like heat and the torque converter is weak. My E350 7.3 IDI/E4OD bus feels like there is a spring in the driveline. If you need a rebuild, shop carefully. This is a difficult transmission to get right.
I've blown up a few E4OD's in my time. If maintained, they are OK. They do not like heat and the torque converter is weak. My E350 7.3 IDI/E4OD bus feels like there is a spring in the driveline. If you need a rebuild, shop carefully. This is a difficult transmission to get right.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
With the E4OD, the later it is (year-wise) the better off the internals are. Keep the heat down and the fluid clean, and it will be fine.
My suggestions (in order of priority) are to install a temperature gauge, cooler, and shift kit. The gauge and cooler are pretty obvious, and the shift kit will reduce the time that the trans spends slipping clutches/bands during each shift, which it does from the factory to provide a smooth shift feel.
Keep up on the maintenance and it should serve you well.
My suggestions (in order of priority) are to install a temperature gauge, cooler, and shift kit. The gauge and cooler are pretty obvious, and the shift kit will reduce the time that the trans spends slipping clutches/bands during each shift, which it does from the factory to provide a smooth shift feel.
Keep up on the maintenance and it should serve you well.
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
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From: Taylor Mill, KY
I have put 60,000 on a e4od most of it hill driving a few thousand loaded down and in the Rocky Mountains driving. From KY to MT to AZ mine has never failed me. Truck has 270,000 miles on it now. Nothing has been touched as far as I know. All I do for it is drain the torque converter every other oil change, approx 8,000 miles. I did buy an extended pan for it last month just waiting for the next oil change.
I was warned about buying it from my friends cause it was being bought for a tow rig hauling Jeep trucks for the CO Jeep meet I go to. It has never let me down yet. 4:10 gears and straight stock. I will be adding a gauge at least with the new pan install which may lead to a cooler as well if it needs it.
I was warned about buying it from my friends cause it was being bought for a tow rig hauling Jeep trucks for the CO Jeep meet I go to. It has never let me down yet. 4:10 gears and straight stock. I will be adding a gauge at least with the new pan install which may lead to a cooler as well if it needs it.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: western ny
I have been doing firewood to heat my parents home ever since I was about 5, but only know have I been able to process and sell some myself. during the time that I am delivering, it should be about 100-150 cord. it will all be very dry, well seasoned mixed hardwood. maybe 2-3 cord a trip, depending on hills and distance driven. I would absolutely be buying a cooler and temp gauge. I also have heard that this tranny does not circulate fluid in reverse...? sounds a bit absurd. I am not hugely familiar with this trans. I a had one f150 with one, but I currently own a 5 speed ranger. I will hands down buy a 5 speed if I can get ahold of one.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: crestview FL
E4OD....HEAT HEAT HEAT HEAT ive had good luck on my first e4od and its seen a lot of trails and heavy heavy daily hauling usually around 6 to 8 tons of hot mix asphalt and lots of trips of the hay wagon in the fields....
upgraded to B&M trans cooler
switched to mobil1 syn trans fluid (yes i do change my fluid, and i do it every 25k miles)
swapped my trans pan for Mag-Hytec 4r100/e4od pan(cheaper swap is to stock 4r100 pan) reason is it has a drain plug
upgraded to B&M trans cooler
switched to mobil1 syn trans fluid (yes i do change my fluid, and i do it every 25k miles)
swapped my trans pan for Mag-Hytec 4r100/e4od pan(cheaper swap is to stock 4r100 pan) reason is it has a drain plug
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
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From: SE Florida
It is absurd, and untrue. The E4OD circulates fluid whenever the engine is turning.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
E4ODs are far from a unbeatable trans, They have their flaws like everything.
Like others said, clean COOL fluid is essential.
Personally I would be looking at a stick truck.
Here is a little bit of advice.
If you only have 3k to spend, look at 2k trucks. because ANYTHING you will buy in that price range is going to need AT LEAST 1000 in repairs
Like others said, clean COOL fluid is essential.
Personally I would be looking at a stick truck.
Here is a little bit of advice.
If you only have 3k to spend, look at 2k trucks. because ANYTHING you will buy in that price range is going to need AT LEAST 1000 in repairs
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Here is something close to your price range
You can sell the plow for 1000-1500 now that it is snow season and a dump will save a TON of time and you can fit ONE CORD in a mason dump. You will NOT fit one cord in a pickup unless you HAND STACK it and have sides. Then you have to HAND UNLOAD it too
https://poconos.craigslist.org/cto/4794370791.html
You can sell the plow for 1000-1500 now that it is snow season and a dump will save a TON of time and you can fit ONE CORD in a mason dump. You will NOT fit one cord in a pickup unless you HAND STACK it and have sides. Then you have to HAND UNLOAD it too
https://poconos.craigslist.org/cto/4794370791.html
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