Which transmission?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,970
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
On an '89, if you have the 4-speed auto trans, the button would be on the dash to the right of the steering column. Either 1989 or 1990 was the 1st year for the E4OD trans so I am betting yours has the C6 3-speed auto trans.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
What does it say on the gear indicator? PRNODD1, or PRND21?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive M/T: 1978/83 F100/150 300/302
RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive M/T: 1984/89 F150/250 2WD/4WD & Bronco 300/302/351W
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
C6 also available thru 1996.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
This is/was popular manual transmission speak and it can get confusing because there was just about every possible combination available in 3, 4, and 5 speed gear boxes over the years, smart people first indicate the number of forward gears the trans has and then specify if OD is present.
How many times does the trans shift up when accelerating? If it is 3 times then you likely have the E4OD 4spd automatic with the top gear being on overdrive ratio, if it only shifts twice then you have the 3spd C6 trans which does not have an OD ratio. The AOD 4sp auto was also available in the late '80s to early 90s but it wasn't factory installed behind the 5.8. That doesn't mean you don't have one because it will bolt in there are work just fine with the correct flexplate, but it would have been swapped in at some point by a previous owner.
How many times does the trans shift up when accelerating? If it is 3 times then you likely have the E4OD 4spd automatic with the top gear being on overdrive ratio, if it only shifts twice then you have the 3spd C6 trans which does not have an OD ratio. The AOD 4sp auto was also available in the late '80s to early 90s but it wasn't factory installed behind the 5.8. That doesn't mean you don't have one because it will bolt in there are work just fine with the correct flexplate, but it would have been swapped in at some point by a previous owner.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2016
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Anybody want to chime in with a 3 speed overdrive automatic
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,970
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
My 1990 F-Series brochure says this about the E4OD: "Introduced in select heavy-duty models in 1989, availability is expanded in 1990 to include selected models under 8500-lb. GVWR."
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,569
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
dealership salesmen freaked out when i ordered the 91 and 92 trucks with the C-6 trans. "why get that when the E4OD is a much better trans"
6 trucks, all with the same engine and same trans means only one part is needed in stock, not one part per truck and try to figure out where the part needed for that truck was at 2 am to get the truck back running.
6 trucks, all with the same engine and same trans means only one part is needed in stock, not one part per truck and try to figure out where the part needed for that truck was at 2 am to get the truck back running.
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