E4OD Planetary Gears. Upgrade?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
E4OD Planetary Gears. Upgrade?
Hi guys, I'm back with another question. 
Upon disassembling my transmission, I discovered that all my planetary gears are the 3 pinion design. I'm trying to decide whether or not to upgrade them. And if I do upgrade them, what to upgrade to.
My engine is the 4.9, all stock. No performance upgrades and I'm not planning any. I'll be doing some light towing (6X12 enclosed trailer) and I might upgrade to a slightly bigger trailer in the future. I won't be doing any off-roading or racing, but I won't baby the truck either. Simply speaking, I want a trans that can take all a stock 4.9 will give it.
I have seen replacement planetary gears in two styles, 4 and 6 pinion. They come in aluminum or steel. Question is, which ones to get. I was thinking 6 pinion aluminum for the forward planet, 4 pinion aluminum for the overdrive planet and 4 pinion steel for the reverse planet. But I really don't know which ones I need, which is why I came here for help.
Any input you can give is much appreciated.
Thanks!
Upon disassembling my transmission, I discovered that all my planetary gears are the 3 pinion design. I'm trying to decide whether or not to upgrade them. And if I do upgrade them, what to upgrade to.
My engine is the 4.9, all stock. No performance upgrades and I'm not planning any. I'll be doing some light towing (6X12 enclosed trailer) and I might upgrade to a slightly bigger trailer in the future. I won't be doing any off-roading or racing, but I won't baby the truck either. Simply speaking, I want a trans that can take all a stock 4.9 will give it.
I have seen replacement planetary gears in two styles, 4 and 6 pinion. They come in aluminum or steel. Question is, which ones to get. I was thinking 6 pinion aluminum for the forward planet, 4 pinion aluminum for the overdrive planet and 4 pinion steel for the reverse planet. But I really don't know which ones I need, which is why I came here for help.
Any input you can give is much appreciated.
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Beings that you have a stock 4.9 and light towing just use factory planets and if you want to upgrade something upgrade your valve body. That'll do you the most good out of any mod. Coming from a guy with a e4od on a chipped powerstroke pulling horses on 35 inch tires
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice! My main concern with the original planets is that they have nearly 200K miles on them, some of those miles with low fluid. At the same time, I'd like to save the extra $ and not replace them...
This is a hard decision! But your advice is definitely helpful. Before this thread I was 90% sure I needed to upgrade them. Now I'm seriously considering reusing them.
I have a great idea, I'll go to bed and maybe there will be more advice here in the morning!
This is a hard decision! But your advice is definitely helpful. Before this thread I was 90% sure I needed to upgrade them. Now I'm seriously considering reusing them. I have a great idea, I'll go to bed and maybe there will be more advice here in the morning!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
I will inspect them for sharp edges and post some pictures of what I find.
Thanks!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
hmmm u know I can't recall. Iv rebuilt a few e4od and remember the diesel ones having better thrust bearings but idk about more planets I don't think so. The tranny I have now has been rebuilt and modified by some company. It's got billet tq converter shift kit and more clutches on the OD
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
The edges on the current planets look fine to me based on pictures of new planets.
I'm more concerned about the splines stripping out on the OD and forward planets than I am about the planet housings cracking. I don't want to floor the truck to get on the expressway and have it strip the OD or forward splines. But a drivetrain is only as strong as its weakest part, so I probably need to be worrying about something else than planetaries.
I'm more concerned about the splines stripping out on the OD and forward planets than I am about the planet housings cracking. I don't want to floor the truck to get on the expressway and have it strip the OD or forward splines. But a drivetrain is only as strong as its weakest part, so I probably need to be worrying about something else than planetaries.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
For anyone reading this thread, I couldn't resist upgrading the planetaries since I already had the transmission apart. I ended up purchasing the steel 6 pinion forward planet, the steel 4 pinion OD planet, and the aluminum 4 pinion reverse planet. I wanted steel for the forward and OD so that the splines would not strip out. The reverse planet doesn't get as much wear and tear, so I couldn't justify the expense of a steel 6 pinion planet for it.
Does anyone know why the pinion thrust washers have cracks in them at the base of the tabs?? My original ones were cracked so I was going to replace them, but it looks like new ones are cracked as well.
Are these cracks normal??
Does anyone know why the pinion thrust washers have cracks in them at the base of the tabs?? My original ones were cracked so I was going to replace them, but it looks like new ones are cracked as well.
Are these cracks normal??
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LilDuke
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
3
Dec 29, 2004 12:01 PM
pcman
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
2
Dec 23, 2001 08:34 PM