I have a newly built 351w pushing almost 400hp. Was wondering what a good transmission to match with it for a 4x4 daily with frequent highway use and slight offroading would like to stay auto but will consider manual. Is there any help I could be given?

 

Yes, but you didn’t mention year, model, carb or fuel injected, what transmission came in the truck and is that what is still in there?

computer controlled overdrive: E4OD

No computer but no overdrive: C6

You can get a built AOD to get both overdrive and no computer

 

aren’t AODs temperamental or have some things issue that makes them less desired?I may be wrong

kinda like a gm example of 4l60e va a 700r4 but at least they both suck factory in their own way

 

can a 4rw100 or whatever it’s deSignated go behind small blocks or did they only go behind tritons(if there is a difference in bell housing?)

 

4R70W. It also came behind the 302 small block and I would recommend it over the E4OD/4R100 for the OP’s application. You just need a way to control it.

 

Why would you prefer that over the more heavy duty E4OD?

 

Because he can put in excess of 400 HP to it without breaking and I think it’s much more reliable than the E4. Shouldn’t rob him of as much power either. But if his truck is already equipped with the E4 I’d say stick with that and rebuild it with all the updated hard parts rather than try and and make the 4R70W work.

 

I meant the 4r100 which is newer and got beefed internals to my understanding and peanut brain.

 

Correct, what you want are the later 4R100 parts particularly from a diesel application.

 

does the lighter duty 4..Numbers 70 trans you guys refer to have a crisper or more drive-around friendly characteristics than e4od? If so, it may be preferable to a 302 made for power in a truck that doesn’t do truck stuff like pull trailers or haul stuff. Like if he was going for a street machine powerful yes but maybe faster shifts or better ratios for tht kind of driving?

Ignore me completely if that trans has no meaningful benefit for that kind of driver

Im just thinking about my old c6 in my old LTD and that was very crisp consistent trans minus a periodic shift to 3 that seemed early but that put absolutely dog *** out for power so what difference did it make. 16 second 0-60 to maybe a 14? Lol
longer than my f150 tho…

 

you say parts does that mean internals that are compatible but the whole trans can’t ?
Presumably because of modified or tritons?
what the hell did modified engines come with now that I ask. I had a 2001 merc 4.6

and my dad has a 2001 e150, what did that come with (5.4)

 

My ‘94 Bronco (302/E4OD) was reliable. It did seem to take a lot of power. I don’t have any experience with the 4R70W.

 

What is your intended use for the truck? For Mostly highway driving, and occasional light off-roading, I'd say Build, or buy a Built AOD, that's been updated with the later hard parts. The AOD can be temperamental, but they're not rocket science, you just have to make sure you've got the TV Cable adjusted properly.

The C6 or E4OD/4R100 would work fine for your application as well, you're just giving up more horsepower that makes it directly to the wheels, due to them being a heavier-duty transmission. The C6 is pretty close to indestructible in most light-duty applications, but your mileage will take a hit. The E4OD/4R100 is going to require a computer to run it, but you gain a lockup converter, and an overdrive gear, that the C6 lacks.

 

I had an AOD behind a hopped up 5.8 that was reliable, I didn't baby it and the truck saw a fair bit of light towing.. snowmobiles. That trans is a bit quirky compared to the modern electronically controled versions, there are only 4 ratios and no TC clutch to lock or unlock, but if it's the potential for better hwy milage you want this could be a good option.

The two full size vans I have owned with the 4r75w and have been 100% reliable, these trucks both have 4.10 gears and weigh 5500lbs empty and I towed as much as 5-6k with them without issue. I like the way this trans functions overall, the gear spacings are just right and the locking TC functions like a 1/2 gear step between 3rd and 4th, shifts are definitive but not jarring.

I don't have a lot of experience with E4OD trucks but the times I did it seamed to have rediculiusly lazy shifts, I can't see how that could be good for trans lifespan. There are a lot more threads on this forum for E4OD problems than the other transmissions, it could just be because there are more copies in use but it gives the impressiomn that it is more failure prone.

I think either one of these autos could be a good option with some upgrades, the AOD would be the simplest being an all mechanical trans while the other two will need a computer and some wiring.

 

Uh, the AOD has a lockup converter. Always did. It's just not something you can hookup a switch to, like the E4OD, and kick it on and off. It's hydraulically controlled.