I just finished the install and test drive. Folks, you have GOT to get you one of these. The shift improvment is nothing short of amazing. I would have never thought my 6500 pound Gator could 'get' second gear as good as it does.

 

What are you talking about? Please explain, I'm an interested owner of a 99 Expy XLT Sport with the 5.4

 

In the old days we would call them a shift kit. In this case, 'Factory Tech' is the manufacturer (as I understand it, a company started by a Ford Factory Transmission technician) and the part is a 'valve body' (a plate of metal that looks something like a printed circuit board except it has channels instead of traces) that replaces the stock one in your transmission.

Today's transmission are electronically controlled and some folks use chip programming to modify their vehicle's shift behavior. I can't say as an expert to understand the difference between doing it that way or going the valve body route as I have, but I took the advice of some learned friends that have Lightnings and have been pleased.

You just can't possibly imaging the difference; well, maybe you can, but it IS that good.

 

sweet, thanks for the info!
I'm starting to love this forum, great wealth of info!!
I have been getting crap from my friends and dad ever since i got my Expy a couple months ago,people saying Fords(especially Expeditions)are the biggest pieces of crap and how Chevys are much better. I'm not married to one make of vehicle like some people, I buy what I like!

 

Where did you buy yours from?
Here is some good info...
http://www.chikenearsengineering.com/accumulator.htm

 

That's the place Tyger.

 

What did you pay for it and how was the install?

 

I read on another forum that install takes about 2 hours if you just drain the fluid in the pan. Could take longer if you drain and replace all the fluid. Either way, it's messy!

hkiefus;
Did you buy the 4X4 pan w/ filter, or just the body?
What tranny fluid did you use?

 

I paid about 235 as I recall. I have a 4x so I already have the deep pan. I drained the converter as well. Replaced the filter too. Took about an hour. Refilled with good old Ford Mercon.

The install couldn't be any easier. Probably one of the most gratifying modifications a novice can easily do.

 

With the money I recently saved from doing my own tune-up, I splurged and ordered a Factory Tech Valve Body. As I have mentioned before, I am close to 100,000 miles on my Expy (1999). In the process of changing ALL the fluids, I figured since I was dropping the tranny pan anyways, I might as well treat myself (for the good of the truck, of course) to this "extra". As HKIEFUS mentioned in the above post, the shift difference is amazing. It's definitely the way to go if your considering a increase to your transmission's shifting. Also, taking the word of Greg Evans, this should really help to extend the life of the tranny. (Links provide above for some good info) Also, knowing and seeing that it is actually a oringinal Ford part that your installing, I have no cencerns about installing this part whatsoever. The install took me the better part of two hours, but I'm slow.(**** is the word my girlfriend uses). Once again, the tech articles listed on this forum were referenced along with the instructions for changing out the Valve Body to change out my tranny fluid and filter. I think I may have "wasted" a quart, but I know I got out 99% of the old fluid. I said before I wasn't going to change types of fluid, but I did go with the Mobil1 ATF. I hope I have made a good choice. I have to say, with the tune-up, and changing the tranny fluid and with the new Valve Body from Factory Tech, I'm good to drive this thing for a long, long time. Thanks again for the forum. It's been a tremendous help and a valued hands on guide. (Maybe I can convince my girlfriend that I saved enough money doing all this work myself, that I can afford the new SuperDuty. nah... )

 

I have Greggs 2C accumulator in my '03 Lightning. Gregg is top notch to deal with. Shifts are positive and very firm. Not sure how I would like this in an Expy though. My wife would hate it for sure. She actually quit driving the lightning after the mods started
Tim at Chickenears is the place to get the valve body. Install is messy but no big deal. Drain fluid, Drop pan, remove valve body and install new. You do need a torque wrench that reads in/lb.

This mod is much easier on your tranny than using a chip to raise line pressures, It's the way a lightning should have came from Ford.

Scott

 

As I read this thread again, I've got to say the novelty has not worn off. With this A4WD I get an interesting effect. As the 1-2 shift occurs the rear tires break loose upon which the front two engage. I happens rather quick but the effect is different than what one is used to on a sharp shifting vehicle. The rear end squats hard followed by a moment later when the front squats; traction is restored and the 2-3 shift quickly approaches.

When 4-Hi is engaged from the start it just plain *****s-and-gets. I wish I could bring myself to do a run in 4-Lo, just to see how quick I can get up. Trans Tech friend says the t-case will handle it just fine, I'm just a little worried of what will happen. Did this on a friend's Explorer and it shifted back to 4-Hi (rather harshly I might add) at about 40.