I've got the mod itch once more, and I found something that has caught my eye.

http://www.kdsperformance.com/aode4r70w1.html

My SC F-150 has a 4R70W mated behind my Diablo Delta chipped 5.4L. I would like to know just how well something like this firms up the shifts, and will it be able to help me tow a bit better in OD.

Also, can anyone tell me just what is the difference between these two kits is, and which one of these is the best, or which one would be the one you would get if you had $150 bucks burning a hole in your pocket?

I would also like to know just how this thing works, specifically what is used to set the tranny to act like a manual (on the expensive transgo kit)....is it a set of switches and toggles that are wired into the tranny?

I am also wondering how my Diablo chip will take something like this...will I need to have it reprogramed?

And for those who have one, was it really worth it?

TIA

 

Apparently I will need to have the chip reflashed for a shift kit as the combo will prolly make the shifts really harsh...

*sigh* I was hoping that I wouldnt have to send my chip in again.

 

....bump....

 

I have a Transgo shift kit and the Superchip's programmer done to my 98.Really firm shift's.

 

I can only recommend Jerry's Mod for any 4r70w transmission.

 

I installed a B&M shift kit from Summit in my 97 5.4 supercab with an E40D.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...&Ntt=shift+kit

I used the rv/towing option for the install. The shifting is pretty hard between 1st and 2nd and firm between the rest.
The 1st to 2nd shift really started to get on my nerves after a while and I was really starting to wish I never installed the kit.
I called B&M for some advice and they had me disconnect a wire the kit had me connect to the computer. THis made a significant difference to tame the shift a bit. I put a quick connect on the wire so I can connect disconnect whenever I want.
Since then I've gotten use to the shift. It will chirp the tires easily if I get on it. If you do install a kit, be ready for a most noticeably change in the way it shifts. Passengers will notice the shift as well. My wife hates the way it shifts and doesn't drive the truck hardly at all any more. My dad (a retired Ford supervisor) thought there was something wrong with the transmission until I told him I installed a shift kit. Then he just shook his head.
Also, the install wasn't that easy. Took me 4 -5 hours and I was a nervous wreck worrying about all the little ball bearings and parts I had to reinstall.
You may want to consider having a shop install it for you.
Good luck,
John

 

I may sound like an old fuddy dudde but im 17 and bought a 1997 4x4offroad f150, and i wouldnt do ANYTHING to the transmission of my truck unless i had somethin else to drive when the tranny croaks from not bein used properly

but it would be nice to have the beast drive like im jammin gears w/a hurst shifter

 

A good quick firm shift will actually make the tranny last longer because it eliminates the slippage between the gears. A Hard snapping shift is good for a car, but is hard on tranfer cases and u-joints.

 

I had a Factory Tech Valve Body in my old 98 F-150 (4R70W). It made quite a difference. I recommend it.... I also had the B&M Electronic shift kit in before that, but it's not really that good.

 

I was also told by some friends who are mechanics that a shift kit will actually extend the life of a tranny. I assumed this was because the clutches do not get nearly the wear and tear as the stock set up.
The thing i learned quickly about shift kits for automatics is that once installed the shifts are always hard (harsh might be another good adjective) - you can't have it both ways. When you have manual trans, you can get that hard, chirping, drink spilling shift when you want and that nice smooth easy shift when you don't.
John

 

Wow, thanks for settin me straight!
Now i wont look ignorant in person.

 

I know with most of the kits more specifically the transgo shift kit a person can change the harshness of the shift according to the size of hole that are drilled into the sperator plate in the valve body. Start small and work you way up. The bigger the hole the harsher it will shift. The catch here is that some holes are for better lubrication and some are for shift quality. The lubrication holes you want big but the holes that control the shift you want to be careful with. DO NOT go bigger than the kit recommends but you can go smaller and work your way up to a shift quality you are comfortable with until you get to the kits recommended size.
The way these kits are allowing automatic trann's to be controlled like standards is the new tranny's use electronic selonoids to control the shifts. So they let the driver signal the selonoids instead of the computer.