I had a '94 F250 460 with the E4OD. It had been mainly used for towing a travel trailer (8-9K). It had over 90K on it when I wrecked it and it had had the fluid changed twice. I think the E4OD (4R100) get a bad rap. I think they are good trannys if you use some common sense.

Frank

 

You guys that have a bunch of miles on your autos, do you worry about driving around town in OD or towing in OD? I had a '95 460 (122k) with 3.55's and I could tow nicely in 3rd (CA, so I can't go real fast). I just got a '96 PSD 4x4 (125K) that has 4.11's and I have to tow in OD. I just wonder if you guys are concerned about it.

I have 9' cabover camper and tow my Jeep on a trailer.

 

As long as your tranny isn't hunting for a gear, you should be good to go with towing in OD. Heat gets generated when the tranny starts to hunt, and is bad news for your tranny fluid.

The best way to know is via a tranny gauge.

 

Hi, I have a 96 with 212 thousand no problems yet but we will be taking a 7,000 mi trip pulling a 10,000lb load or more,so we problay will rebuild the trans before just to play it safe, If anyone can tell me some good mods for the trans. I would app.thanks

 

fat 47, do a search for sonnax valve and tricumulator springs.

 

RockinXJ, you said you have to tow in overdrive. Why is that? I pull a 5wheel trailer that is never less then 20K and most times up way more than that. I always pull it out of overdrive and let the PSD run the R's up.

Doesn't get any worse fuel milage like that either and its easier on the PSD running the R's up to 2700-3000 depending on highway speeds. Way cooler temps on things too. Just wondered why you say you have to tow in OD???

 

Do the ford tansmissions already come with a cooler, or is it recommended to get an aftermarket one?

 

Well, I guess I don't have to. I didn't think it was good, especially for mileage, to run that high an rpm at cruise speed. I've read around here that to get the best mileage it's best to keep it under 2000 rpm. Now, that's pretty hard with 4.11 gears....about 60 mph, but I didn't want to run up near 3000 unless I'm climbing a hill.

 

get yourself a torque converter that has a slight stall to it, maybe an 1800 or so. Also, get a mild shift kit and VERY IMPORTANT!!!! BUY A BIG TRANS COOLER!!!! No one has mentioned this, but seriously, it's the best way to save your tranny. Also, it's soo cheap.

Erik

 

Ricky BR, Thanks for the info I will order them and have them installed when I have the trans. rebuilt, also thinking about going to synthetic trans. fluid. THANKS AGAIN & HAPPY POWER STROKING!

 

RockXJ, pulling I don't see any advantage in fuel mileage so much in or out of OD. Except that my truck has a lot easier time hauling a heavy load out of OD and I too have 4.10's and just let them R's rip. I have ran her from 2700-3000 for hours on end.

I do maintance my truck from one end to the other. I do have the tranny cooler to help that out. I have even ran flat enough country where I could keep the OD locked in with the 5th wheel, I get the same mileage pulling in OD at 2200 R's as I do out of OD and twisting R's up ward of 2700+++. It just seems the PSD even at the higher R's is just more effient like that with a really heavy load. I just want to get the intercooler on mine with a few other things I have in mind next LOL...

 

All my towing is in OD unless it gets to hunting.

Frank

 

I have a 68 Ranger with an Auto trans. Are temp Gauges made for them also? As for a tranny cooler? Do you mean the type that looks like a Lil Radiator, without the water of course. And if this type is used, do you still run the fluid through the Radiator???

 

Thanks. I'll try it both ways and see if it makes any difference. With the load that I pull, it does pull pretty good in OD, but I always kick it out when I'm climbing.

 

This is an infomative thread. Let me chime in and say that based on what I have read, I definitely need a temp gauge and I do not have any common sense. I bought my truck when it had 97,000 miles on it. I pulled a light (6,500 pound) travel trailer through Colorado. On the way home, the O/D light started flashing. I was trying to limp her home to TX when she puked he guts on top of La Veta Pass. Bummer. Had her towed to Pueblo where I was told that the clutches came apart and distributed junk throughout the tranny. So, one week and $2,800 later I was on my way home with a new Ford tranny. I believe the tranny was damaged goods when I bought the truck.

Well, here is where the gauge and common sense thing comes in. Last weekend, I pulled my fiver to a state park about 100 miles from the house. As I got the trailer backed in, I noticed that all of the tranny fluid was running out of it. It is now at the shop. No word as of yet. This tranny only has 20,000 miles on it, and I had it serviced at about 15,000. I also installed an aftermarked cooler (much bigger than stock). This tranny has less than 3,000 miles of towing on it. I tow in O/D, as the owner's manual says I can, at 60-65 MPH, and I am very aware of when the tranny starts looking for gears (I turn off O/D).

Suffice it to say, I am not a fan of automatic tranny's for pulling. I welcome any and all opinions as to what I should do different in the future.

Jeff