Automatic Trans conversion
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Dago USA... SO CAL
Automatic Trans conversion
Hi,
I'm new to the site so allow myself to introduce.... myself. I have a 1999 Expedition 5.4 and a 1995 F350 2wd Crew cab Dually with a PSD and ZF 5-spd. The F350 for years has been my reliable tow vehicle for taking the toyhauler to the desert or the flatbed and race car to the track. Unfortunately my hard driving is taking its toll on it. Although it just got a new clutch about a year ago, the ZF 5 speed started to grind going into 3rd a few months back and most recently the shifter sometimes jumps back out of 2nd gear when i engage the clutch. Its got 210K miles so the trans is just tired and my hard driving doesnt help.
So since i sometimes make the wife haul the kids around in it, i have been considering a conversion to an automatic.
naturally before i jump headfirst into this deal, I need to know what all this entails. I have a line on an E4OD trans out another PSD but i was wondering if i need to swap out the computer too. What else will i need to get from the donor vehicle (beside the pedal assembly) to make this work? I was curious what year transmission i should look for and what i should steer away from. Will a late model trans from a 6.0 PSD work?
any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Rick
I'm new to the site so allow myself to introduce.... myself. I have a 1999 Expedition 5.4 and a 1995 F350 2wd Crew cab Dually with a PSD and ZF 5-spd. The F350 for years has been my reliable tow vehicle for taking the toyhauler to the desert or the flatbed and race car to the track. Unfortunately my hard driving is taking its toll on it. Although it just got a new clutch about a year ago, the ZF 5 speed started to grind going into 3rd a few months back and most recently the shifter sometimes jumps back out of 2nd gear when i engage the clutch. Its got 210K miles so the trans is just tired and my hard driving doesnt help.
So since i sometimes make the wife haul the kids around in it, i have been considering a conversion to an automatic.
naturally before i jump headfirst into this deal, I need to know what all this entails. I have a line on an E4OD trans out another PSD but i was wondering if i need to swap out the computer too. What else will i need to get from the donor vehicle (beside the pedal assembly) to make this work? I was curious what year transmission i should look for and what i should steer away from. Will a late model trans from a 6.0 PSD work?
any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Rick
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
Likes: 5
From: Johnson City, TN.
Are you sure you wanna go auto? If so get a trans from brianstruckshop.com.
I would consider taking over some of your old parts from the manual if that is the way you go. I would personally stay with the 5 speed and let the wife learn the shifter. I got my wife an EX. For that reason. So I didn't have to give up my 5 spd.
I would consider taking over some of your old parts from the manual if that is the way you go. I would personally stay with the 5 speed and let the wife learn the shifter. I got my wife an EX. For that reason. So I didn't have to give up my 5 spd.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Dago USA... SO CAL
Originally Posted by Neal 97 250
Are you sure you wanna go auto? If so get a trans from brianstruckshop.com.
I would consider taking over some of your old parts from the manual if that is the way you go. I would personally stay with the 5 speed and let the wife learn the shifter. I got my wife an EX. For that reason. So I didn't have to give up my 5 spd.
I would consider taking over some of your old parts from the manual if that is the way you go. I would personally stay with the 5 speed and let the wife learn the shifter. I got my wife an EX. For that reason. So I didn't have to give up my 5 spd.
I definitely prefer the manual for towing but my dually is also my daily driver for at least of half of my annual mileage. I spend a lot of time in So Cal stop and go traffic and for that type of driving, I'd much rather have an automatic. The wife can drive it already but she clocks a lot of miles in traffic too.
I take it the E4OD is not up to the task of towing an 8000#-10,000# toyhauler for very long?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
The E4OD is just fine for towing in my opinion. I pull a trailer and a boat on occasion and it does just fine. The key to it is knowing when to use OD and when not to. I have never been a fan of Automatics and have always owned manual trannys, but I do have to say I like the auto in a big truck. It is much less to deal with when driving around in town.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: Montague, MI.
I have put 40,000 miles on my E4OD while towing 8 to 10,000 lbs. The trick is to keep it cool and change the fluid every 30,000 miles. If you do the swap you might want to put in a better converter and valve body in it first. That will help it live longer also.
