Not to highjack the post, but Howdy Steve!

 

I can't say for sure but I think the 5R110 didn't come out until 2005??

 

it is indeed a 4r100

 

Well in that case, it does NOT have tow/haul, it's got OD on/OFF

 

And if it IS a 100, it takes Mercon V trans fluid

 

Here's a line out of a parts manual:

"26007 Ford 5R110W transmission master Kit 2003-04, with bonded pistons"

Then next item was the same, only the 2005 model year!

Got the answer...the torq-shift only came with the diesel engine in 2004

 

Mine feels that way when I'm pulling a mountain or if I accelerate hard. From what I've read on here I think its the torque converter locking and/or unlocking.

If someone chimes in that this is indeed a problem, then I too am interested in whatever fix might be in order

Edit -- Before I bought my '04, I testdrove an '03 supercab and it felt the same way.

 

If you have an auto trans in an 04' gasser its a 4R100. The 4R100 only has an ON/Off button to lock out OD, no tow haul.

The 4R100 has a very soft mushy shift stradegy and TQ lockup takes forever, slides in and unlocks too much. If your trans is mechanically sound you can put a new accumulator on it however it will only firm up the shifts at the shift points and nothing else. TQ lockup, lag, shiftpoints and etc stay stock. Again if the trans is mechanically sound I would look at a tuner. I just removed the FT accumulator from my 04' 4R100 and went with a custom tune from Mike at Five Star Tuning. Really makes a difference and the tune is safe. the friggin TQ locks up much faster and stays locked.

 

I wasn't aware there was a difference between tow/ haul mode and overdrive on/off. I just figured it was a terminology thing... yet again I've learned something else! Thanks DKF, is that tune for gassers?

All my GM buddies run HP Tuners but it aint compatible with Fords yet

 

My manual says that the 4R100 Range selector is ___P,R,N,D,2,1
While the 5R110 is___ P,R,N,3,2,1

 

The tow/haul mode changes shift points up/down to keep power up where the OD on/off locks out OD. The 4R100 will still feel like 4 speed since the shifts are 1-2-3-TC lockup-OD (from what I understand there are some times that the TC will lockup after 2nd during extended slow speed towing, but don't quote me on that).

 

Now that we have determined what trans you have, to answer your original question:

Yes, there are many different "shift kits" available for your transmission.

They range from entire valve body replacements, down to an accumulator springs mod, and down even more to just drilling a few holes in the valve body.

The group here is very opinionated about their preferences, and will each give you theirs.

Pop

 

I've tried both the electronic method and a modified valve body. OD never goes in like I want, it's still kind of soggy compared to 1-2 and 2-3. My tuner gave me Stock, Mild, Firm and race shift pressures, I used race on all of them. Then I learned that the extra effort on the pump strains it and can cause it wear out prematurely, it was also supposed to "wash away" the lubricating properties of the fluid. I detuned the shift pressures and installed a factory tech valve body. The shifts were much crisper and the trans ran a bit cooler.

You can go for the B&M shift plus, a transgo shift kit or a modified valve body but after my experiences, I would just pony up the cash for the valve body with transgo coming in a close second.

 

I'll second the Factory Tech Valve Body (FTVB). Everything was already done to modify an OEM valve body from Greg Evans. All I had to do was drain and remove the pan, remove old valve body, install new valve body, replace the pan (the gasket is re-usable, but I replaced it anyway) and fill the tranny back up (I did the whole tranny flush while I was doing this, but I think the pan holds around 8qts or so). After that, drive it and enjoy! The shifts are very crisp and I'm happy now. Also, you need to ship the old valve body back to them (unless you want to eat the core charge).

 

Yes tune is for gassers. I have an SCT Xcal2 with a tune from mike at 5 star tuning. The only tuners I recommend are from SCT or Diablosport (At least for gassers) Either of those two give you the most bang for your buck, the best tunes, more adjustability and etc.



Guys I'm completely aware of valve bodies and etc for the 4R100. I just removed the factory tech accumulator from my truck. The FT unit only firms up shifts at the shift point thats it. Everything else is left stock and the TQ slips like a ***** and unlocks constantly. Tuning should be done in conjuction with a VB or other mechanical mod but its a somewhat long process to tweak everything so it works good. I did like the shift firmness with my FT VB but decided to remove it because getting the VB and tuning perfect was a PITA.

A tuner is very safe for the drivetrain, trans included IF you don't go wild on the shift pressures and torque modulation and pressure is increase at the shift point only. The majority of shops that do custom tuning know where the line is. I monitor trans line pressure on my Scangauge and there is little difference in line pressure between my FT VB with stock trans settings and the tune I'm running now.