4 speed vs 6 speed

[andrew_s]

I have searched this endlessly and I guess I just need more input. I have settled on a Ford Expedition over a tahoe and now Im wondering about if I should get a 2006 3v or try and find a higher mileage 2007+.

When I worked for ford I only experienced the 4 speed and it seemed perfect to me for what it was. They still use them in panel vans from what I have been told (may have changed) which tells me the transmission is good for hauling/work horse tasks. I have also heard about people complaining about the 6 speeds OD causing heartburn.

On the flip side I have heard alot of talk about MPG for the 6 speed and slightly better performance which is nice.

Im looking for as reliable/rugged as possible, but also want to get the lowest mileage and price as I can. Is the 6 speed truly worth the extra money and miles? or is the 4 speed more then up for the job? Thanks yall!

 

[tonydiv]

I don't know that it makes a huge difference.

But I would say that if you want rugged, look for one with the heavy duty towing package.

 

[andrew_s]

The HD tow package is a priority for the one I buy. I do alot of traveling during the summer and my current Grand Cherokee cooling systems arent as good as I like even with the HD tow package and upgrades. So an aux cooler and larger radiator is a must have as well as the 3.73 gearing.

The only issue Im currently having is about the transmission and which is more reliable and if the 6 speed is a big enough difference to warrant extra money for higher miles/less options.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I have the 4 speed E4OD with 218k on the original. I have heard good things about the newer model 4 speeds as well. Don't know anything about the 6 speeds though. More cogs means more hunting, so I would naturally prefer the more simple 4 speed.

 

[andrew_s]

I have the 4 speed E4OD with 218k on the original. I have heard good things about the newer model 4 speeds as well. Don't know anything about the 6 speeds though. More cogs means more hunting, so I would naturally prefer the more simple 4 speed.

This is the problem my Grand Cherokee has when hauling. The 545rfe is a strong transmission, but the 5 speed does ALOT of hunting on hilly terrain. Then again the standard output 4.7 is a revver and kinda light on umph at 235hp/295tq.

While I have driven countless 1st and 2nd gen expeditions I have never hauled a family with on. But despite that the transmissions were always smooth and the performance was always on par or better especially with the 2nd gen. Only issues they ever came in for back then was the 3 thread spark plug heads blowing them out (updated heads came out before I left) and rear ends blowing on the IRS 2nd gens. While a rear end is something I can easily do out front of my house Im hoping by 2006 they have beefed up or fixed the issue.

 

[FisherPete]

I put 250K on my '99 5.4 with HD towing ... lots of miles pulling my 3500# boat. I was always unhappy with the way it downshifted going up hills. I'm now driving a '12 5.4 w/HD towing and the 6 speed auto does a much better job finding the right gear. No more redline surprises. And I've gone from 11 mpg to 15+ mpg with the new rig. My recommendation is to go with the newer 6 speed tranny.

 

[andrew_s]

Interesting.

 

[TactialMonkey]

ok well I have the 4 speed and my buddy has a 6 speed realistically he never gets it out of 4th in the city and I never get out of 3rd the main reason to having the other gears is just for mpg on the highway personally I would go 2 valve with mods but that's just me hahah if you really wanna go crazy get a manual 5 speed in there

 

[andrew_s]

LoL I wish! Honestly if I get an expedition it will be mostly stock as I have a jeep grand cherokee for modding. I would love to do the typical bolt ons and some e rated AT tires, but past that I think its time to have a mostly stock truck for a little while. The 3v gives the best numbers stock so it makes the most sense. But Ill admit the 1st gen do look tempting. E40D and alot more mods and a solid rear (coming from solid front and rear jeep will be hard to go full independent) make it a very tempting option and the price even for a decent mileage is great! But the wife would "prefer something newer" as would I since I need this to be my daddy-mobile for the next 200k+ miles.

 

[06king]

06... 4 speed

I like my 4 speed - tows fine - in hilly roads sometimes I put it in D... but that is normal... (maybe the 6 speed might be able to keep 4th and even 5th longer...) - not sure... depends on the gear ratios (of the 6 speed) & weight being pulled... I am pulling and extra 6000 apx (trailer & stuff).

On a negative note, I just had to change the check balls in the valve body w/ only 109 000 KMS... found one that was broken in 1/2... not a big deal (other than 7 hours of interrupted work in my garage - not really a mechanic

I never had anything like that happen in any other car I owned... but as soon as I mentioned the symptoms to my mechanic... he told me what it was right a way (that's not a good sign).

But I am pretty sure the 6 speed as pretty much all other tranny's have rubber/plastic check balls as well...

The AOD & later derivative tranny's are pretty durable though...

 

[TactialMonkey]

LoL I wish! Honestly if I get an expedition it will be mostly stock as I have a jeep grand cherokee for modding. I would love to do the typical bolt ons and some e rated AT tires, but past that I think its time to have a mostly stock truck for a little while. The 3v gives the best numbers stock so it makes the most sense. But Ill admit the 1st gen do look tempting. E40D and alot more mods and a solid rear (coming from solid front and rear jeep will be hard to go full independent) make it a very tempting option and the price even for a decent mileage is great! But the wife would "prefer something newer" as would I since I need this to be my daddy-mobile for the next 200k+ miles.

get an 02' hahaha you can always do a face lift on it as well but the 9.75" and the 8.8" front are possibly the best thing in the world and I mean the 2v is just a big carbureted engine with a fuel pump really I have a cast intake manifold haahahah you can tell ford was lazy on that

 

[andrew_s]

I like my 4 speed - tows fine - in hilly roads sometimes I put it in D... but that is normal... (maybe the 6 speed might be able to keep 4th and even 5th longer...) - not sure... depends on the gear ratios (of the 6 speed) & weight being pulled... I am pulling and extra 6000 apx (trailer & stuff).

On a negative note, I just had to change the check balls in the valve body w/ only 109 000 KMS... found one that was broken in 1/2... not a big deal (other than 7 hours of interrupted work in my garage - not really a mechanic

I never had anything like that happen in any other car I owned... but as soon as I mentioned the symptoms to my mechanic... he told me what it was right a way (that's not a good sign).

But I am pretty sure the 6 speed as pretty much all other tranny's have rubber/plastic check balls as well...

The AOD & later derivative tranny's are pretty durable though...

From what I remember the 4R70W and 4R75E are based off the AOD series and while not as "heavy duty" as the EOD they are just fine for harry home owner. As for putting it in "D" when I haul I flip OD off or else it hunts and the temps spike bad.

get an 02' hahaha you can always do a face lift on it as well but the 9.75" and the 8.8" front are possibly the best thing in the world and I mean the 2v is just a big carbureted engine with a fuel pump really I have a cast intake manifold haahahah you can tell ford was lazy on that

Stop that! Youre a bad influence tempting my modding side to get a 1st gen. Must...stay...mostly...stock