Now I'm getting nervous

[Jay87LX]

One of the specific reasons I goty the expy was to tow my bike trailer- specifically to Myrtle next May for bike week. I had planned on doing all the maintenance to the whole truck including a trans service, fluid and filter change.
I just went on one of the VIN decoderer sites and learned my Expy has the
4R100 trans, googled it and learned they have some issues. Now I am nervous about towing a trailer all that way. UGH!!!!
I learned they do have some upgrade kits but are very expensive. Any suggestions?
The truck has 94K on it and runs flawlessly

 

[jacks3am]

your fine all you have to do is take care of it, if you neglect it or abuse it when its cold then yeah its gonna bust anyways. If I was you I wouldnt worry a bit about it, if you really cared about it ALOT go to www.monstertrans.com and search for a heavy duty version of your transmission its like 1500 - 1700. just go until this one poops out and dont be scared to tow I have 160000 on mine and tow also

 

[Jay87LX]

do these trucks come stock with trans coolers? Should I look at upgrading to a larger cooler if so?

 

[toms89]

Yes they have a small trans cooler. It also goes through radiator cooler too...though I believe that is mainly to get the trans up to temp quicker. Many have done superduty cooler upgrade.

I have had no issues with mine to date and I frequently tow a 3,000 pound boat full of gear and full truck. Estimate GVW with boat @ about 9,500 lbs.

 

[alaskanexpy]

you should be fine, its the same trans in my excursion also. take care of it and it'll take care of you

 

[rburch]

Like everyone is saying, Take care of it! I had searched for my tranny and found a tech article and the guy who wrote it says to change tranny fluid every 12,000-20,000 miles where as Ford suggests changing every 21,000-30,000.

Its like your motor oil. You change it every 3-5 thousand miles because it breaks down. Well the same goes for tranny fluid, it has friction modifiers that alter the friction of the material that break down also.

The 4R100 is the same tranny they put behind Lightnings that make some big power. This tranny was also Behind the Powerstroke also!

 

[Jay87LX]

Whew!!
Thanks alot guys. The last thing I want is to be stuck with a trailer full of bikes far away from home.
What are you guys using for filters and fluid?
I also have another thread about rear end fluid suggestions but with no replies, thanks again

 

[alaskanexpy]

this reminds me i need to change mine, i'm sure its never been done and i'm at 77k now.

 

[rburch]

I need to do mine also, but im so fing broke! Also need to do diff and trans case!

 

[alaskanexpy]

yeah i need to do antifreeze, diffs, t-case's and tranny on my expy and excursion...CHA-CHING! lol

 

[Exp099]

Wait ithough all Expeditions had the 4R70W automatic transmisson??

 

[BakerEdition]

did all mine and changed everything over to synthetics and us wix filters from Napa or K&N...the cheaper oil filters don't have the double check valve in them and the one check valve helps hold oil pressure after shut off. change oil every 3k, trans every 15k, front and read diffs every 8k and also ad the LSD additive to the rear..coolant flushed every 20k...no problems thus far.....