Transmission Bad? 2004 Ford Expedition XLT

[TheOneDH]

2004 Ford Expedition XLT
5.4L w/ 4x4

Hello, this is my first post but I am a long time lurker.

I have a 2004 Ford Expedition xlt, the transmission has lost the overdrive gear as well as the reverse gear and I'm looking at replacement Transmissions possibly from a Pick-n-Pull so that I can get my transmission rebuilt at a later date, but I'm getting a lot of conflicting information on which transmission I have.

My door sticker says: TR - W

I went to a couple of different VIN Decoding websites and it doesn't specify accurate information about my Expedition, one of them says it was a special services vehicle but this I don't believe was because it's got all of the normal 2004 Ford Expedition interior as well as parts almost everything on this is Factory.

I don't want to pull the wrong transmission out of Pick-n-Pull until I can get mine rebuilt.

Myself there's anybody that could point me in the right direction to actually find out what transmission I have that would be greatly appreciated the build date on my Expedition is 11/03.

Hopefully there's somebody here that can help me out

 

[whtbronco]

I am no definitive source for this, but it appears there's only 2 possibilities the 4R70W and 4R100. The 4R70W being by far the most common in our Expeditions. They are quite different transmissions so you should be able to fairly easily identify them from the case and the fluid pan. Below is a pic of the fluid pans 4R100 on the left 4R70W on the right.

My 2004 also has the trans code W and it is a 4R70W.

 

[TheOneDH]

From what I have read or understand is that the 4r70w and 4r75w are basically the same with the 75 having the additional speed sensor?

Even checking the local pick-n-pull website (attached picture) calls for the 4r75w in the 5.4 with 4x4...

So so confusing

 

[whtbronco]

Yes the 70 and 75 are basically the same. I think it depends on the model year. There should be a tag on your transmission that might help identify it. In fact the image you posted has what I would expect to find, such as 4L1P-DA for a 5.4L 4x4 . If it's just an additional speed sensor see if you can find a diagram for each transmission wire harness as the pinout is likely different, maybe an additional wire.

If the intent is to rebuild the original transmission and the salvage yard transmission is simply to provide you a ride while the rebuild is done maybe think about offering a friend or neighbor a few hundred bucks to borrow a spare vehicle for a couple weeks. It would save a lot of work and prevent taking the gamble of the used transmission working properly. Might not even cost any more money.

 

[whtbronco]

A quick search on eBay identified the label location, the eBay sellers often take and post lots of pictures so it's a good resource for this.

The 2 pictures below are reported as a 2004 Expedition 5.4L and we know it's 4WD from the tail shaft housing. Due to heat shields you will likely have to climb under your truck and slip a thin camera up beside the transmission and take a picture of the label to read it, a cell phone might work.



I found another pic identified as a 2004 Expedition with 5.4L that is clearly a 2WD transmission with ID 4L1P CA. So it would appear that the list in your previous post is accurate and we have a 4R75W/E transmission as opposed to an actual 4R70W. Interesting to me. I thought the 4R75 started in 2005.

 

[whtbronco]

I had to jack up my truck for a minute so I grabbed my wifes cell phone and was able to get a pic of my trans ID tag. By placing the phone about 4" behind the front of the pan and up against the heat shield with slight angle upward I got it. Based on your list I in fact have a 4R75W.

 

[TheOneDH]

Heck yeah brother, I'm gonna double check mine tonight!

 

[TheOneDH]

I had to jack up my truck for a minute so I grabbed my wifes cell phone and was able to get a pic of my trans ID tag. By placing the phone about 4" behind the front of the pan and up against the heat shield with slight angle upward I got it. Based on your list I in fact have a 4R75W.

Hey when you were under there, do you remember if you had 2 sensors or only 1 sensor?

 

[whtbronco]

I didn't look. I just reached under there and snapped a couple pics until I found the right spot. I may have time to take a look over the next few days.

I know where the output speed sensor is, I'm not sure where the input speed sensor would be. Looking at AllDataDIY it appears the 4R7xW output speed sensor is on the driver side near the extension housing. The only place I see another speed sensor is the input speed sensor on the 4R100 which is clearly not the transmission in my truck.

 

[TheOneDH]

That's one sensor, located near the shifter.

im in a tossup to throw a puck-n-pull transmission in this Expy and attempt to rebuild my transmission myself.

The rebuild kit is $250 for the basic rebuild kit and $350 for a heavier duty kit i think, which isn't super expensive.

My wife told me to just get another Expedition, but I really love my rusty Expy.

It's been super reliable for me, has literally taken me all over the US, and never let me down. She's made me a buttload of money doing private deliveries for customers, which is why I'm so sad about my transmission

 

[whtbronco]

I think I'd be more inclined to rebuild the salvage yard transmission and hope to only swap it once.

Of course having said that I rebuilt the transfer case I got from the salvage yard. Really it was just a seal and bearing kit. I then rebuilt my original transfer as well since it had far less wear. It was also much easier the 2nd time.

I'll get out there and check for another sensor this week.

 

[TheOneDH]

I think I'd be more inclined to rebuild the salvage yard transmission and hope to only swap it once.

Of course having said that I rebuilt the transfer case I got from the salvage yard. Really it was just a seal and bearing kit. I then rebuilt my original transfer as well since it had far less wear. It was also much easier the 2nd time.

I'll get out there and check for another sensor this week.

Im gonna have to pull the trigger on one or the other lol

Right now the wife and I are down to 1 vehicle, a 2004 Ford Explorer with the 4.6L

Ill have to do something before the end of the year though lol

 

[whtbronco]

I finally got time to get under the truck, sorry I have worked nearly around the clock for several days now. Anyway, I found just 3 connectors and they match the diagram below, only 1 speed sensor. I took a pic of the speed sensor and the main connector, the only other connector is the range sensor.