Getting transmission rebuilt, what else?

[direwulf23]

I'm going to go ahead and get my E4OD transmission rebuilt. What else do you guys think I should have done while they're in there? Are shift kits recommended? 4R100 pan? Solenoid? What do you guys think? Anything else?

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[icanfixall]

My main thought is get a pan with a drain plug in it. Its so much easier to change trans fluid with a pan that has a drain plug. Might want to change the universal joints and the center support bearing too. Have a drive shaft shop do it because they are equipped to do that work. Its simple for them and tuff for most of us. They will balance the shaft too. Be sure to ask for grease fittings in the joints too. They can place the grease fittings in any orientation you ask too. When I grease my u joints I lift one rear tire and block a front tire. Then shift to any gear cause its an auto trans and I'm able to spin the shaft to grease the fitting.

 

[direwulf23]

It does have factory u joints, and a balancer. The drive shat is nice and tight with no play. Should I still consider that?

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[kuskoal]

Build it to 1997 specs. Better pump(f5 code?), steel planetaries, transgo Tugger kit (I like the way mine shifts), 4r100 pan, and the updated center support. Use stock clutches in the packs, and i recommend a quality single disk torque converter. Triple disc for a ~180 hp engine? Can't see the worth of the extra investment.

I missed a lot off the top of my head, but I think I rebuilt mine for $1200 when I put in all the updated parts. It helps to talk to trans shops to get stuff for wholesale.

 

[direwulf23]

Did you do that yourself? I am going to pay someone, at least this time. A combination of time constraints and my low level of skill set this time and complexity of the automatic transmission

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[kuskoal]

I did! Took me a weekend and some redneck engineering to make a spring compressor and the special tools. If you are going to pay a shop to do it, I would weigh the costs of the shop doing a complete upgrade ( you or them order the newer parts, and they install) or finding a 1995+ e4od and having them do a stock rebuild with a good converter and the Transgo kit.

1995 they had a LOT of upgrades, but 1997 was the "prototype" 4r100. I forgot what they added but it was different. Probably not noticeable on our low hp engines. The trans shops will sell you the "top shelf" rebuild, which includes a shift kit. No hard parts. I think Baumann engineering has a list or a kit they sell of all the updated parts if you wanna buy the hard parts individually

http://www.becontrols.com/e4od.htm

^I was wrong. $350 for the 1997 parts 1995 had the pump and torque converter upgrade.

 

[direwulf23]

Well, I would prefer a thorough rebuild with upgraded parts. Thanks for the input, at least I know what conversation to have with the shop.
The shop comes recommended, and they stand by their work, which is a huge plus. They have a six month warranty they actually stand by. Occasionally he will swap your transmission if he already has one, so if I'm lucky he'll have a 95+ standing by.
Do you guys know if there is any issue with the 4R100 going into these trucks? I understand it to be a superior transmission. I will eventually get a parts truck and swap to the zf5 but that is down the road. Time is a big issue

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[kuskoal]

Im looking into an np435/ranger overdrive swap myself! After I blow the e4od up.

The 4r100 is basically a 1997-spec e4od with new internal speed sensors to monitor slipping in gear. Swap out the solenoid pack and torque converter and it SHOULD bolt in. 1997 was the pinnacle of Ford trucks imo. Easy 7.3 mods, badass transmissions and awesome axles, only flaw is the stupid drums on the sterling rear.

 

[direwulf23]

I have a gasser np435 in hand now, but it's bolted to an 87 300 I6. Would this even be remotely possible on my 94 7.3 IDI with a splitter or OD?

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[kuskoal]

Anything is possible! Its going to be a wide-ratio np435, got that nice 6.68 low gear. Find an idi bellhousing and it bolts in like a lego! The ranger is a 27% OD that bolts in front of the trans. Its 7" long so your drivetrain moves back. But 8 fwd speeds vs 5, I like it.

 

[direwulf23]

I'd still need all of the clutch and such parts for a diesel though, right? I can dig on a splitter (which I understand is available, the E4OD has obsorbed all of my research so far)? I can dig a splitter as I do drive big tricks for a living

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[kuskoal]

Unless you are good at floating synchronized transmissions! I like class 8 trucks. I do miss driving them a little.

You are correct. Need all linkages and cross members for your particular trans. Only bad part it that the ranger is expensive! Like $1400 for the kit.

 

[direwulf23]

Whew! That is a longer term ideal. But it would make a neat project and neat truck. I can research all of that more. For now I will be doing the transmission rebuild, which I currently have budgeted $2400 - $2800 for.

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[direwulf23]

Ha! I may even through on air brakes lo

1994 Ford F250 Superduty, 2wd, 7.3L IDI, NA, E4OD

 

[lotzagoodstuff]

FYI, here's a good E4OD build article from the Tech Articles:

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?28880-Notes-on-an-E4OD-build-up