transmission options for mavericks

Hello all,

I am doing some research into the possibility of changing the transmission in the Maverick in my signature to an automatic overdrive.
I am not too keen on the idea of a AOD transmission that shifts with a TV cable. (Throttle valve?) Those things seemed to me they were clunky and I had a 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis that had one and the plastic clip that secures the TV cable to the linkage broke and it screwed the transmission up, royally.

I had a 1992 MGM with the same transmission and currently my 1996 MGM that is my daily driver has a 4R70W that has just been wonderful.

Now, I am wondering what I will need to do to adapt this transmission to my application. I have been told that the AOD transmission uses the TV cable to shift. The AODE shifts electronically as does the 4R70W and the 4R75W. Just what will I need to consider/modify to make this work? I need to know everything connected with the transmission from driveshaft length to shift actuation and ancillary systems, (eg. speedometer, final drive ratios, etc.) I understand a carbureted engine needs to turn at 2,300 rpms due to the fact that a carb doesn't get out of the idle circuit until about 1800 rpms. I haven't pencil whipped it, but, I'd say the current rear axle ratio of 2.79 is undesirable and will need to be changed. If my memory serves me correctly, our cars have a removable carrier and I understand it is a matter of pulling the axles and dropping this center "carrier" as my dad likes to call it. I understand the ratio of 3.55 is desirable. Also, I understand that there is an aftermarket company that manufactures a transmission support for our cars. Is this compatible with the 4R70W transmission? Opinions, please and thanks. Craig.

 

For a 4R70W I believe you'll need to find one from a 5.0 Explorer, as the 4.6 version won't bolt to a 5.0... Not sure what year the switch was made from AODE to 4R70W(wide ratio AODE), but I think it was approx '96...

There are stand alone controllers that will operate the electronic trans... AFAIK the only mechanical changes will be a custom cross member and assuming you have a early engine a 28oz, 164T flexplate..

 

Keep your current Trans and use a gear vendors unit.

 

Craig

On the Ford Muscle Form there is a member that is putting a 4r70w in a fairlane he is using a 4r out of a v6 mustang and a aftermarket controller. One thing about using a 4r out of a v6 mustang is there not beat up or hot rodded to must

 

I had forgotten about the explorer. It used the 5.0 liter until about 2001. I don't know about the Explorer, but, on the panther platform, 1996 was the first year of the 4R70W. What about the speedometer? I know I had a 1987 Lincoln Mark VII and it had a gear in the transmission, but, it had an electronic sensor attached to that gear instead of the cable. One more thing, just how much "massaging" is needed to install this transmission in our cars? Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

O.K. I'll bite: what is a "gear vendors unit?" Thanks for your reply, Craig.

 

I'll have it rebuilt, anyway. Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

someone likes AODs in mavericks...I've sold over 200 crossmembers for the swap.
I've had a...stock AOD...a modded AOD and a full race w/trans brake AOD in my mav at one time or other.
also a Gear Vendors OD.

these are the parts for the AOD hookup...

Summit...
TV/TC bracket - SRK-4000 -
TV Cable - KD-2AODHT
Throttle Cable-TC1000U

 

Gear Vendors is an add on OD unit. They are cool as heck and you can manually shift the trans and OD making a three speed into a six speed by splitting gears. As far as later transmissions, I read that the 98/99 and later V6 autos used the same clutch packs and such as the V8s. They mentioned using one from the 4.0 powered F150 and if you get the unit from the earlier trucks you will still have a mechanical speedo drive. All of this is from memory so take it for what it's worth and expect errors!

 

If I do this gear vendors swap thingy, will the rear axle ratio need to be raised?

 

Gee, I can't imagine why. When mine is going about 65 mph, I keep waiting for it to shift....It never does. This crossmember, does it also work for the 4r70W? Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

I believe all 4R70W transmissions had a speed-o opening, that will fit either speed sensor or a cable... Rear trans mount should be same as AOD...

 

No need to change the ratio unless you want to go lower for more performance. If you're looking for the overdrive to drop the revs I would leave them alone.

 

In the thread above I said "raised". I meant the numerical value needs to be raised, the rear axle ratio needs to be lowered due to the fact that a carbureted engine needs to turn at least 2300 rpm due to the carb not being out of the idle circuit until 1800 rpm. I believe I read that somewhere on this sight. Thanks for you reply. Craig.

I had the Grand Marquis on the rack and looked. There is indeed such an opening. Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

With the 4R70W, a 3:50 rear will give a 2.45 final ratio in O/D that will noticeably cut revs over stock 2.79/3.00 gear sets... With a 2.79 rear ratio is cut to 1.95, unless you have a super mild cam or cruising at 80 mph, the engine is going to be lugging... Of course tire size plays a important roll, with the 25.5" 255/60/15 on my Comet it's 3.00 gives approx same revs as would a 24" tire and 2.79 ratio(I had to swap to a driven gear for 2.79 & 185/70/14 tires to correct speedo error)...