Ford 4R70W, 4R70E Automatic Transmission

4R70W, 4R70E Transmission Specs & Ratios

The Ford 4R70W automatic transmission was initially introduced for the 1993 model. It is derived from Ford's AODE, the electronic version of the common AOD introduced in 1980. In 1993, Ford Motor Company, like many automakers, began switching their name conventions and thus the designation for the AODE was changed. One could argue that the modern naming convention is more descriptive and favorable to less meaningful designations. The nominal max input torque of the 4R70W/E is 700 Newton meters (N-m), or roughly 516 lb-ft. The transmission was used in the Ford F-150 through the 2005 model year before being replaced altogether by the marginally stronger 4R75E.

For the 2004 and 2005 model years, the 4R70W/E was used exclusively in 4.2L V-6 and 4.6L V-8 applications, while the 5.4L V-8 received instead the 4R75E. This coincides with the introduction of the 3 valve 5.4L engine, which was significantly more powerful than its predecessor and the timing suggests that a slightly more robust transmission was necessary to compliment the engine's performance. Considering that the AOD was originally introduced in 1980, the transmission platform enjoyed a relative long service life in the Ford F-150 and related applications.

 

Ford 4R70W, 4R70E Gear Ratios

1

2

3

4

R

2.84 : 1

1.55 : 1

1.00 : 1

0.70 : 1

2.23 : 1

 

Ford 4R70W, 4R70E Transmission Specs

Transmission:

Ford 4R70W & 4R70E

Type:

4 speed overdrive automatic transmission

Predecessor:

Ford AODE

Applications:

Various, 1993 - 2005 Ford F-150

Case Material:

Aluminum

Max Input Torque:

~ 516 lb-ft (700 n-m)

ATF Type/Spec:

MERCON V ATF (Motorcraft XT-5-QMC)

Transmission Filter:

Motorcraft FT105

Service Intervals:

Replace transmission fluid and filter every 150,000 miles under normal conditions, 30,000 miles if towing/hauling frequently

Features:

• An evolution of the original AOD transmission introduced in 1980

• 4R70W and 4R70E models only differ slightly, with the "E" models featuring more sophisticated integration between the transmission sensors and vehicle's PCM

4

Four forward gears

R

Rear wheel drive applications

70

700 n-m nominal max input torque capacity

W/E

Wide ratio transmission, electronically controlled