Replacing a 4R44E

Newtorangers · Sep 2, 2009

Hey guys,

I have learned that my transmission is going to be replaced. I have an after market warranty with United Car Care and they have authorized the replacement. Obviously, it will be a remanufactured unit. A Ford dealer is doing the work.

What I was wondering is what kind of things should I look out for or questions I should ask concerning the replacement. Any units to look out for or things to be aware of. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Love the Ranger, but I am not a gear head.

Thanks,

RangerSVT · Sep 2, 2009

Unfortunately, you've got the 3.0L, a motor in its own class, you don't have much upgrades available. The 3.0L has its own bellhousing bolt pattern, does not share with the 4.0L, 2.9L, 2.8L, 2.3L, or 2.5L...
SVT

WNY964x4 · Sep 2, 2009

svt is right , there isnt much that can be done with a 4R44E upgrade wise , but i would ask what was done during the reman process , what all was replaced , stuff like that.

i can tell you that the only thing that seperates a 4R44E that is behind the 3.0 from a 5R55E that is behind the 4.0 is one line of code in the computer , both transmissions are identical internally , so in esence , if you swap a 5R55E into a 3.0 Truck by swapping bell housings , you just put another 4R44E in its place.

the 4R44E shift pattern is as follows , 1-2-3-OD3 ( OD = Overdriven )

the 5R55E shift pattern is 1-OD1-2-3-OD3 , that is what makes it a 5 speed , and that is achieved by writing an extra line of code into the computer that tells the trans to apply the Overdrive band while the truck is in first gear

RangerSVT · Sep 2, 2009

I had a 4R55E in my ranger when I bought it (96 4.0L), I replaced it with a 5R55E from a 99 explorer, my comp runs it fine, no codes, no shift probs
SVT

WNY964x4 · Sep 2, 2009

RangerSVT said:
I had a 4R55E in my ranger when I bought it (96 4.0L), I replaced it with a 5R55E from a 99 explorer, my comp runs it fine, no codes, no shift probs
SVT

yea , the 4R55E and the 5R55E had the same computer setup , i forgot what my teacher the reason for the difference in numbers was ( i think it was just something to do with fords numbering system for those years )

but the 4R44E , 4R55E , 5R55E share the same internals , the only difference between the 4R44E and the 4R55E/5R55E is the line of code in the computer that tells it whether or not to apply the overdrive band while in first gear

colinrmitchell · Sep 3, 2009

This information is very helpful.

In this case, I can swap in a 4R55E/5R55E for my 4R44E simply by changing bellhousings? Is that it?

WNY964x4 · Sep 3, 2009

yes , but as soon as you plug it into your computer it becomes another 4R44E

RangerSVT · Sep 4, 2009

colinrmitchell said:
This information is very helpful.

In this case, I can swap in a 4R55E/5R55E for my 4R44E simply by changing bellhousings? Is that it?

Sorry to burst your bubble, the trans cases are a one case design, the bellhousing is not removeable, another drawback to the 3.0L...your best bet is to get another trans from a 4.0, like the 5R55E, and replace the guts into your case...
SVT

WNY964x4 · Sep 4, 2009

RangerSVT said:
Sorry to burst your bubble, the trans cases are a one case design, the bellhousing is not removeable, another drawback to the 3.0L...your best bet is to get another trans from a 4.0, like the 5R55E, and replace the guts into your case...
SVT

the bellhousing is removable , the pump is integrated into the bellhousing , so when you remove what appear to be the pump bolt , the bellhousing seperates form the case

as for the internals , they are identical from a 4R44E to a 5R55E , as i have been saying the whole time , the transmissions are identical , the only difference is the number of lines of code to control it in the PCM

RangerSVT · Sep 5, 2009

WNY964x4 said:
the bellhousing is removable , the pump is integrated into the bellhousing , so when you remove what appear to be the pump bolt , the bellhousing seperates form the case

as for the internals , they are identical from a 4R44E to a 5R55E , as i have been saying the whole time , the transmissions are identical , the only difference is the number of lines of code to control it in the PCM

I stand corrected, mine looks like a one piece case, haven't looked close enough at it when I swapped mine...
SVT

Beef52751 · Sep 15, 2009

WNY964x4 is correct the bellhousing is removable, where can you find a repair manual for a 4R44E, 4R55E, or 5R55E?

Bent Bolt · Sep 15, 2009

WNY964x4 said:
as for the internals , they are identical from a 4R44E to a 5R55E , as i have been saying the whole time , the transmissions are identical , the only difference is the number of lines of code to control it in the PCM

Not quite.................

4R's have 4 pinion planetarys while 5R's are 6 pinion. There are minor differances in thrust washer stackup as well. And IIRC the forward clutch has 1 less friction in the 4R verses the 5R .

eriddles · Jun 30, 2011

it seems to me that there should be a programmer out there to turn the overdrive clutch on as needed.

Replacing a 4R44E

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