AODE & 4R70W 3 speed automatic – Transmission Guide
Tech article by admin and filed under - Automatic, TransmissionTech article by Jon Hanna (Admin)
| Automatic Trans Intro • Gear Ratio Chart • C4 • C6 • AOD • AODE & 4R70W • 700R4 See also Manual Trans |
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| Transmission: | |
| AODE & 4R70W (E = electronic, W = wide ratio) 4 speed automatic with overdrive | |
| Sources: | |
| These were replacements to the older AOD. The AODE was available in 1992-1995 as a brief precursor to the 4R70W. The 4R70W started in 1993 in both Ford cars and trucks. 1996 and newer all have the “wide ratio” or low gear set. (F-series trucks started getting the “wide ratio” gears in 1994) Look for one out of a small block V8. | |
| Identification: | |
| The AODE & 4R70W was Fords stronger, improved replacement for the earlier AOD. They are very similar to the AOD, but are electronically controlled and therefore have no kickdown lever. Look for an electrical plug on the rear, side of the housing (driver’s side) to differentiate it from an AOD. Like the AOD it also has a one-piece case and bellhousing design, but is 7/8″ longer. Look for two bolts (not three) for the starter to indicate it’s from a 5.0L not a 4.6L. | |
| Adapter required? | |
| Use the same adapter as the AOD, with slight (and inexpensive) oil hole modifications. | |
| Pros: | |
| This transmission features one of the lowest gears available for a Ford automatic. It’s also stronger than it’s AOD predecessor and the electronic controls provide more advanced, smoother shifting. Because they’re electronic, the shift points can be tuned specifically to your needs. | |
| Cons: | |
| The electronic controls are a nice feature, but also require additional work and expense. First you’ll need a way to control the transmission. This can be done using a factory computer if you’ve swapped to a later model 5.0L or 5.8L engine. Or you can purchase an aftermarket controller made specifically for installing the AOD-E in older, non-computer controlled vehicles such as the “Baumanator” from Bauman Engineering. Expense is also a definite concern. The adapter kit and computer controller alone can cost almost $1000 in addition to the cost of the transmission. | |
| Cost: (Approximate) | |
| Transmission: $300-500 used and $1000-2100 rebuilt Adapter kit: $550-620 Low gear set: $650-800 Computer controller: $400 |
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| Drive Shaft Mods: | |
| Total transmission is approximately 2.5″ longer requiring some drive shaft modifications. | |
| Bell housing: | |
| The AODE came behind small block Ford engines and will bolt up to your 289-302-351 engines. | |
| Modifications needed: | |
| The output shaft needs to be machined to install with the stock Dana 20 transfer case. The transfer case is set back further requiring a larger hole in the floor. An aftermarket transmission shifter or modification to your stock automatic shifter will be required. Transfer case to floor may be tight if you don’t have a body lift installed and the front drive shaft may be very close to the transmission pan depending on your lift. A smaller diameter front drive shaft or transmission pan modification may be required. | |
| Manual Transmissions | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Bronco 3 spd (6 cyl) | 3.41 | 1.86 | 1.00 | ||
| Bronco 3 spd (8 cyl) | 2.99 | 1.75 | 1.00 | ||
| NP 435 | 6.69 | 3.34 | 1.79 | 1.00 | |
| T-18 | 6.32 | 3.09 | 1.69 | 1.00 | |
| Toploader (Close ratio) | 2.32 | 1.69 | 1.29 | 1.00 | |
| Toploader (Wide ratio) | 2.78 | 1.93 | 1.35 | 1.00 | |
| Toploader (Overdrive) | 3.29 | 1.84 | 1.00 | 0.81 | |
| ZF | 5.72 | 2.94 | 1.61 | 1.00 | 0.76 |
| NV4500 (Dodge) | 5.61 | 3.04 | 1.67 | 1.00 | 0.73 |
| Automatic Transmissions | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Bronco C4 | 2.46 | 1.46 | 1.00 | ||
| C6 | 2.46 | 1.46 | 1.00 | ||
| AOD | 2.40 | 1.47 | 1.00 | .67 | |
| AOD w/ low gear set | 2.84 | 1.55 | 1.00 | .67 | |
| AODE/4R70W* | 2.84 | 1.55 | 1.00 | .67 | |
| 700R4 | 3.06 | 1.62 | 1.00 | .70 |
March 15th, 2009 at 8:24 am
The low gear set has an OD ratio of 0.7:1, not the 0.67 listed above. The $650 low gear set price above is for a kit no longer available from ford. The parts to do the low gear set swap are easily available on ebay for much less. I spent roughlt $200 gathering the parts for mine.
If you put the low gears in an AOD, the govenor must be adjusted to ensure shift points happen at the right time. Most AODs shift in a 1/2 -D -OD pattern. So you can’t select 1st or 2nd gear. Most 4R transmissions are a 1-2-OD, and with the Baumanator you can switch off OD if you choose.
Stay away from the AODE. Its full of weak parts and upgrading to 4R specs will cost too much ( BTDT)
I’m extremely happy with my electronically controlled 4R. It took a little while to get the shifting where I wanted, but now its perfect. You can’t tweak an AOD like that.
December 9th, 2013 at 10:39 am
Where is the tech page on this?