What trans in a 2005 Ford E450? Trans cooler recommended?

Yes, the 4-speed is the 4R100, which is based on the E4OD architecture, just with some improvements for key components, and a smarter electronic valve body.

I initially used the Tru-Cool thermostat with mine, but it didn't work right. It let it get WAY too hit before opening, and I had to remove it in a parking lot the first trip with the trailer, before I roasted things. Now that the van is used mostly for towing duty, its fine without out. When I was daily driving it, I had to block the grill in winter to get the trans up to temp.

Bryan, thanks for the info. I ran the same cooler as you on my 1992 with E40D trans. I agree, it can run too cool. I did not install the Tru Cool MAX thermostat/manifold, as I live in SoCal and don't often experience cold temps. My E40D runs cool, perhaps too cool, at 160 everyday driving. Towing in 100F ambient temps, it will rise to 190F.

I maintain my own vehicles to the extent of my knowledge and would like to service both the V10 and trans as much as I can. So, moving from an older 460/E40D will be a learning curve, but I would like to learn as much as possible.

If the 4 speed, what model # is the trans? Is it the 4R100?

Thanks

Baja Man,

Bryan does know all about the E-series. Take his information factually.

Ron

First off, transmission ID: If you have an "OVERDRIVE OFF" button, you have a 4-speed. If you have a Tow/Haul button, you have the TorqueShift 5-speed, which is really a 6-speed but it only uses 5 gears at a time. The TorqueShift came out in the 2005 V10 chassis, but motorhome makers sometimes build on the prior year chassis.

As for the cooler.... You have an "in-tank" oil-to-water cooler in the radiator, which then feed an oil-to-air cooler in front of the A/C condenser. IF you stay within chassis specs, and you don't do unusual activities like off-road your motorhome, or back a trailer up steep, long driveways, the stock setup is usually fine.

Now... if you exceed the combined weight rating of the chassis (like I do), or go off road or back trailers up steep long hills (which I also do), then a larger oil-to-air cooler is a good investment. I run a TRU-COOL MAX 40k cooler, which replaced the stock oil-to-air cooler. This is a suitable replacement for either transmission, because it has 1/2" lines, and comes with fitting to adapt to the 4-speed. The 5-speed requires the larger lines to maintain flow. This is not a cheap cooler, but it works. Other cheaper coolers either won't have any more capacity than stock, or will not meet the flow requirements for this chassis.

A trans temp gauge is a good idea too if you run hard often. For occasional hard use however, an OBD2 reader like the ScanGauge is good enough.

Safe temp for the 4-speed is 230F, but if I hit 215F then I dial things back in case its still climbing. The 5-speed is rated higher. I've heard 250 but I think Ford actually says something like 270. It is designed to run hotter than the 4-pseed for better efficiency, and even includes a thermostat to allow it to warm up, unlike the 4-speed which can be over-cooled.