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

[Baja_Man]

What transmission model is in in a 2005 Ford chassis (Monaco Esquire 31PBS)?

Original window sticker states 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

In addition, if any of you can provide me with information related to the trans that would be much appreciated.

I would like to do some research on this trans and find out how best to maintain and service, especially optimum operating temps during hot ambient temps (90-110 F) while towing 3500#.

Does the trans come equipped with a factory trans oil cooler or is just the standard cooler through radiator?

I wonder if a trans temp gauge and aftermarket trans cooler are in my future? I installed both in my F350/460 gas/E40D trans and they worked great.

Thanks

[pnichols]

The E450 chassis under our Class C is a "2005" chassis. The cutaway E450 chassis was built by Ford in Sept/Oct of 2004. Itasca calls the coach a "2005" coach.

The transmission it came with was a 5R110 5-speed (6 speeds internally) with Tow/Haul mode via a switch on the gearshift lever.

Our E450's orginal 5R110 transmission blew at around 61,000 miles. On RV trips we climb long highway grades at any speed we want at any outside summer temperature. Our Class C weighs around only 11,800 lbs., or slightly more, when loaded for travel. One of the reasons we shopped for a 24 foot Class C built on an over-kill E450 chassis was so that we could drive this way (we do not tow) whenever we wanted.

I had a remanufactured 5R110 transmission - supposedly with "heavy duty" options - installed instead of having the original transmission rebuilt. I hope that there is such a thing as a heavy duty way to rebuild the 5R110 5-speed transmission and that we actually wound up with it after dropping $5600.

I can't imagine how the Ford 5-speed transmission can be over-heated pulling only around 11,800 lbs. of motorhome. It seems to me that we shouldn't have to be concerned with over-heating our transmission under these conditions. Are those transmission fluid heat charts above really serious -> one has to keep transmission temperatures way down to 185 degrees or less for 100,000+ mile transmission life??? You could of fooled me!!

[carringb]

Model year changeovers happen mid-summer usually with the E-series. Tow/Haul = TorqueShift = 5-speed.

[DrewE]

If it has tow/haul mode, it's a 5 speed. I guess it could be possible that the wrong shift lever knob was installed, perhaps as a replacement, though I don't think that would be common. It's certainly possible, and somewhat likely, that a chassis manufactured in October of 2004 would be a 2005 model year chassis.

Seems to me you could count gears while accelerating and/or see if the button behaves as an overdrive lockout or as tow/haul. As I understand things, if you're going down a flat highway section (in overdrive) and activate tow/haul, it should not generally downshift immediately, while of course if it's locking out overdrive it will downshift.

[Baja_Man]

I am confused whether I have a 5 or 4 speed.

Inside door jam sticker has a date of 10/04.

The gear selector arm has the TOW/HAUL button.

Is is possible to have a 5 speed with a date of 10/04? I thought ALL 2004 chassis dates were 4R100 4 speed trans.

[CharlesinGA]

Very frustrating, typed a long post, "connection reset", everything lost..............

Try again.

You can find all kinds of transmission temperature charts on the internet that will show that when the fluid temperature exceeds about 200F the fluid is beginning to degrade. This temp is the MAXIMUM temp of the fluid found in the transmission, which is usually found at the exit line going to the radiator cooler. The temp in the pan, which is how most trans temp is measured, is quite a bit cooler, as it has been thru the radiator cooler and returned to the pan. Thus 200 degrees in the pan, means it was alot hotter when it exited the transmission. Ideally, you want the pan temp to remain around 175 or below to insure that the highest temp remains in a safe range.

In my opinion the first best thing you can do is install a deep aluminum pan, to add additional fluid capacity to the transmission, this will allow the fluid to cool more before it is pumped back into the transmission, and a larger quantity always will stay cooler. The PML pan adds 3-1/2 qts to the capacity and radiates heat better than a smooth steel pan. You also get a drain plug and optionally a threaded port for a temp probe.

http://www.yourcovers.com/transpan_9323.php

Second best thing you can do is install an additional cooler in the return line from the radiator. If you operate in a cold climate part of the year, you will want a more sophisticated cooler that has a thermal bypass valve to allow the fluid to heat up to normal temp before it begins cooling it. The best cooler would be one with a electric fan mounted on it.

Charles





Aluminum pan compared to stock pan

[Airstreamer67]

I installed the TruCool on my E4OD without the thermostat too. I live in the South with few really cold days. I always figured I'd use a piece of cardboard or plastic on the grill if I operate the RV in freezing temps, which I avoid doing anyway. The larger cooler really helps. I was seeing temps 220F and over sometimes. No more.

[carringb]

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.

[Baja_Man]

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

[ron_dittmer]

Baja Man,

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

Ron

[carringb]

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.