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

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.

Baja Man,Bryan does know all about the E-series. Take his information factually.Ron

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

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.

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.

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

pnichols
Explorer II
May 21, 2016
CharlesinGA wrote:
Transmissions are expensive, fluid is relatively cheap, change it frequently and keep it cool with extra coolers and deep pans.

In our situation of a premature failure of our 5R110W 5-speed transmission ... we have a small Class C motorhome (~11,800 lbs.) riding on an E450 chassis (14,050 GVRW rated) that has a 4:56 rear differential ratio and not towing ... IMHO, this combination should have provided light enough weight loading and fast enough engine spin speeds such that excessive transmission heating should not have happened under just about any conditions using only the stock Ford transmission cooling and stock transmission pan.

I'm still scratching my head (and my wallet) on the failure we experenced! :h
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 20, 2016
anyone know the obd2 code for the transmission temperature gauge for use with Scan Gauge?
Baja_Man
Explorer
May 20, 2016
Mark K over on the Forum stated that the preferred spot for a trans gauge sending unit is the "test port" on driver side of trans
CharlesinGA
Explorer
May 20, 2016
pnichols wrote:
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!!

Those are recommended pan temperatures, the coolest temps in the transmission, the converter outlet (to cooler) temps can climb higher. Very few people bother to measure the temp at the outlet, and it will be 30-50 degrees higher. Transmissions are expensive, fluid is relatively cheap, change it frequently and keep it cool with extra coolers and deep pans.

Charles
Baja_Man
Explorer
May 19, 2016
turns out I do have a 5 speed! I called Ford and gave them the VI and they confirmed that chassis is a 2005. Door jamb sticker has a date of 10/04.

So, now I will install a trans temp gauge as I like to monitor trans temps, as I drive in very hot climates most of the time.
Dusty_R
Explorer
May 17, 2016
We bought a new mh this past

We bought a new mh this past Aug. it has the 5/6 speed transmission.
With cruse set and tow/haul on, button pushed in, when going up a large hill, small mountain, on the second down shift there seems to be a delay between shifts, from when it drops out of 4th and into 3rd. Is this common ?

Thanks,
Dusty
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 17, 2016
DrewE,

Thanks for the information!
DrewE
Explorer II
May 17, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
top gear is still 1:1 in both.

:h The specs I've seen say that 1:1 is the next to the top gear ratio in both, and 0.71 : 1 is the top (overdrive) gear ratio in both.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 17, 2016
top gear is still 1:1 in both.
pnichols
Explorer II
May 16, 2016
Baja Man wrote:
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.

Yes.

My E450 chassis was built by Ford in September of 2004 and it has the 5-speed transmission in it. Our E450 Ford chassis is a 2005 model year chassis that was built in the Fall of 2004. As I understand it, the 5-speed transmission was introduced in Ford's E-Series cutaway vans beginning in their 2005 model year builds.

Ford used to (and maybe still does) start building it's next year's models in the Fall of the previous year. So yes ... you do have a 5-speed transmission in your chassis that was built in 10/04 ... IF and ONLY IF your chassis is designated as a model year 2005 chassis.

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

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