03 MM 4R70W length

[VA-Mach1]

I have a 03 MM 4R70W I will be installing in a 03 Mach1. As far as I know the Mach1 auto is 31-3/16 total length. When I measure the MM auto it looks like 32-1/2. Anyone know the 'exact' length so I don't guess how much to tell the machine shop to shorten my driveshaft.

[Zack]

The proper method is:

Install the trans, then take measurements for the driveshaft.
Any other way is not smart.

[fastblackmerc]

I have a 03 MM 4R70W I will be installing in a 03 Mach1. As far as I know the Mach1 auto is 31-3/16 total length. When I measure the MM auto it looks like 32-1/2. Anyone know the 'exact' length so I don't guess how much to tell the machine shop to shorten my driveshaft.

I'd suggest getting under the Mach1 and taking proper measurements. The driveshaft shop should tell you how to do it.

http://www.iedls.com/Driveshafts/Measuring-Driveshafts.asp

[VA-Mach1]

The turnaround time at the machine shop is not great. I am getting a driveshaft from the junk yard and getting it shortened so it is ready when I do the swap.

I'll get under the Mach and measure too.

[Zack]

Turnaround time for a shortened driveshaft is usually 24-48 hours....at a driveshaft shop

[hotford]

4R70W trans come in different lengths, GM,MM, CV cars are all the same length, the ones in 99-04 GT, Mach's are another length, output shaft in the Mach's are shorter, thus the shorter tail stock....

[FordNut]

Silly question... Why not put the correct transmission in the car and not shorten the driveshft?

[VA-Mach1]

4R70W trans come in different lengths, GM,MM, CV cars are all the same length, the ones in 99-04 GT, Mach's are another length, output shaft in the Mach's are shorter, thus the shorter tail stock....

Yes. I fully understand and have read that many times. The point was to get a factory measurement of what that length is supposed to be. The Mustang is supposed to be 31-3/16. Does anyone know what the 03 Marauder is supposed to be? I will still actually measure my current trans along with the MM trans but I can only do it with a tape measure laying under the car. That is not what I would call a great measurement. It might look like a inch, but actually be a inch and 9/32 or something. That is why I am asking. So I can use the measurement I take compared to what the factory measurement claims to be.

[VA-Mach1]

Silly question... Why not put the correct transmission in the car and not shorten the driveshft?

Because it's what I have at the great price I got it for that makes shortening the driveshaft more than worth it. If you have a super low mileage Mach trans and willing to pay shipping I will get this MM trans boxed up today and trade you lol.

[FordNut]

I just didn't see a lot of sense putting the wrong transmission in the car and ending up with a cobbled up Mach 1. Shortening a driveshaft and then having it balanced seems like a lot more trouble than just using the correct parts.

[FordNut]

Anyway, it sounds like you have everything you need to get the measurements. The only thing different between the two is the tailshaft and housing. Measure the tailshaft housings on the two transmissions and you should have the answer.

[VA-Mach1]

I understand where you are coming from. Shortening a driveshaft basically 1 inch is far from what I would call cobbled up. I also have to change the gear selector lever coming out of the trans. Are you going to call that rigged? If I could **** money I would buy a auto Mach with like 2 miles on it but this is what I have to work with. Im also making the trans full manual so I can drag race the hellout it and bang gears until the MM trans shoots fluid down the track. I just wanted a measurement. Nevermind. I'll take care of it. Thread closed.

[RubberCtyRauder]

You act like we should know the measurement . It's not a swap been done here. It's ok to ask though, as you just never know if someone happens to have it. People gave their logical help with the limited info you gave initially. It prolly won't take long to spew trans fluid shifting manually anyway at high rpms. Good luck to the guy running next in your lane

[BUCKWHEAT]

I pay a lot to a good tuner to get the 4R70W automatic to shift at the right RPM for my MM at the drags. The theory is that the trans will live longer and it's computer will shift quicker and more reliably than I possibly could shift it manually. So far that theory has me in the high 11's. Keep us informed as to the times you run when your project is finished.

[VA-Mach1]

You act like we should know the measurement . It's not a swap been done here. It's ok to ask though, as you just never know if someone happens to have it. People gave their logical help with the limited info you gave initially. It prolly won't take long to spew trans fluid shifting manually anyway at high rpms. Good luck to the guy running next in your lane

You bring reason to the discussion. Thank you. I apologize for getting off track. I did not mean to expect that anyone would know the answer. I do think that if you don't, you should not be judgemental to the project. The range of answers and highness to what I thought was a easy question. (what is the Length?) turned out to be not so. I wish I could have everything perfect but this is what I have to use and don't consider it cobbled.

Cobbled to me is cutting out the factory plug and installing a radio with crimp connectors. Or better yet, twisting the wires together and using electronical tape. So I got a little bent when shortening a driveshaft at a machine shop was compared to cobbled.

[VA-Mach1]

I pay a lot to a good tuner to get the 4R70W automatic to shift at the right RPM for my MM at the drags. The theory is that the trans will live longer and it's computer will shift quicker and more reliably than I possibly could shift it manually. So far that theory has me in the high 11's. Keep us informed as to the times you run when your project is finished.

I appreciate and admire your ability and attention to detail.

[larryo340]

The proper method is:

Install the trans, then take measurements for the driveshaft.
Any other way is not smart.
Agreed...no chance of an oh ***** moment, unless you measure wrong.

[FordNut]

So I got a little bent when shortening a driveshaft at a machine shop was compared to cobbled.

Sorry, but if you're using a machine shop instead of a real driveline shop with proper balancing equipment it really is cobbled up. Several of the Marauders have experienced tailshaft failures from out-of-balance driveshafts. Drag racing a Mach with smaller tire diameter will probably result in even higher driveshaft speed than a Marauder.

Also, unless you have a full manual valve body and just try to shift manually with the factory valve body it won't last very long. Then you get to do all this work again. Personally, I try to get it right the first time because I hate re-doing the same work.

Good luck with the project.

As for length, I'm not sure about the Mach1 but there are 2 different lengths on the full size cars. The CVPI and MM have the longer one, the regular CV and GM has a shorter one.

[VA-Mach1]

I try to get it right the first time too. That's why I asked for a factory length measurement. I guess Mercury never listed it for a 03 Marauder. Any Google search comes up with the Length for a Mustang but long is the most technical length I can find for the rest.

[Blown3.8]

I have a trans sitting on the floor at the shop. I'll measure it tomorrow for you. I didn't look at this thread earlier.

[Comin' in Hot]

I didn't see this till just now.... When I bought my mm it had a Lentech transmission with the shorter tail housing and all the problems I went through because I had a stock length driveshaft, spline contact, drive line vibrations, and a nasty clunk. I could tell you that ordering the driveshaft 1 inch longer made all the difference in the world. So in your situation I would say shorten it by 1 inch and it will be fine.

[Blown3.8]

Length at end of tail shaft housing before the seal(close estimate with seal installed) 32 3/16"

L at end of metal part of seal 32 5/16"

L at end of rubber dust cover of seal(yellow seal) 32 9/16"

L at end of splined tail shaft 33 1/4"

[RubberCtyRauder]

You bring reason to the discussion. Thank you. I apologize for getting off track. I did not mean to expect that anyone would know the answer. I do think that if you don't, you should not be judgemental to the project. The range of answers and highness to what I thought was a easy question. (what is the Length?) turned out to be not so. I wish I could have everything perfect but this is what I have to use and don't consider it cobbled.

Cobbled to me is cutting out the factory plug and installing a radio with crimp connectors. Or better yet, twisting the wires together and using electronical tape. So I got a little bent when shortening a driveshaft at a machine shop was compared to cobbled.

I get short fused too..I'm not perfect..lol..I try to be helpful where I can, and sometimes I get confrontational.. don't always mean too, it just happens.

:beer:

[babbage]

The final angle between the transmission output shaft and your rear differential makes a difference. a lot easier to measure once its in.

Also how long is the splined yolk area on a Mach 1 Driveshaft?