How can I verify my transmission model?

[PuntyMario]

After discovering my marauder has 4.56 gears installed this made me think I may have other things changed as well. I suspect the tranny may have been modified. Is there a way to check if its a different model? Perhaps a label or something.

[Comin' in Hot]

I think you are jumping the gun, did you pull your diff cover and physically look at the gears? it's normally stamped on the ring gear.

Next your car came with a 4R70W, if could be modified, but if your car is N/A, I highly doubt it. A tune could greatly effect the way your trans shifts.

If for some strange reason your trans was upgraded, there might be a tag on it, but its not always that way.

[88grandmarq]

I think you are jumping the gun, did you pull your diff cover and physically look at the gears? it's normally stamped on the ring gear.

Next your car came with a 4R70W, if could be modified, but if your car is N/A, I highly doubt it. A tune could greatly effect the way your trans shifts.

If for some strange reason your trans was upgraded, there might be a tag on it, but its not always that way.

I completely agree..

all 2003 models came from the factory with 4R70W. there are plenty of builders/re-builders that make modifications and upgrades with out making any markings on the outside. only way to tell is pull the transmission out and take it apart.

[rayjay]

What makes you think the tranny is modded?

[WPG_Merc]

It could have a shift kit in it ,If the trans shifts hard.:burnout:

[rayjay]

It could have a shift kit in it ,If the trans shifts hard.:burnout:

It could also just have a tune, the J Mod, or a higher stall converter. He is not posting why he thinks the tranny has been changed. It makes no sense in the 1st place that this car's engine is stock with a 4.56 gear set. Somethings not right. :shake:

[PuntyMario]

Im not kidding about the 4.56 gears. I verified with a friend that knew the original owner that this one had its gear changed. Odds are it does have a tune because without it i doubt it would be functioning properly. This thing has been taken to race tracks so i figure why would the owner stop at just a gear change.

Id also like to note that this is the first time ive driven a car with the 4r70 so i would never know if it was right or not. Havent there been users that swapped to the more efficient 4r75?

[Comin' in Hot]

What I meant by pulling the cover is that it might have had 4.56s and could have been changed. unless you physically look you are only guessing. it also wouldn't be a bad idea to change you diff fluid and inspect everything if you just bought the car.

[PuntyMario]

What I meant by pulling the cover is that it might have had 4.56s and could have been changed. unless you physically look you are only guessing. it also wouldn't be a bad idea to change you diff fluid and inspect everything if you just bought the car.

I checked by jacking up the rear and rotating the wheel in neutral. One wheel spin got 4.5 drive shaft rotations.

[rayjay]

Id also like to note that this is the first time ive driven a car with the 4r70 so i would never know if it was right or not. Havent there been users that swapped to the more efficient 4r75?

I know no end user who has. Thats not to say it hasn't been done. Ford did go to the 4R75 the 04 model year IIRC. The 4R70 is pretty stout unit. Its only real common flaw is a stub that can break if you go to WOT without disengaging the OD 1st. Does your car have the original engine? Stock with 4.56s is a pretty strange setup. As mentioned above we only knew of one other Member who ran 4.56s and that car was far from stock.

[PuntyMario]

I know no end user who has. Thats not to say it hasn't been done. Ford did go to the 4R75 the 04 model year IIRC. The 4R70 is pretty stout unit. Its only real common flaw is a stub that can break if you go to WOT without disengaging the OD 1st. Does your car have the original engine? Stock with 4.56s is a pretty strange setup. As mentioned above we only knew of one other Member who ran 4.56s and that car was far from stock.

As far as i know thats the original engine. Looks the same as pictures of original ones. To be honest though i wouldnt know how to verify it.

[rayjay]

Check the VIN# on the engine to see if it matches the car.

[fastblackmerc]

Im not kidding about the 4.56 gears. I verified with a friend that knew the original owner that this one had its gear changed. Odds are it does have a tune because without it i doubt it would be functioning properly. This thing has been taken to race tracks so i figure why would the owner stop at just a gear change.

Id also like to note that this is the first time ive driven a car with the 4r70 so i would never know if it was right or not. Havent there been users that swapped to the more efficient 4r75?

One is not more "efficient" than the other.

The 4R70W and the 4R75W are basically the same unit. There were some slight internal upgrades to the 4R75W from the 4R75W but for all intents and purposes they are the same unit.

You need to do some checking. Don't take anyone's word on anything.

[PuntyMario]

One is not more "efficient" than the other.

The 4R70W and the 4R75W are basically the same unit. There were some slight internal upgrades to the 4R75W from the 4R75W but for all intents and purposes they are the same unit.

You need to do some checking. Don't take anyone's word on anything.

Oh yeah i know i have to check myself. Thats how i verifed my gears. But im limited on what i know. Thats why im asking.

[88grandmarq]

Im not kidding about the 4.56 gears. I verified with a friend that knew the original owner that this one had its gear changed. Odds are it does have a tune because without it i doubt it would be functioning properly. This thing has been taken to race tracks so i figure why would the owner stop at just a gear change.

Id also like to note that this is the first time ive driven a car with the 4r70 so i would never know if it was right or not. Havent there been users that swapped to the more efficient 4r75?

I am not aware of anyone upgrading from a 4R70 to a 4R75. doing so would require a completely different transmission tune and or a installing a 2004 PCM.

Its a lot of work for not a lot of upgrade and big tuning headaches.

[justbob]

IIRC the 75 had a turbine shaft sensor on top that the PCM uses to detect T/C speed, or something of the sort. That may be truck only applications, don't know. Regardless, mute point considering your N/A as I'm quite sure nobody would bother.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[PuntyMario]

yeah im starting to believe its the stock tranny. its tuned for these gears yet still a gear hunter.

[fastblackmerc]

yeah im starting to believe its the stock tranny. its tuned for these gears yet still a gear hunter.

It's either NOT tuned for the gears or someone did a crappy job with the tune if it's gear hunting.

[rayjay]

It's either NOT tuned for the gears or someone did a crappy job with the tune if it's gear hunting.

+1, the tune takes away the hunting issue.

[PuntyMario]

It's either NOT tuned for the gears or someone did a crappy job with the tune if it's gear hunting.

well heres a vid of me moderately accelerating and shes hunting alright.

mmEsn0ma9xE

[Marauderjack]

Looks like a "stock" tune to me??:cool:

[rayjay]

Ya, it does. How is it at WOT? Is your speedo accurate?

[PuntyMario]

Well my speedo is a bit sticky and tends to jump in increments. When im on the highway going 100k i used a speedo app that measures using gps and they both match up fairly well. But when im in the city when it says 50 actually going 60. At WOT it shifts just before redline.

[PuntyMario]

Ok so i just took her to a shop that sells sct tuners and i got it checked and its been restored back to factory. I had a guy offer a xcal2 for sale. Is this suitable for a complete beginer like me?

[rayjay]

Ok so i just took her to a shop that sells sct tuners and i got it checked and its been restored back to factory. I had a guy offer a xcal2 for sale. Is this suitable for a complete beginer like me?

Look into a tune from Mo's Speed Shop. MartyO is a long time member here, supporting vendor and highly respected. A canned tune from SCT is a crap shoot.

[JoeBoomz]

Xcal2 is very old tech. Don't spend more than 100 on it.

[PuntyMario]

Well for the tuner i was offered 130. But i was mentioned that ford could tune for just the gear change and keep everything normal. A tuner with a custom tune is gonna set me back a load and i cant really afford it.

Are 4.56s gonna wear my engine down faster?

[JoeBoomz]

Your RPM's will be constantly higher so in that sense the engine will wear faster. Don't know if I'd be concerned about the overall longevity of it though.

130 for an unlocked Xcal2 is still a tad high but if they will put a good marauder-specific tune in it that adjusts for the rear end, your problem is solved. You're looking at about triple that price for today's version.

[PuntyMario]

Your RPM's will be constantly higher so in that sense the engine will wear faster. Don't know if I'd be concerned about the overall longevity of it though.

130 for an unlocked Xcal2 is still a tad high but if they will put a good marauder-specific tune in it that adjusts for the rear end, your problem is solved. You're looking at about triple that price for today's version.

The tuner was offered as is without a custom tune. Ill aend marty a message to ball park what itd cost me in the meantime. Im gonna pass by ford to see if they can do something.

[Comin' in Hot]

I'm going to say this one more time, if you are going to order a tune, I would highly recommend you physically look to see what gears are in your car.

Are you sure by counting the revolutions that you could tell the difference between 4.10s, 4.30s, and 4.56s? I would never take someone's second hand word for it... I would never even take the pervious own's word for it.

[MOTOWN]

I'm going to say this one more time, if you are going to order a tune, I would highly recommend you physically look to see what gears are in your car.

Are you sure by counting the revolutions that you could tell the difference between 4.10s, 4.30s, and 4.56s? I would never take someone's second hand word for it... I would never even take the pervious own's word for it.

Solid advice right here!^^^^^^^ Also i would highly advise you to just buy an Xcal from Marty O with the best Marauder tunes preloaded! and be done with it, trust me you will be glad you did:banana2:

[Comin' in Hot]

Solid advice right here!^^^^^^^ Also i would highly advise you to just buy an Xcal from Marty O with the best Marauder tunes preloaded! and be done with it, trust me you will be glad you did:banana2:

^^^^^^Also solid advice

[PuntyMario]

I'm going to say this one more time, if you are going to order a tune, I would highly recommend you physically look to see what gears are in your car.

Are you sure by counting the revolutions that you could tell the difference between 4.10s, 4.30s, and 4.56s? I would never take someone's second hand word for it... I would never even take the pervious own's word for it.

Did you not read the part where i said i tested it myself?
I didnt just rotate it once either. I did it multiple times to make sure i wasnt miscounting.

[Comin' in Hot]

Did you not read the part where i said i tested it myself?
I didnt just rotate it once either. I did it multiple times to make sure i wasnt miscounting.


I read it, and I still think you should pull the diff cover to be sure..... but it's your car, you do what you want. I just know accuracy could be off doing it that way and since your car isn't new a diff service/ inspection couldn't hurt.

I pulled two different marauder 8.8 covers where everything seemed fine only to have spider gear teeth sitting in the bottom of the axle housing.

[justbob]

I pulled two different marauder 8.8 covers where everything seemed fine only to have spider gear teeth sitting in the bottom of the axle housing.

That is WAY more common than people think. Every tooth on my OE set were sheared over 50%! And yes, it was whisper quiet.

BTW last I knew the xcal2 hasn't been supported by SCT in a long while. If it breaks or is corrupted in any way your SOL. There went a 1/3rd of the money for the very new generation.

What is your RPM holding at 80 in OD?

4.10's are around 2,800, my old 4.30's I believe were right near 3,100.



Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[rayjay]

Pulling the cover is the only way to know for certain. As pointed out it will show if your gears are in good shape also. Its sound advice. Not to mention you should change out the rear end fluid anyway. Its a win-win. Why take the chance on hurting your car?

[PuntyMario]

I read it, and I still think you should pull the diff cover to be sure..... but it's your car, you do what you want. I just know accuracy could be off doing it that way and since your car isn't new a diff service/ inspection couldn't hurt.

I pulled two different marauder 8.8 covers where everything seemed fine only to have spider gear teeth sitting in the bottom of the axle housing.

ill definitely head your advice as you know much more than i do.



What is your RPM holding at 80 in OD?

4.10's are around 2,800, my old 4.30's I believe were right near 3,100.



Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

i got 3400 RPM at 80. at that speed shes just roaring

[rayjay]

i got 3400 RPM at 80. at that speed shes just roaring

If thats 80 MPH, I believe you are on a stock tune. If thats 80KMH, theres no doubt at all its stock. Contact MartyO

[PuntyMario]

If thats 80 MPH, I believe you are on a stock tune. If thats 80KMH, theres no doubt at all its stock. Contact MartyO

that was in miles because i figure most of you go on miles. i already found out im on a stock tune.
I cant get a tune right now because i cant afford a tuner.