E4OD options for 6.9l diesel

[kcinga]

I have a 1986 F350 with an E4OD already installed on it by previous owner. I then bought a standalone transmission controller from US Shift and had it installed by a shop. It worked for roughly 2-3 days before going out (reverse works, but nothing else). I had pan and fluid checked by transmission shop. Fluid was burnt and metal filings were in the pan. So, I’m working on ordering a remanufactured E4OD transmission. Naturally, when I provide details on my truck, it doesn’t show as having an E4OD. I suggested to just pick the E4OD on a 1991 F350 7.3l diesel, but then he had all sorts of questions about axle ratio/speedometer gear and whether it has parking brake on the transmission (rear-mounted?). Am I asking for the wrong E4OD? Where do I find the details in order to answer his questions?

[kcinga]

I just noticed that door tag shows “49”. Not sure what ratio that equates to? IMG_0522.jpeg

[Gary Lewis]

The 49 is for the axle.  The transmission is a K, which means your truck came with the venerable C6.

The E4OD didn't come out until 1989 in these trucks, so you could tell them you have an 89.  But 91 also works.

As for " axle ratio/speedometer gear and whether it has parking brake on the transmission (rear-mounted)", the 49 means you have 3.55 gears.  And you won't have a parking brake on the rear of the transmission.

However, the question about axle ratio and speedo gears may be getting to whether or not you need a transmission with an opening for a speedo gear.  You do.  Some later trucks had the speedo driven electronically from the rear axle, but you have a speedo cable so the tranny needs to have a hole in it for the cable.

[kcinga]

I did another search and found 3.55, but I also found it available on 1991 7.3l diesel? Not sure why this guy was concerned about me ordering an E4OD from a 1991 7.3l F350 diesel for my 1986 6.9l F350 diesel? Any thoughts out there?

[Gary Lewis]

Probably because of the move to the rear axle-driven speedo.  I don't know when that happened, but if you go very far into the 90's your tranny won't have a place for a speedo cable.

[85lebaront2]

Gary, 1992 with the Aeronose introduction. He needs to order a 1991 or older so it will have the speedometer drive gear on the output shaft. He probably burned it up by not having enough line pressure. E4OD and 4R70/75W use an EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) solenoid which is a duty cycle solenoid the computer controls. Loss of power or ground signal will default to full line pressure and give some really firm shifts.

[mat in tn]

I think you are correct. I know the truck has an analog speedo and the trans must be compatible with a cable driven speedometer. I expect the axle ratio itself to do fine. however, the e40d has an od of .72. depending on the tire size a 3.73 might be better suited. as for the controller, it may need to be tuned to the axle ratio for shift points to avoid early upshift

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Bill.  That's what he needs to know - 1991 or earlier.

[kcinga]

Thanks for the responses! To be clear, this E4OD was burnt up before I got it. I only had it running and driving for a couple of days. It’s a Jasper transmission and when I gave them the product number it was so old that it wasn’t in their system. I pulled a casting number off the transmission RF-F0TP-7006-BB. F=1990’s, 0=1990, T=truck. But I think there’s another number on top of the transmission that should tell me the vehicle it came out of, right? Unfortunately, I have very little information from previous owner. He’s not the one that installed transmission, so he doesn’t know what it came out of. Worst case scenario, I will have it towed to a shop and they can drop the transmission and tell me what it came out of, hopefully. Either way, tho, I do feel comfortable getting a 1990 E4OD for a 7.3l diesel, but there are warranty concerns with this setup. Usually, the first question I have to answer is about my VIN number. And when they find out that an E4OD doesn’t belong in my truck, they aren’t sure if warranty will honor this setup. If anyone has a suggestion for a particular transmission manufacturer I should work with on my unique setup, please let me know. I’d like to work with a manufacturer that won’t give me so much grief about this setup.

[85lebaront2]

I can't help you there, I rebuild my own transmissions.

[mat in tn]

unfortunately, I think this hassle is going to be what you are up against, and I cannot say that I don't understand both sides. being that you are using a "non-standard" ecu/trans controller. especially if it is one which can be adjusted differently than the ford version. not that I have any problem with aftermarket controllers, I have used them. the issue is getting into warranties. I'm not familiar with the diesels specifically or how they communicate with the trans controller so I would defer to calling bauman or hgm and talk with them about your specifics. then you may be at the point of having your trans rebuilt.

[kcinga]

I am considering rebuilding transmission myself also, but my dad has really pushed pursuing an option that includes a warranty. So, I’m vetting that out. I am concerned about reinstalling a transmission that big. I had enough trouble when I installed a C4 transmission on my ‘71 F100 years ago. I’ve watched rebuild videos on E4OD tear down, but have yet to watch videos on rebuild. Thanks for responses everyone. I’ll continue to research and consider options.

[mat in tn]

I don't do e40ds "yet". they intrigue me but I'm busy. they are a very involved trans from what I have studied. they are probably the best for your application though. aside from a c6. now if you were wanting a more affordable path, the c6 may be the ticket.

[85lebaront2]

Mat, the earlier (pre-Powerstroke) Diesels used a transmission controller, it used an rpm signal and Fuel Injection Pump Lever sensor (throttle position) to tell it when to shift. Basically same thing the Baumann and other aftermarket units do.

With the introduction of the Powerstroke, it's all in the PCM, just like a gas engine.

[mat in tn]

pretty well as I suspected, just that I don't have actual experience with the idi's and e4ods. trans yes, but not how it gets told from the diesel. what parts are needed to be added to the 6.9 in order to talk to the Bauman controller or are the sources already there. asking for a friend. haha

[kcinga]

From my experience, E4OD was already installed but not shifting on my ‘86 F350 6.9l diesel. As was recommended here, I went with standalone controller from US Shift company (aka Bauman). Still couldn’t get it to work, so had it towed to diesel shop. Mechanic said I needed neutral safety switch wiring from previous C6 transmission. I didn’t have that and neither did previous owner. So, he went with plan B and wired it up at the steering column. It worked well. For a couple days. lol Then transmission decided not to move forward any longer. But, that’s a bad transmission issue, imo, that I need to resolve… not a controller issue. When I drained fluid, it wasn’t even red and there were metal flakes in pan. Transmission guy said it was not an issue that happened in the couple of days I had it running. It was a pre-existing issue.

[mat in tn]

this sounds like a possible misunderstanding. if the truck had no means of telling the trans when to shift, with the correct pressure, even temp. then it would not do more than first gear for a few minutes before spinning the clutches and burning through the friction materials to the point of having steel on steel slipping (giving the fluid a metallic shimmer). a c6 needs no info as it is wholly hydraulic. so, it stands to reason that it had no means of being told before you added the controller. I certainly would expect a trans specialist to know this, especially today when the vast majority are controlled electronically. but if at any time before or since you got it, it was attempted to be driven without a controller then it was damaged. it matters not by whom. it now needs a rebuild/reman.

[kcinga]

Mostly, yes. Guy I bought it from thought it was stuck in limp mode. Guy he bought it from largely used electrical system from donor truck to power transmission. Resulting behavior was that in drive it was stuck in 4th gear, then 2 and 1 could be manually shifted to. So, I inherited a mess, but I’m trying to correct course and learn along the way. This forum has been a GREAT resource (even if I don’t fully understand it all)! lol

[mat in tn]

then I guess the next question would be whether the trans and tcm from donor was for a diesel. and which one, and whether it got the proper inputs that it was requiring. going into limp mode could be from the absence of a critical input or a ground even.  

[kcinga]

I don’t even know that the limp mode was an accurate assessment. He took on truck, thinking he could fix it. Quickly determined it was above his head. I don’t know if a swap from C6 to E4OD will work without a standalone controller of some sort.