5r55w question (dipstick)

[rcolosi]

Stupid question. I have an '04 ranger s/c 4.0 4x4 I know it is listed as a 5R55W tranny.. but it is not supposed to have a dipstick. Mine does. Did they change this? ..or do I actually not have a 5r55w?

 

[exbass94]

You don't have a 5R55W. You have a 5R55E. The only Fords that have the "W" are the newer Explorers I believe. I also think that they're both significantly different from each other.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Starting in 2002, Explorers don't have a trans dipstick ( 5R55S/W). There is a stand pipe on the drain plug that you set the fluid level with. In 2006 with the 4.6L the trans changed again ( 6R60 ) and it has a dipstick, sort of. It's accessed underneath under a plug on the right side. The dipstick itself is about 4 inches long and you need a suction gun type tool to fill it up.

And yes, it's a pain in the ass.

All auto trans Rangers have dipsticks.

 

[Jspafford]

Why so damn many different transmissions?

Which seems to hold up better, the newer ones in the explorer's or the ones in the rangers?

 

[exbass94]

The first year or two of the 5R55W/S were really problematic I hear. I believe they have improved substantially since then and they are now better than the 5R55E. There's also the 5R55N, I forget which vehicle comes with those. It gets confusing.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Early 5R55S/W were problematic ( broken bands, broken servo pistons, bad solenoids and converters). The 5R55N came in the Lincoln LS and were much better. I haven't worked on many, mind you I don't work at a Lincoln dealer.

The 5R55E has been around for a long time so now they are very reliable. The only real problems I've come across in the 6R60 ( 4.6 Explorer ) are programing problems. They've had a few TSB's for TCM reprograms. Nothing serious.

AX4S, 4R100/E4OD, CD4E were THE bread and butter of my paycheck back in the day. Now it's Torqshift ( 5R110, SuperDuty ) and 4R75E ( F-150) .