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Old 04-18-2016, 10:23 AM   #1
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5.4 shift kit?

5.4 shift kit? hello everybody. My adventures continue. My tranny started slipping badly, so I pulled into Las Cruces, New Mexico and found a local transmission shop. They finally have it apart because, as always with me, I only break down on Fridays in the afternoon. Anyway, the builder seems very good and they are not being pushy, but he is recommending I install a shift kit. I know nothing about them and I want to throw myself on the mercy of the collective wisdom here and see what people say about automatic transmission shift kits. I am most interested in reliability over performance. I probably will have to make the decision in the next few hours. Thank you all. ~ Paul

ps: I got over 100,000 miles on this with old lady style driving on the stock transmission.

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Old 04-18-2016, 12:29 PM   #2
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Personally, on a modern transmission I would choose electronic adjustments over changes to the valve body. Easier, can be tuned to your loads and driving style, and effectively firms the shifts by reducing pulse time on the solenoids, instead of installing stiffer valve springs.

I had a shift kit in my old E4OD. It did good, but some shifts were too harsh. Also it didn't change the torque converter lockup schedule, which electronic tuning does, and keeping it locked up will do more for reducing trans fluid temps than changing shift firmness.
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:53 PM   #3
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well, it may be too late. Maybe I'll give them a call, but I left there a couple of hours ago and gave them the go-ahead and I am now in El Paso, shooting photos. They also recommended a low stall torque converter.
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Old 04-18-2016, 08:38 PM   #4
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I can't speak to a shift kit on a 5.4 van but I did have one put in my 5.4 Expedition when I had the tranny rebuild recently. Big improvement, especially towing. It locks in hard then you punch it. It doesn't seem sluggish anymore, it just goes. I agree with CarringB on this but I don't think it's a waste of money if you are already rebuilding the trans. They aren't expensive anyway.

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Old 04-18-2016, 08:58 PM   #5
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I'm going with it. We shall see. That and the low-stall torque converter. At least it crapped out in Las Cruces. I actually spent Christmas Eve, 2009, here in a Motel 6 with my much beloved, recently departed hound, Elko, when we were on our way up to Quadvan to pick the van up. 113,000 miles later, I'm still loving the van. As things go and I replace parts, I keep thinking about changing out that fuel sending unit, the one sitting in my 46 gallon Transferflow tank. I wonder if that might not be a good pre-emptive move? Anyway, it'll be good to get going again. I have been just driving around here and El Paso and Alamogordo, taking photos, being sedentary, and eating way too much great Mexican food. They may finish tomorrow. I hope I can roll out of here by Wednesday, but I want to make sure I run it around here before I leave town. The warranty is strictly local, although I do plan to pass through here again on my back from California in a week or two. Thanks for your replies. ~ Paul
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Old 04-19-2016, 03:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomadcat View Post
I'm going with it. We shall see. That and the low-stall torque converter. At least it crapped out in Las Cruces. I actually spent Christmas Eve, 2009, here in a Motel 6 with my much beloved, recently departed hound, Elko, when we were on our way up to Quadvan to pick the van up. 113,000 miles later, I'm still loving the van. As things go and I replace parts, I keep thinking about changing out that fuel sending unit, the one sitting in my 46 gallon Transferflow tank. I wonder if that might not be a good pre-emptive move? Anyway, it'll be good to get going again. I have been just driving around here and El Paso and Alamogordo, taking photos, being sedentary, and eating way too much great Mexican food. They may finish tomorrow. I hope I can roll out of here by Wednesday, but I want to make sure I run it around here before I leave town. The warranty is strictly local, although I do plan to pass through here again on my back from California in a week or two. Thanks for your replies. ~ Paul

Just noticed this thread, and more importantly your location. Drop me an e-mail/PM if you're still around and want to get together for a beer. I'm in LC.


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Old 04-19-2016, 08:21 PM   #7
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Oh man, Herb, I did not know. I don't do beer anymore, but I'd get a lemonade or an ice cream. I'm picking it up tomorrow - fingers crossed - and, depending on how late it is, I may want to bolt out of town. That being said, though, I might be around for an extra half hour or so. I'll PM you my phone number and you can text me tomorrow or send me yours.

Paul
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