So I have a leak in my radiator and when I started looking for a replacement it would ask me which transmission I have. Door code is "D" which is 5R55E, but everything thing I've read said those only come with the 4.0 and I have the 3.0. Any help please?


At this point I'm not even sure there is a difference in the 3.0 and 4.0 radiators. I hate to order the wrong one though.

 

5R55E and 5R44E are the same, 5R55E is often the generic model number used

Either uses trans code "D"

And just FYI, 4R55E or 4R44E are same trans as 5R's, trans code "T"
Ford software engineers just turned on OD(overdrive) while still in 1st to get a new 2nd gear, a Faux 2nd gear, to make 5R a 5 speed, very clever these Americans, lol.
So the COMPUTER(PCM) software is the difference in the 4R and 5R models.

And all are an A4LD transmission internally, only difference is that the 4R and 5R got more solenoids
So they are all 3 speed automatics with Overdrive

 

Thanks RonD. That helps a bunch. Weird that they would ask which trans if it didn't really matter.

 

This is interesting that you stated they are all basicly 3 speed automatics with overdrive. I've been wondering a lot about this since I got this 2002 3.0 automatic rwd. a while back. I 'm under the impression this is supposed to be a 5 speed transmission but all I feel is the 1-2 shift and the 2-3 shift and then overdrive after 50 or so. I'm thinking there should be another shift in there somewhere. transmission feels fine, doesn't slip, downshifts fine also. I'm just confused about what I should feel as far as shifts and converter lockup, is the lockup also considered one of the speeds too?
I don't know if I have a problem or not. I would like to change the fluid since it has 150,000 on it and I don't know if it's been changed or not. How much fluid should I need just by dropping the pan, I know this doesn't get it all and was wondering about an additive like Lucas also and is there anything else in there I should look at while the pan is off or change just as a precaution..

 

The new 2nd gear combination in the 5-speed (1st plus overdrive) is not always used. Under light acceleration, 2nd is skipped and the 5-speed acts like its 4-speed predecessor.

 

Yes, ratio difference between 1st and 2nd was 1.0 in the 4R, which meant RPMs had to get high in 1st before shift to 2nd or engine would lug down

4R used these ratios
1st: 2.47, 2nd: 1.47, 3rd: 1.00, (OD)4th: 0.75

2.47 to 1.47 is a big change

5R used these ratios
1st: 2.47, 2nd: 1.87, 3rd: 1.47, 4th: 1.00, 5th: 0.75

They added the 1.87 ratio as 2nd, so less of a jump

1st gear is 2.47, and (OD)4th is .75
2.47 X .75 = 1.85, with mechanics involved its actually 1.87 ratio

Since trans has full electronic shifting computer can turn on OD while still in 1st, and thats what happens to get 2nd gear in 5R transmissions

And yes, its at the computers discretion whether or not to use 2nd gear, it knows throttle position, RPMs and speed, so its just math