Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1823

information, refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-4R70W - F150 PICKUP . 

z

Use MERCON(R) V Automatic Transmission Fluid XT-5-QM or equivalent meeting MERCON
(R) V specification.  

All Vehicles 

11. Check for leaks.  

12. If equipped with air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 TRANSMISSIONS Transmission Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup 

APPLICATION 

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS 

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION) 

4R70W 

Removal 

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. With the vehicle in Neutral, position on a hoist. For 4x4 vehicles, 

remove the transfer case. See OVERHAUL article in TRANSFER CASES. 

2. To maintain initial driveshaft balance, index-mark the front flange and pinion flange. Remove the 4 bolts 

and remove the front driveshaft. On all vehicles, remove the rear driveshaft. Index-mark the driveshaft 
flange yoke and pinion flange. Remove the four bolts. Using a suitable tool, disconnect the driveshaft 
flange yoke from the pinion flange. Lower the driveshaft and slide it off the output shaft. Plug the 
extension housing to prevent fluid loss. 

Application

Trans. Model

F150 Pickup

4R100 & 4R70W

NOTE:

For removal and installation of instruction transmission, see CLUTCHES article.

WARNING:

Deactivate air bag system before performing any service operation. See 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS - F150 PICKUP for 2002 models or AIR 
BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS for 2003 models. Do not apply electrical 
power to any component on steering column without first deactivating air 
bag system. Air bag may deploy.

WARNING:

When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems 
may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer 
systems have completed a relearn cycle. Before disconnecting battery, 
see COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES for 2002 models or 
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES for 2003 models in GENERAL 
INFORMATION.

CAUTION: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. 

Never hammer on the driveshaft or any of its components to 
disconnect the yoke from the flange. Pry only in the area shown, with 
a suitable tool, to disconnect the yoke from the flange.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

3. Place a drain pan under the transmission fluid pan. Loosen the transmission fluid pan bolts and allow the 

fluid to drain. After the fluid has drained, remove the bolts. Remove the transmission fluid pan and 
transmission fluid pan gasket. The transmission fluid pan gasket is reusable. Clean and inspect for 
damage. If not damaged, the gasket should be reused. Position the transmission fluid pan gasket. Position 
the transmission fluid pan. Install the bolts.  

4. Remove the starter motor solenoid terminal cover. Disconnect the starter motor electrical connectors. On 

V6 engine, remove the bolt, stud bolt and remove starter. On V8 engines, remove the stud bolt. Remove 
the two bolts. Remove the starter.  

5. On V6 engine, remove inspection cover. See Fig. 1 . Remove 4 torque converter nuts. Rotate the 

crankshaft/flexplate assembly to access all the nuts. On V8 engines, remove the transmission inspection 
cover. Remove the rubber plug to access the nuts. See Fig. 2 . Remove the 4 nuts. Rotate the 
crankshaft/flexplate assembly to access all the nuts.  

6. On all engines, remove the shift cable and bracket. Disconnect the shift linkage from the instruction control 

lever. Remove the bolts and the bracket, and position the cable aside. Disconnect the transmission 
electrical connectors. Disconnect the digital Transmission Range (TR) sensor. Disconnect the Output 
Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor.  

7. Remove the fuel line bracket and the wire harness bracket. See Fig. 3 . Disconnect the solenoid body 

assembly electrical connector. Using a suitable transmission jack, support the transmission and secure the 
transmission to it with a safety strap. Remove the two bolts retaining the heat shield to the transmission 
support crossmember. See Fig. 4 . Loosen, but do not remove the transmission mount-to-crossmember 
nuts.  

8. Remove the 6 crossmember-to-frame nuts and bolts (3 on each side). See Fig. 5 . Remove the 

transmission mount-to-crossmember nuts, and remove the crossmember. On 5.4L engines, remove the nut 
from the exhaust bracket. See Fig. 7 . On 4.2L and 4.6L engines, remove the nut from the exhaust 
bracket. See Fig. 6 . On all engines, remove the 2 bolts, the rear transmission mount and the exhaust 
hanger. On V8 engines, remove the transmission fill tube bolt from the right cylinder head.  

9. If the transmission fluid has not been drained, position a drain pan and install a suitable plug into the 

transmission. Position aside the transmission fluid fill tube. On all engines, disconnect the transmission 
cooler tubes and allow to drain into a suitable container. On V6 engine, remove the 9 transmission-to-
engine bolts. Position the fuel lines and bracket aside. Position the fill tube aside. On V8 engines, remove 
the 7 transmission-to-engine bolts. Position the fuel lines and bracket aside. 

10. On all engines, install the Torque Converter Holding Tool (307-346). See Fig. 8 . The transmission must 

be secured with a safety chain or strap.  

11. The front of the transmission must be lowered for the transmission to clear the exhaust system during 

removal. See Fig. 9 . Continue moving the transmission rearward, while gradually lowering the front of 
the transmission. As the transmission jack is being lowered, move the transmission forward and remove it 
from the vehicle.  

NOTE:

Drain the transmission fluid if the transmission is disassembled, or 
installation of a new transmission is necessary.

WARNING:

The torque converter is heavy and can result in injury if it falls out of 
the transmission. Secure the torque converter in the transmission. If 
the torque converter is dropped, a new one must be installed.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

12. If the transmission is to be overhauled or if installing a new transmission, carry out transmission 

backflushing and cleaning. See TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER BACK FLUSHING & 
CLEANING .  

Fig. 1: Locating Inspection Cover (4.6L) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup