Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1827

Fig. 11: Locating Exhaust Heat Shield Bolts 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 12: Locating Fuel Line Bracket 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Installation 

1. Inspect the wiring harness and the connectors for damage, terminal condition, corrosion and seal 

integrity. Repair as required. 

2. Lubricate the torque converter pilot hub with multi-purpose grease. 

CAUTION: Prior to the installation of the transmission and the fluid, the cooler tubes 

and the Cooler Bypass Valve (CBV) will need to be cleaned. Transmission 
failure can occur if not cleaned. Install a new transmission Oil-To-Air 
(OTA) cooler if the transmission was overhauled or exchanged due to a 
failure of the transmission. Transmission failure can occur if a new OTA 
cooler is not used.

CAUTION: Prior to the installation of the transmission assembly, the torque 

converter pilot hub must be correctly lubricated or damage to the 
torque converter or the engine crankshaft can occur.

CAUTION: Do not use the cooler bypass valve as a handle. Damage to the 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

3. The front of the transmission will need to be lowered in order for the transmission to clear the exhaust 

system. See Fig. 9 . Raise the rear of the transmission to clear the exhaust.  

4. The transmission must be in a horizontal position before removing the special tool. See Fig. 8 . Remove 

the special tool. Position the upper right transmission-to-engine bolt. Connect the wire harness to the top 
of the transmission. While raising the transmission into the engine compartment, make sure to align the 
fluid filler tube with the stub tube on the transmission. Use the fluid level indicator as a guide. 

5. While installing the transmission to the engine, align the torque converter studs with the mounting holes 

in the flexplate. Install 7 transmission-to-engine bolts. Connect the solenoid body connector. Connect the 
HEGO sensor connector. Connect the two harness routing clips.  

6. Install the transmission fluid cooler tubes to the cooler bypass valve. Connect the fuel line bracket and 

install the nut. See Fig. 12 . Connect the Turbine Shaft Sensor (TSS) and the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) 
sensor. Connect the digital Transmission Range (TR) sensor connector. Connect the shift cable. Install the 
cable housing to the bracket. Install the shift cable to the instruction lever.  

7. Install torque converter-to-flexplate nuts. Install the cylinder block opening cover. See Fig. 10 . Install the 

flexplate inspection cover and bolts. To install the starter motor, position the starter. Install the two bolts. 
Install the stud bolt. Connect the starter motor electrical connectors. Install the plastic cover to the starter 
motor electrical connector.  

8. On 4x2 vehicles, install the rear transmission mount and the exhaust hanger. Position the crossmember 

and loosely install the mount-to-crossmember nuts. Install the 6 crossmember-to-frame nuts and bolts (3 
on each side). See Fig. 5 . Lower the transmission on the crossmember and tighten the rear mount nuts. 
Install the 2 exhaust heat shield-to-crossmember bolts (one on each side). See Fig. 11 . Remove the 
transmission jack. Install the driveshaft.  

9. On 4x4 vehicles, to maintain initial driveshaft balance, align the index marks made during removal. 

Install the front driveshaft to the front axle pinion flange. Using a jack stand support the extension 
housing. Remove the transmission jack. Install the transfer case assembly. See OVERHAUL article in 
TRANSFER CASES.  

10. On all vehicles, use the following guidelines for the in-line transmission fluid filter: 

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If the transmission was overhauled and the vehicle was equipped with an in-line fluid filter, install 
a new in-line fluid filter.  

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If the transmission was overhauled and the vehicle was not equipped with an in-line fluid filter, 
install a new in-line fluid filter kit.  

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If the transmission is being installed for a non-internal repair, do not install an in-line filter or filter 
kit.  

cooler bypass valve assembly can occur or damage to the case can 
result. Be careful not to raise the transmission up too far. The 
sensors can make contact with the underbody of the vehicle and 
cause sensor damage. Sensor failure or leakage can occur.

CAUTION: Do not allow the torque converter drive flats to disengage from the 

pump gear. Use care not to damage the flexplate and the converter 
pilot. The torque converter must rest squarely against the flexplate, 
indicating the converter pilot is not binding in the crankshaft.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup

  

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If installing a Ford-authorized remanufactured transmission, install the in-line transmission fluid 
filter that is supplied.  

Prior to lowering the vehicle, install a new in-line transmission filter or a filter kit. 

11. Connect the battery ground cable. Fill to correct level with clean automatic transmission fluid. Check the 

transmission for correct operation.  

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (TRANSMISSION - 4R70W) 

NOTE:

When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some 
abnormal drive symptoms can occur while the vehicle relearns its 
adaptive strategy. The customer needs to be notified that they may 
experience slightly different upshifts (either soft or firm) and that this is a 
temporary condition that will eventually return to normal operating 
condition.

Application

Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Cooler Tube Nut-To-Case Fitting

10-16 (13-22)

Exhaust Manifold Bolts

25-34 (34-46)

Exhaust Pipe Bolts

25-34 (34-46)

Extension Housing Bolts

18-22 (25-30)

Fluid Cooler Line Case Fittings

21-25 (24-30)

Front Driveshaft Bolts

65-87 (88-119)

Front Pump Bolts

18-22 (24-30)

Front Pump Support Bolts

15-19 (20-26)

Inspection Cover Bolts

22-30 (30-40)

Instruction Lever Shaft Inner Nut

19-27 (26-37)

Instruction Lever Shaft Outer Nut

22-26 (30-35)

Output Shaft Speed Sensor Bolt

6-12 (8-16)

Pressure Tap Plugs

6-12 (8-16)

Rear Driveshaft Bolts

65-87 (88-119)

Rear Transmission Crossmember Bolts

64-81 (87-110)

Starter Bolts

16-20 (22-28)

Torque Converter Nuts

20-34 (34-46)

Transmission Bolts

30-41 (40-55)

Transmission Fluid Filler Tube Bolt

14-16 (18-23)

Transmission Fluid Pan Bolts

9-11 (12-15)

Transmission Mount Bolts

50-68 (68-92)

Transmission Mount Nuts

73-97 (98-132)

Transmission Vent Tube

6-12 (8-16)

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Removal & Installation - F150 Pickup