[NoColoradoGT]

I searched and searched and searched for a write up, but couldn't find one. Maybe I'm blind, or maybe there isn't one, but...

I need to do a fluid and filter change on my 4R70W for sure. 115k and it's never been changed, and I believe it may have also developed a slow leak.

For reps and my eternal gratitude, does anyone want to walk me through the full process?

I'm confident I can do it, I just need to know exactly what to do, what tools I need, what ATF and Filter to buy, and what exactly to pull and not pull.

Just want to make sure I'm doing things right here.

Thanks guys!

[Slow4.6]

My last car was a '99 GT with the 4R70W. For a while I wanted to do the J-Mod (basically a shift kit) and change the fluid..when I finally did I realized how f***ing easy it was!

All I did was drive the front up on ramps
Let the trans cool
Start from the back passenger's side of the trans pan
- Loosen that corner bolt and go around evenly LOOSENING the bolts.
- When they're loosened, take out the back corner one you started with and gradually take out a few more next to it (save the fronts for the very last..keep them in)
- When you have a few out, take a flat head screw driver and gently pry down the pan so fluid starts pouring out. Once it stops, loose/take out a couple more pan bolts and drop the pan a little more so more comes out.
> If you do this right and take your time, you won't have much of a mess (since there is no drain plug).

Once you get the pan off, take the filter off. It's fairly flat and a sort of rectangle shape. It may take a little leverage, but not much.

Clean the pan and magnet in the pan with brake cleaner.
Rub some trans fluid around the seal of the new filter like you would for an oil filter and press it back in place of the old one.

Bolt the pan back up (make sure the magnet is there) with the gasket and re-fill.

---
I got the new filter from Autozone and I believe it also came with a new rubber pan gasket. I think it took something like 8 quarts of trans fluid..MERCON V

Also note, this only drains the fluid in the trans and not the torque converter.

[casper gt]

Originally Posted by Slow4.6 My last car was a '99 GT with the 4R70W. For a while I wanted to do the J-Mod (basically a shift kit) and change the fluid..when I finally did I realized how f***ing easy it was! All I did was drive the front up on ramps Let the trans cool Start from the back passenger's side of the trans pan - Loosen that corner bolt and go around evenly LOOSENING the bolts. - When they're loosened, take out the back corner one you started with and gradually take out a few more next to it (save the fronts for the very last..keep them in) - When you have a few out, take a flat head screw driver and gently pry down the pan so fluid starts pouring out. Once it stops, loose/take out a couple more pan bolts and drop the pan a little more so more comes out. > If you do this right and take your time, you won't have much of a mess (since there is no drain plug). Once you get the pan off, take the filter off. It's fairly flat and a sort of rectangle shape. It may take a little leverage, but not much. Clean the pan and magnet in the pan with brake cleaner. Rub some trans fluid around the seal of the new filter like you would for an oil filter and press it back in place of the old one. Bolt the pan back up (make sure the magnet is there) with the gasket and re-fill. --- I got the new filter from Autozone and I believe it also came with a new rubber pan gasket. I think it took something like 8 quarts of trans fluid..MERCON V Also note, this only drains the fluid in the trans and not the torque converter.

this ^ covers it for the most part, but I would add 2 things,

#1, if the fluid hasn't been changed before as you stated, there will be a plug in the bottom of the pan (kinda looks like a miniature open umbrella) that sealed the dip stick hole when the trans was new, then when it went down the assembly line & got it's dipstick installed, they just push the plug into the trans. you should just throw the plug away, it has no function once the dipstick tube is installed.

#2, make absolutely shure you get the old filter gasket out of the hole (it may come out with the filter, it may not).

other than that its very simple.

[Slow4.6]

Originally Posted by casper gt #1, if the fluid hasn't been changed before as you stated, there will be a plug in the bottom of the pan (kinda looks like a miniature open umbrella) that sealed the dip stick hole when the trans was new, then when it went down the assembly line & got it's dipstick installed, they just push the plug into the trans. you should just throw the plug away, it has no function once the dipstick tube is installed. #2, make absolutely shure you get the old filter gasket out of the hole (it may come out with the filter, it may not). other than that its very simple.

Oops, forgot to mention that plug. I had about 100k miles on the car when I did it so there was no plug there. Regardless, if it is, it doesn't need to go back.

Trust me, it's much easier to do than it seems. I did it on my own in my driveway with just ramps in the front (leaving the back down helps it drain easier too).

After you refill..it's something like 6-8 quarts if you don't drain the torque converter, just start the car, hold your foot on the brake and shift into each gear to get the fluid flowing. Check your fluid level and check for leaks and go for a ride.

[crashed00gt]

^^^ yup just like that.

[NoColoradoGT]

Awesome!! Thanks guys. Sounds much easier than I was anticipating. Also sounds like it can be done in under an hour and a half too. haha.

Do you recommend draining the torque converter though?

Slow and Casper, repped you both.

[casper gt]

Originally Posted by NoColoradoGT Awesome!! Thanks guys. Sounds much easier than I was anticipating. Also sounds like it can be done in under an hour and a half too. haha. Do you recommend draining the torque converter though? Slow and Casper, repped you both.

reps returned

as to draining the converter, the factory converter does have a drain & if your up for getting messy then by allmeans drain it too.

just remember that draining the converter will bring you into the neighborhood of 12 qts & mercon V is very expensive (around 6 dollars a quart)

[Slow4.6]

Originally Posted by casper gt reps returned as to draining the converter, the factory converter does have a drain & if your up for getting messy then by allmeans drain it too. just remember that draining the converter will bring you into the neighborhood of 12 qts & mercon V is very expensive (around 6 dollars a quart)

+1

I didn't bother with the torque converter but it's up to you. It can definitely be done in under an hour and a half. Just make sure when you drop the pan and it's leaning down that you DO NOT bend the lip.

[86er]

buy a big cooking sheet with like a 1/2 inch deep lip on. Punch some holes in it with your screw driver and then put that on top of your drain pain. will make it 100 times easier to catch the fluid when it starts to come out. You dont have to be so worried with the pan under there to catch it. Best 3 bucks you will spend

[Jaa1456]

So how easy is the shift kit install?

[NoColoradoGT]

86er, I'm definitely going to take that advice. So just set the cooking sheet down on top of my plastic drain pan as I remove the trans-fluid pan?

Originally Posted by Jaa1456 So how easy is the shift kit install?

Yeah, while we're at it, let's discuss. hahaha! The J-Mod makes it a manual valve body correct?

[Slow4.6]

The J-Mod? There is nothing you install.

In short, you drop the valve body, drill out about 5 holes, put the new replacement gasket back on. Then you (I did..there are other options) remove an accumulator spring and bolt everything back up.

The TCCOA.org site has all the info you need for it. Also Google search '4r70w jmod' for more posts to get the specifics..some parts are a bit more than you need.

Edit: All the J-Mod does is make your shifts more firm. Basically it allows more fluid to travel through the holes you enlarge so you get more firm shifts. I was able to chirp the 1-2 shift every time and sometimes the 3-4 with only an intake, catted x and catback. With a tuner, all you are doing for firmer shifts is increasing line pressure.

[casper gt]

shift kits are very straight forward, but not fool proof.

in the past I have went to great lenghts to try & explain shift kit installs/etc but now that I've had a chance to see their work, get to know them & run their parts, my advice is to just call Frank & have him build you a valve body complete & just swap it in.

you can reach Frank @ RevMax converters

Performance Torque Converters | RevMax

heres a cool video of their shop car on a shakedown run,
Revmax 91mm 1995 Turbo Mustang 5.40@135 1.34 60'

[86er]

yup thats it, it will be wider than the trans pan and catch all that falls down, cause you will jossle the trans pan and have some fluid splash out

[VinceS2K]

So you do like their converter's now casper?

[RevmaxConverters]

Be careful attempting a DIY shift kit install. I can't even begin to tell you how many ruined valve body cores we get from customers who have attempted this on their own....

[casper gt]

Originally Posted by Vince's98! So you do like their converter's now casper?

after having one in my car & another in my buddies mach 1, along with talking with some Ls guys, I'm sold on them.

my car has never been more stable & predictable (last test session I made 7 passes with a .03 spread between all of them, with my old converter I would be lucky to make 7 runs within .3 of eash other), I wouln't be recomending anythng else.

[noser7]

I think mim stupid but I havnt changed mine because im scared it will mess up my trany..i heard that if u dont change it in a long time it messes up if you do it

[mrbigjeep]

Originally Posted by RevmaxConverters Be careful attempting a DIY shift kit install. I can't even begin to tell you how many ruined valve body cores we get from customers who have attempted this on their own....

they're really quite simple and there isn't much to it, but hey there are some real bone heads out there

[Slow4.6]

Originally Posted by mrbigjeep they're really quite simple and there isn't much to it, but hey there are some real bone heads out there

Took me a few months to figure out exactly what I had to do and going through tons of threads and posts to finally do the J-Mod and after I finished, I was disappointed that I waited so long lol.

Just need to take your time and read the write-ups a bunch of times and you should be golden.