[rose62]

With my C4 and a 3:50 rear gear, I have a feeling that I'll be looking for one.

What were your installation experiences?

How are the results?

 

[awhtx]

I believe the consensus is don't waste your time with the AOD. Go 4R70W or go home.

 

[Mach1 Driver]

Yep, awhtx is right. The 4R70W was the last version of the AOD that had all the upgrades and fixes. It bolts right up to a SBF, and the gearing is better too. It needs an electronic controller that allows you to set all the shifts, etc: US Shift Quick4. This video will tell you what you need:

 

[CNCN3]

Is the 4R70W larger around than the AOD ?
Will there be interference with the floor boards. With the output shaft on same centerline as an AOD (or C4), will the trany mount need to be modified ?

 

[Mach1 Driver]

In the posts that I've seen (there is a really good one on here), all he did was cut off an unused tab on the trannie, and it fit right in his 65.

My Extensive 4R70W swap and conversion guide into a 1965...

I’ve been daily driving my Ivy green 1965 Mustang Convertible for a few years now. It is a C code, PS, factory disc brake car with a C4, and it’s about time for overdrive. There are a few excellent “how to threads” on this forum when it comes to automatic overdrive swaps. The following is a...

www.vintage-mustang.com

 

[CNCN3]

I'm planning a T5 for my project but have been having problems with my left knee.
I have a couple of AODs so figured that may end up being my fall back.
But I only have one chance to get this right first time, so am thinking twice about the AODs (I am aware of their quirkiness and weak points so im not going into this totally blind lol)

 

[CNCN3]

In the posts that I've seen (there is a really good one on here), all he did was cut off an unused tab on the trannie, and it fit right in his 65.

My Extensive 4R70W swap and conversion guide into a 1965...

I’ve been daily driving my Ivy green 1965 Mustang Convertible for a few years now. It is a C code, PS, factory disc brake car with a C4, and it’s about time for overdrive. There are a few excellent “how to threads” on this forum when it comes to automatic overdrive swaps. The following is a...

www.vintage-mustang.com

Thanks!

 

[jonk67]

I can't give any driving experience yet but I bought an AOD 15 years ago to replace the C4 and 3.50:1 - 9". I didn't want computers in my '67 car but also at the time the controllers were >$1K and out of my budget. Now I wish I had gone 4R70W for the ability to adjust shift points.

My AOD is built and has some adjustments (500rpm up/down shift point but I have to drop the pan to get to the screw), has an OD lockout switch for 1/4mi. trips and constant pressure valve body (no TV cable misadjustment worry) all done to the VB by Silverfox but he only builds race trans now. I'm still under the cost of a 4R70W when it was built but electronic control boxes have come down $ a lot, so probably a draw to start with the beefier 4R70W +box now.

Finding headers that will clear the AOD (and PS ram) is a challenge as it is wider than the C4 and the trans mount is 1" farther back for 4R70W vs. AOD according to the measurements here and a good comparison: AOD and 4R70W - Differences and Similarities - Pros vs Cons

 

[rpm]

I wasted time and money upgrading an AOD with 4R70W output shaft, hardened inner input shaft, red alto frictions, kolene steels, and other parts. Shoulda just gone with the 4R70W and Baumann box and be done with it. I spent more time and money after being told to go the 4R70W route... but that's me, so...

 

[sotexyellow]

I've run a bone stock AOD in a 65 F100 w/ an 86 5.0 motor since about 1996 without issues, but this is not a performance or even spirited driving application. Some towing. I had to swap the pumpkin to a 3.50 ratio from a 3.20 to have any guts, Runs 1800 rpm at 70 mph. Do over would have gone with 3.70 - 3.91. However, I get 22 mpg from bread box aerodynamics. I believe the later version is what you want though.

 

[Mach1 Driver]

Finding headers that will clear the AOD (and PS ram) is a challenge as it is wider than the C4 and the trans mount is 1" farther back for 4R70W vs. AOD according to the measurements here and a good comparison: AOD and 4R70W - Differences and Similarities - Pros vs Cons

FPA says their long tube headers will fit, and of course you can see what he did in the linked post above

 

[josh-kebob]

I'm running an AOD in my FB. Tranny was rebuilt when I got it from a donor car and the price was right....$600 for the car. My set up is a rebuilt explorer 5.0, Edelbrock carb, 3:50 rear gears and 15" wheels. I used Lokars tv cable setup and adjusted/checked the trans press with a guage. Monster transmissions has a couple great videos on how to properly set it up. After 3k miles, I've had zero issues and get 21+ mpg on the highway.

 

[68projectcar]

I have the old AOD none ele. 93 year model in my 68, Love it. Just besure to set the pressure with a gauge, or you will burn it up, use the Lokar set-up. and as stated, you have to remove the [2] ears on top for it to fit.

 

[rpm]

I'm running an AOD in my FB. Tranny was rebuilt when I got it from a donor car and the price was right....$600 for the car. My set up is a rebuilt explorer 5.0, Edelbrock carb, 3:50 rear gears and 15" wheels. I used Lokars tv cable setup and adjusted/checked the trans press with a guage. Monster transmissions has a couple great videos on how to properly set it up. After 3k miles, I've had zero issues and get 21+ mpg on the highway.

Ya, rub it in.

 

[W427]

Wow, the band-wagon is getting full. But also consider the 4R70/75W have lower 1st gears, so compared to your C4 and 3.50s, you'd effectively have 4.04:1 in 1st and 2.35s in OD. The "W" is for Wide gear ratio.

 

[DrVett]

I asked my (former) mechanic when he put the 302 in my car whether I should go AOD or 4R70W. He talked me out of the 4R70W. Since then I’ve paid all removal and reinstall costs for the AOD to be rebuilt the first time it burned up. Then the rebuild failed and had it redone at a good transmission place. So far so good with the transmission shop work. But for all the $, and there has been a lot, I really wish I had not done the AOD.

Allen

 

[Clevelandcoupe]

I have run an AOD in my Model A behind a 351 Cleveland for 20 years and 58K miles. It was put together with a Lokar kickdown cable modified TCI valve body, upgraded clutches and has held together well with an occasional beating. No complaints after I got the shift points set up. My Model A only weighs about 2,400 lbs a bit less that a mustang for sure.
Thanks, Jay

 

[W427]

I don't think anyone is saying the C4 and AOD are not good transmissions when factory, or set-up properly in a swap; but that the benefits and advantages to going 4R are quite strong for swaps in-particular. It's all judgments against your goals. Research the pros and cons, balance them for you and your project, and do your thing.

 

[moonraker]

I have a Lentech-built AOD behind 392 stroker with fixed pressure VB. I didn't want an additional computer and didn't want to deal with setting the correct pressure. 10K mile so far and very happy with it.

 

[GypsyR]

Experiences with AOD's seem all over the place. Some folks (like me) can happily run one for years and years and like it just fine. Others complain about slight differences in ratios and how it doesn't quite shift precisely how they want it to or something. No idea why some folks have such good luck with them and others can't deal with them.

Nobody seems to complain about their 4R70W's other than the initial price so there's that.