• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

A bit of a surprise, what tranny do I have?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 35thGTLimited
  • Start date Start date Apr 19, 2018

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 19, 2018
#1
  • Apr 19, 2018
  • #1
So I was chatting in a Stang group today on FB, and wound up in a disagreement and then profoundly confused. I have a '00 GT auto, it's highly modified, mostly from the previous owner. I bought it knowing very little and I've just been sort of figuring it all out. Anyway, my car is 100% definitely a 4 speed with O/D. I just discovered that my car's OEM trans was a 3 speed with O/D. After a bit of googling, it seems as though I likely have the 5R55S out of a newer Stang (or something?).

So I'm curious, without a doubt new edge Stangs are 3 speed with O/D? And if so, is there any way I can go about figuring the exact trans I have?

P.S. I'm not a super technical guy, but I'll explain best I can. First through third gears are your typical sloppy auto gears, 4th gear locks and it's firm like a manual, and then there's O/D. Hope that makes sense.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Apr 20, 2018
#2
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #2
The automatic transmission from a 1996+ model year is PCM controlled. Which means that the shifting is totally controlled by the car's computer.

The 1996-2004 model year Mustang came from the factory with a 4R70W which is a 4 speed transmission. The top gear also has a lock up torque converter.

If you were to bolt up a 5 speed transmission from a 2005+ model year into a 1999-2004 MY then:
  • the drive shaft would not fit
  • the transmission mount would not fit.
  • the electrical connectors would not fit
  • the PCM would not have the needed programming to control shifting.
Does YOUR car have a transmission dip stick? FWIIW the 5R55S does not have a dip stick.

If you still want confirmation of which transmission your car has then post pictures of the transmission oil pan.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,178
21,344
234
Box behind Walmart
Apr 20, 2018
#3
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #3
35thGTLimited said:
So I was chatting in a Stang group today on FB
Click to expand...
First mistake


35thGTLimited said:
and wound up in a disagreement and then profoundly confused.
Click to expand...
As if there was another likely outcome


35thGTLimited said:
I just discovered that my car's OEM trans was a 3 speed with O/D.
Click to expand...
Here we go... lol

  • AODE 4-speed automatic (1994-1995 V6 & GT)
  • 4R70W 4-speed automatic (1996-2004 V6 & GT)

I'm not sure where you got that other transmission listing from.


Sorry it's not you. bookface is a constant source of awesome Mustang tech. If you have a chance, check out the, "I'm surrounded by idiots" thread in the 5oh Talk section. There's some whoppers in there. LoL
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#4
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #4
I guess I'm not surprised, but a wiki showed the same thing. Frustrating, numerous sources say 3 speed, I give up.
 
Reactions: Noobz347

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,178
21,344
234
Box behind Walmart
Apr 20, 2018
#5
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #5
35thGTLimited said:
I guess I'm not surprised, but a wiki showed the same thing. Frustrating, numerous sources say 3 speed, I give up.
Click to expand...

I feel ya man. I've been on this site for many many years as a direct result of crazy info from Magazine Mechanics. Internet Mechanics are an even more special breed.

"My best friend's buddy's sister's cousin on her uncle's side makes 12 million hp with a hair dryer turbo system running form a 9 volt battery!"
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Apr 20, 2018
#6
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #6
35thGTLimited said:
I guess I'm not surprised, but a wiki showed the same thing. Frustrating, numerous sources say 3 speed, I give up.
Click to expand...

Technically Wiki is right because the 4th gear (Overdrive) can be locked out so the trans only uses the first 3 gears. After 2005, and in many modern automatics this feature was dropped in many cars.

So it could be referred to as a 3 + OD, or a 4-spd auto. Both are correct as long as you know what they are talking about. When my car was an AOD, I always drove it around in D which basically limited it to a 3-spd auto. On the highway I would shift to OD on the trans allowing it to use that 4th gear. Modern cars today just have D and usually feature a manumatic mode, so the old designation isn't really applicable today.

But for a 2000 GT stock, you should have a 4-spd automatic. If you hit the O/D off button, the light on the dash should come on and the trans will not use 4th gear as listed below.

1st = 2.84
2nd = 1.55
3rd = 1
4th = .70
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#7
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #7
Wait, this just isn't right. My transmission is 100% 5 gears. I am confused. It's four gears, and then overdrive. With O/D off, it has 4 gears, with O/D on, a fifth. I guess I will have to find another way of verifying.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Apr 20, 2018
#8
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #8
If you are counting 5 gears, then we'll need pics and such to help try and track down what you actually have.

Is your car a 3V swap? Do you have a trans dipstick?
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#9
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #9
Would it be helpful if I record a video today? This way nobody has to take my word for it.
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#10
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #10
Mustang5L5 said:
If you are counting 5 gears, then we'll need pics and such to help try and track down what you actually have.

Is your car a 3V swap? Do you have a trans dipstick?
Click to expand...

I'll record a short video and upload to my youtube channel. I'll also try to get it on the lift today, will certainly take pics. Edit: Are the valve covers the same size on a 3V as a 2V? It most certainly looks like a 2V. Also thanks for the assist here.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,178
21,344
234
Box behind Walmart
Apr 20, 2018
#11
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #11
35thGTLimited said:
Would it be helpful if I record a video today? This way nobody has to take my word for it.
Click to expand...
Mustang5L5 said:
If you are counting 5 gears, then we'll need pics and such to help try and track down what you actually have.
Click to expand...


Just take some images of the transmission.
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#12
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #12
Noobz347 said:
Just take some images of the transmission.
Click to expand...

If I can get a few minutes on the lift I certainly will, thanks.
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
3,113
30
119
Ohio
Apr 20, 2018
#13
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #13
35thGTLimited said:
I'll record a short video and upload to my youtube channel. I'll also try to get it on the lift today, will certainly take pics. Edit: Are the valve covers the same size on a 3V as a 2V? It most certainly looks like a 2V. Also thanks for the assist here.
Click to expand...
The valve covers are different between the 2v and 3v.
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#14
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #14
mogs01gt said:
The valve covers are different between the 2v and 3v.
Click to expand...

I checked, it's most certainly a 2V. Gonna try to get it on the lift today.
 
Last edited: Apr 20, 2018

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#15
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #15
Ignore the RPM gauge, I need to pull the cluster to fix it, reads 1000rpm high. Also battery and engine are fine, I'm messing with stuff and I need to replace my battery terminals. I made a video for now, to clearly show that it's a 5 speed (4 speed with O/D). I plan to jack it up at work tonight and get a few pics of the trans.

The audio is absolute trash, sorry, my phone is awful.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKbniwkTOtk
 
Last edited: Apr 20, 2018

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Apr 20, 2018
#16
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #16
Well now that's interesting. I guess we'll need to see some pics now under the car.

Have you confirmed a dipstick tube?
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#17
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #17
I'll check now, just a moment.
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#18
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #18
Yes, it has a dipstick. Behind the left (passenger) valve cover. Can't tell if it's an OEM thing or if it's somehow custom or something.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Apr 20, 2018
#19
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #19
It would be expected for the RPM's to drop when the lock up torque converter locks up. But that's not a gear change! 4 gears plus lock up torque converted, RPM's drop (5) times.

A car with a 5R55S would shift 5 times and then when the lock up torque converted "locks up" would make (6) RPM's drop.
 

35thGTLimited

Active Member
Mar 10, 2007
48
8
28
The Pocono's
Apr 20, 2018
#20
  • Apr 20, 2018
  • #20
The shop tomorrow will tell me for certain. I don't know who to believe, but I appreciate the input. It's not a big deal. It will be a T56 eventually anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Car shakes when taking off help???
  • STANKYstangs
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
344
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 27, 2026
LILCBRA
B
Questions About T5 Manual
  • Blackout67
  • Apr 13, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
619
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 22, 2025
89ripper
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
595
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
529
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
H
New kid on the block
  • HydraX
  • Mar 22, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
17
Views
785
The Welcome Wagon Mar 22, 2025
HydraX
H
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?