Actually the AODE and 4R70W are different. The 4R70W has a wide ratio gear set compared to the AODE. A lot of people are confused as to what has a AODE and 4R70W and call them the same which is wrong...
Here is a bit from the Tranny Article at TCCOA written by JW.
What is an AODE?
The AODE transmsision came out in 1992. It was produced from the 1992 model year through the 1995 model year. The AODE only came in the following vehicles; 1992-1994 Town Car, Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis and the 1994-1995 Mustang (both the 3.8L V6 and the 5.0L V8). These are the only years and vehicles the AODE was ever produced. The AODE is an electronically controlled transmission. The shift schedule, pressure schedule and torque converter clutch control are controlled electronically through the EEC. The gear ratios of the AODE are identical to those of the AOD, 2.40, 1.47, 1, 0.67. It's electrical connector at the passenger rear of the case easily identifies this transmission.
What is a 4R70W?
The 4R70W transmission came out in 1993 and is still produced today. All Mark 8's came with a 4R70W, all 1994 - 1997 T-Birds came with a 4R70W, all 1996 to present Mustangs came with a 4R70W, all Town Cars, Crown Vic's and Grand Marquis from 1995-present came with a 4R70W and a lot of trucks from 1994-present also came with the 4R70W. There are only three differences between the AODE and 4R70W. The first is that it has a different gear set, a Wide ratio gear set, hence this is where the W came from. The gear ratios in the 4R70W are 2.84 for 1st gear, 1.55 for 2nd gear, 1:1 for 3rd gear and 0.7 for 4th gear. The only other differences between the AODE and 4R70W is that the 4R70W uses a larger outside diameter slip yoke on the driveshaft which requires a different extension housing for this larger diameter and the 4R70W uses a better output shaft material. This is because of the higher torque multiplication of the lower 1st gear ratio.
AODE's and 4R70W's have so much potential!!! Get a new rebuilder. My Mustang shop sends them out to an awesome rebuilder. He makes them last 20-40+ passes on a high 8- low 9 second car. They don't break on him either, they just rebuild them every year for reliability.
Ive had 6 AODE transmissions and i keep having them rebuilt with heavy duty stuff and i keep frying them out. I'm now on my 7th and i have basically a stock mustang, i have no idea what the hell is going on, the guy that rebuilds them says that they shouldnt be frying like they are but they do. Im stuck in a corner here guys, with a new .030 over forged motor and a blower i need a transmission that can hold this. Can the AODE be built correctly to handle this?? I have given thought about a C4 transmission but i dont know if it will match up, (probably not) what should i do?? I NEED MAJOR HELP HERE, and converting it to a manual just seems like a lot of work, time and money, PLEASE HELP!!
Guy, if u r going through that many rebuilds on a aod, something is def wrong here. I know my 4r70w is pretty strong for a stock trans, but I did add a built converter/cooler and a awesome tune. Ive run my old 02 auto gt to 300rwhp/320rwtq with only a built converter and tune and the trans didnt give me any problems with 50k miles on it after all mods were done. I dunno man, but 99-04 autos are pretty strong in stock form and better with built converters and tune...