4R70W Planetary 2003, used and ready to install. Fits the 4R70W. Ships fast from the USA.
2003 was the last model year of the original 4R70W hardware before Ford's 2004 ring gear redesign, which makes a used 2003 gearset a good match for owners keeping one of these units on the road. If your 2003 F-150, Expedition, E-Series van, V6 Mustang, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Marauder or Town Car has started to whine with road speed, lost a gear, or shed steel into the pan, this used OEM 4R70W planetary is listed for that year.
Every 4R70W ratio comes out of one compound gearset. The forward sun gear drives the short pinions, the reverse sun gear drives the long pinions, both sets ride in a single carrier, and the ring gear around them turns the output shaft. Depending on which clutch or band is applied, that one assembly delivers 2.84 first, 1.55 second, a locked 1.00 third, a 0.70 overdrive and 2.32 Reverse. On a 2003 5.4L truck or a high-mileage Panther car, the pinion needle bearings and thrust washers take a beating, and once they wear the gears no longer run true and start to sing.
For 2003, Ford put the 4R70W in the 4.2L and 4.6L F-150, the 5.4L F-150, E-Series and Expedition, the 3.8L V6 Mustang and the Panther cars, while the Mustang GT and Mach 1 already used the 4R75W. These units still read output speed from six machined holes in the ring gear. ATRA notes the 24-lug design arrived for 2004 and the two do not interchange, so a 2003 needs 2003-style parts. ATRA also points out that 2001-2003 cases use the square-connector output speed sensor at the early length; the shorter 2004-up sensor can cause a weak signal and intermittent codes in a 2003. Ford's 2003 Crown Victoria owner guide lists MERCON V and about 13.9 quarts total capacity.
Rule out the easier faults first. Solenoid, EPC and valve body problems cause plenty of 4R70W shift complaints without any gearset damage; our 4R70W Crown Victoria shift problems guide walks through those checks, and the F-150 common problems guide covers the noise and debris faults. If the noise follows vehicle speed rather than engine rpm and the magnet has steel on it, the gearset is the likely cause. Once apart, check pinion end play and spin each pinion for roughness.
This is a used OEM part for the 2003 4R70W. Read the tag on your case to confirm it is a 4R70W and not a 4R75W, and confirm your ring gear has the six machined holes. Inspect the gearset when it arrives: spin every pinion, check for chipped teeth or heat discoloration, and check end play before installing. If you want a remanufactured part instead, the 1992-2003 remanufactured 4R70W planetary covers the same early design. Not sure what you have? Send us your year and VIN, or browse the 4R70W collection page.
| Fits | 4R70W 2003 |
| Part type | Planetary |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The 2003 Mustang GT and Mach 1 used the 4R75W, while the V6 Mustang used the 4R70W. Check the case tag and send us your VIN so we can confirm before you order.
Not as a complete swap. Ford changed the ring gear and output speed sensor for 2004, and ATRA says the early and late ring gears do not interchange. Use a 2004-up listing for later units.
Spin each pinion and feel for roughness, look for chipped teeth or blued, heat-damaged gears, and measure pinion end play. Install it with new thrust washers and bearings.
Yes. Many 4R70W shift complaints are EPC, shift solenoid or valve body faults. A gearset problem usually brings a speed-related whine and steel on the magnet.
Ford's 2003 Crown Victoria owner guide lists MERCON V and about 13.9 quarts total, less with the Police or Handling Package cooler. A pan drop only replaces part of that.
