Difference in F78 and F88 tranny's

I am in the need of a tranny and wondering what the difference in the tranny's are? can i change the computer out and it work? I have the tranny F88P and found one that is F78P he is going to include computer and all.


thanks for any info.

BTW it is a 98 Windstar.

I found this on the motorcraft website.....under transmissions for 1998 3.8L windstar.
As to interchangability.....I do not know...

V6-232 3.8L
AUTO TRANS - MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED - BEFORE 9/9/97 - F78P-7000-BA ENGINEERING # - PNA-WC TAG # - AX4S TRANS

V6-232 3.8L
AUTO TRANS - MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED - FROM 9/9/97 - F88P-7000-BA ENGINEERING # - PNA-WF1 TAG # - AX4S TRANS

Print the info wiswind provided and take it to the dealer, they will be better equiped to give you the answer you're looking for.

Ford is really bad on parts matching... what works for one model year might not work for others and sometimes in the same model year they used different components. Bring the VIN number for your van and if possible the VIN number from the donor van and include any numbers you can record from both trannys. This will save you a lot of time and guesswork.

I am sorry that I am so round about.
FORD lists both of those numbers as being used for the 1998 3.8L windstar ONLY.
They provide a "BG" "buyers guide" to show all the vehicles that a given unit is used for.....and that is what is listed.

I don't know what the differences are, and I don't want to speculate.
Having your VIN in hand when getting parts is always a good idea.

By the way, those last 2 letters in the numbers are different between the 3.0L and 3.8L 1998 windstars......again....I have no idea of what the difference is.
In that case...it seems to be the same through the other years between the 3.0L and 3.8L.

I forgot to mention it is the 3.0L I am calling up my local ford dealer as I type to see what they have to say.

Thanks for the info.

dealer is saying the difference is one of them are synchronised and one of them aren't. they said so their for i would have to change engine computer and tranny computer and it prolly still would not work.

Interesting.....
I had thought that AX4S......S for synchronus
And AX4N......N for Non-synchronus.....

there ya go...! no guesswork. Sorry it didn't work, but at least now you know what you're looking for if you continue your search.

any good tips on where to get a good used F88P tranny? cheapest I have found is 600.00 with 88,000 original miles. but not really looking to put a BIG HUNK of money into this van.