Gearbox ZF 4HP22

The 4-speed automatic ZF 4HP22 was produced at a German company from 1980 to 2004 and was installed on many popular rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars with powerful V6 and V8 engines. This transmission is known as the automatic transmission of the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover of the first generations.

4HP family: 4HP14, 4HP16, 4HP18, 4HP20, 4HP22, 4HP24.

Specifications

Production years 1980 – 2004
Type automatic transmission
Number of gears 4
Type of drive all wheel / rear
Engine volume, l up to 4.0
Torque output, Nm up to 380
Recommended oil Dexron III
Oil capacity, liter 8.0 / 9.5
Replacing the oil every 60,000 km
Replacing the filter every 60,000 km
Gearbox lifespan, km ~400 000
Weight, kg 84

In 1980, the ZF concern introduced a new 4-speed automatic transmission with hydraulic control, which was intended for rear-wheel drive models with a longitudinal engine. In 1986, the gearbox was slightly modernized due to the appearance of an electronic control unit, and a 4HP22EH version appeared for all-wheel drive Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover. Separately, we note the 4HP22HL modification for the Porsche 911 with a rear-mounted unit.

By design, this is a classic hydromechanical automatic transmission, built according to a typical design from a Raviño dual planetary gearbox with a conventional gearbox and 7 clutch packs.

Gear ratios ZF 4HP22

Using the example of a Land Rover Discovery 1999 with a 4.0 liter engine:

Main 4.285
1st 2.479
2nd 1.479
3rd 1.000
4th 0.728
Reverse 2.086

The transmission was installed on:

  • BMW 3-Series E30, 5-Series E28, 5-Series E34, 6-Series E24, 7-Series E23, 7-Series E32;
  • Chevrolet Opala 1;
  • Jaguar XJ 4 (XJ40), XJ 5 (X300);
  • Land Rover Discovery 1 (LJ), Discovery 2 (L318), Range Rover 1 (LH), Range Rover 2 (P38A);
  • Lincoln Continental 7;
  • Lotus Excel 1 (Type 89);
  • Maserati Biturbo 1 (AM331), Quattroporte 4 (AM337);
  • Peugeot 505 I (551A), 604 I (561A);
  • Porsche 911 III (964), 911 IV (993);
  • Volvo 740 I (744), 760 I (764), 940 I (944).

Disadvantages of the ZF 4HP22 gearbox

  • The service life of this very reliable gearbox depends almost entirely on driving style. For an active owner, the torque converter locking clutch can wear out up to 200 thousand km, then vibrations appear that break the oil pump bushing and leaks begin.
  • Also, wear products of the torque converter clutch clog the solenoids and channels of the valve body, which causes delays when shifting gears, various shocks and jerks.
  • Many complaints are related to the automatic transmission going into emergency mode due to electrical failures, and the culprit is both the gear selector and the engine ECU or ABS sensors.
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