Hi I'm new to the forum but there seems to be an insane amount of good advice on here, and I've already learned a few things just browsing.

Anyway, our tranny dropped out of our '99 7.3l over last weekend while hauling hay in the field. This is our pulling truck for hauling to horse shows, so it's not a daily driver and we don't put alot of miles on it, but we do plan to keep it for the next ten years or so. We've had it about 3 years and it's got 168,000 on it.

We've pulled the transmission and are currently looking into either paying someone to rebuild it or buying another one from a salvage yard. We can't afford to put a John Wood transmission in it like I would like to so our choices seem to be either salvage or rebuild. Or possibly finding a re-con one at a decent price?

A guy in our area wants $1800 to rebuild it, but can do it in two days, which seems awful quick for that amount of $$ to me. Shopping around we've found replacement trannys for around $1000 but we are almost scared to put a salvage transmission in it for obvious reasons. Same token, if it's gonna cost $1800 to rebuild and the guy can do it in two days I'm tempted to tear into the damn thing ourselves and see what damage we can do. My husband has a fair amount of experience in mechanic work.

Any advice or thoughts welcome but please don't give me the advice that's gonna entail spending over $2000 because that's just not gonna happen...

Also, can anyone confirm that it's a standard 4R100 transmission in this truck even though it's an International 7.3L? Any other tips or things to ask when we are looking around to buy a reconditioned one, etc?

 

Yes, it is a 4r100. The problem with standard rebuilds is they usually just use all original type parts, which are the parts that broke to begin with. Some members here have done a great job of building there own trans, Mueckster ( Roland ) comes to mind, but trannys are a mystery to most. I know you said over 2000.00 won't happen, but a HD 4R100 is reasonable for what you get and has a good warranty.
Jim.

 

just the parts to build 1 right is 1500-2500.
i would be leery of a junk yard one, never know if it will work.

 

Why play Russian roulette with something as important and known to fail? The tranny on these trucks are arugably the weakest link. Going about it in the manner you've explained will surely cost more than a JW or BTS in the long run. Not sure why people look for cheaper or less expensive alternatives but then end up spending way more then they have to.

 

The HD4R100 reman from Ford might fit the bill well. Several members here have had good luck with it for the lightly above stock power level.

A rebuild is only as good as the quality parts put inside of it. That's where the bulk of the cost is coming from. A high quality torque converter could run you $1200 without ever opening up the inside of the trans...

 

Thanks for all your replies I sincerely appreciate it. I'm with you rtalich but your comment did make me LOL I gotta admit. Pretty sure no one wants to do ***** the harder and cheaper way, I'd love to do it right the first time and never have to worry about that tranny again for the next ten years but frankly I can't come up with the funds. I'd also love to just have it towed to the dealership and tell them "fix it and charge it" and not get grease on my hands or have to cuss for three hours getting the existing tranny out. But thats not an option in my world. :-) So my options are to try to find the best fix with the best prognosis within my budget. Trust me, its frustrating all the way around but I do appreciate what you're saying and I also know you're dead right.

Any tips on the best place for me to find a reman HD4R100? Thanks SO much again for your comments, I really do appreciate them!

 

Toulsey Ford, or your local Ford dealer has the HD4r100. Make sure you ask for the HD!

 

Haha. Finally someone gets my sense of humor :-). I really do hope things work out for you!!!! Sounds like the HD option would be your best bet. Although it is a bit out of your price range. Best of luck to ya.

 

What part of the world are you in? I know a few shop owners in different places, you might get lucky and be near one.

 

Off topic, but dam I Love this brother hood.

 

Flying45, I really hope you get back on here because the transmission expert is Mark, a couple posts up from here. If anyone can give you the lowdown on these trans., he's your guy. And what a generous offer he posted.

 

You guys are the bomb!! Mark Columbia, Missouri is the closest fairly large town to me. I'm in between St. Louis and Kansas City. ;-)

Also thanks a million for the tip on the HD, we've got a lead on a reman HD for around $2500. If we can get ahold of the guy and get it bought, I believe that's what we're going to do.

 

Unfortunately I don't know anyone near you. Sorry.

 

Thanks OK, I appreciate the try IMMENSELY!

 

we have a 4r100 tore apart at my buddies house, f150 had no forward gears. it was rebuilt by a shop two years ago. clutches are still good. the rear ball bearings and one of the retainer clips got chewed up. we are replacing the clutches, tc, and the hard parts that failed and got scarred from damage.

i don't know how good you are with a wrench, but these things aren't that hard to rebuild. some snap ring pliers & #30 torx. it was harder to remove the darn thing from the truck with them torsion bars and muffler shop super exhaust. (f150 turdbox) other than that-easy. i can film it if you would like. we are still waiting on parts.

we charged him $700 labor plus parts.

anyways goodluck...