I have a 2001 4wd 7.3 Diesel Excursion with 135k on the clock. This past weekend the torque converter took a crap on me while towing to leave me stranded. The trans had gotten hot enough to **** burnt fluid out the front seal and make a nice puddle. When I pull the trans stick the fluid on the stick is still red. I know the converter is the weak point in these but does it usually take the trans out with it when it goes? I am hoping I can just put a new converter in it and change the fluid and go but am afraid I am going to have to pull the trans back out to have it gone through. The trans has about 60k miles on it since new.

I mostly towing so I want to upgrade the converter so I don't end up back in this position. What converter is everybody using and which seems to be the best for the money? I don't need anything too crazy, just something that is going to be able to hold up to towing around a couple 1800 lb. race cars in a 32ft enclosed trailer. The truck currently does have a chip, Banks intake, wastegate and exhaust.

Thanks for the advice!

 

If you need a torque converter, then you need a tranny rebuild or replacement. Best that I have found is Suncoast. Go to Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions - Home | Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions and click on the Ford trannys. They have replacements and/or kits along with super good converters. They have shops all over the country so ask them who they use in your area. This is who I used on my 2002 7.3 when my tranny went south at 52k.

 

Why do you think your torque converter failed? You didn't tell us anything that points to a failed converter, much less something that would leave you stranded.

 

Was towing a 28' enclosed with a dragster in it, which is what the Excursion spends most of it's time doing. Cruising down the highway for about an hour with no issues until I hit some traffic and red lights. Within the first couple lights the converter was slipping really badly before it would finally start to move, once moving it would shift and all fine. While trying to find a place to get off the road, I had to come to a stop several more times. Each time it struggled more to get moving, converter kept slipping. After a few stops it wouldn't move at all, like it was in neutral. Got out and the trans was hot enough that it was pissing burnt trans fluid out of the front seal/converter on to the ground until it cooled off. Pulled the dipstick to the trans and fluid on the stick was still red. Once I had another truck one site, I unhitched the trailer and was then able to get the truck to move itself out of the road. Tried to nurse it home without the trailer and got about 20 minutes up the road before a few more red lights finished it off completely.