How weak are the automatics?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
How weak are the automatics?
I've had my 2000 F250 2WD 7.3L with 6 speed manual for a few years now. I tow about 10K pounds and have never had a problem with the powertrain.
I'm now looking to upgrade to an F-350 Dually so I can run a truck camper with this setup and not exceed GVWR. Unfortunately, the 6 speed duallys are hard to find. I've always avoided the Ford automatics, believing they are inefficient in general and weak in a pulling scenario.
What do you guys think? Would an automatic be okay, or should I plan on rebuilds every so often? I'm looking at a 99-02 model years...
Thanks,
HRJ
I'm now looking to upgrade to an F-350 Dually so I can run a truck camper with this setup and not exceed GVWR. Unfortunately, the 6 speed duallys are hard to find. I've always avoided the Ford automatics, believing they are inefficient in general and weak in a pulling scenario.
What do you guys think? Would an automatic be okay, or should I plan on rebuilds every so often? I'm looking at a 99-02 model years...
Thanks,
HRJ
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Avoid the 2001 models with the "mechanical diode" one-way clutch, unless it has been rebuilt/replaced. It is the weak link in those models. I wouldn't say that the 4R100 is a bad transmission, in general. I would, however, do a few upgrades; i.e. bigger trans cooler and shift kit. I would also add a trans temp gauge.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
The 4R100 has a good reputation, but John Woods or BTS have great reputations for beefing these up.
A good chip and gauges is the way I went after I burned my transmission (from inexperience) and beefed up the transmission.
A good chip and gauges is the way I went after I burned my transmission (from inexperience) and beefed up the transmission.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
From the mechanical diode standpoint, yes. It was the only model year that had them. IIRC, the '99's did not have the oil-to-water trans cooler in the lower radiator tank. The later models were equipped with both the OTW and an auxillary oil-to-air cooler.
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Avoid the 2001 models with the "mechanical diode" one-way clutch, unless it has been rebuilt/replaced. It is the weak link in those models. I wouldn't say that the 4R100 is a bad transmission, in general. I would, however, do a few upgrades; i.e. bigger trans cooler and shift kit. I would also add a trans temp gauge.
Trending Topics
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
I've had my 2000 F250 2WD 7.3L with 6 speed manual for a few years now. I tow about 10K pounds and have never had a problem with the powertrain.
I'm now looking to upgrade to an F-350 Dually so I can run a truck camper with this setup and not exceed GVWR. Unfortunately, the 6 speed duallys are hard to find. I've always avoided the Ford automatics, believing they are inefficient in general and weak in a pulling scenario.
What do you guys think? Would an automatic be okay, or should I plan on rebuilds every so often? I'm looking at a 99-02 model years... Thanks HRJ
I'm now looking to upgrade to an F-350 Dually so I can run a truck camper with this setup and not exceed GVWR. Unfortunately, the 6 speed duallys are hard to find. I've always avoided the Ford automatics, believing they are inefficient in general and weak in a pulling scenario.
What do you guys think? Would an automatic be okay, or should I plan on rebuilds every so often? I'm looking at a 99-02 model years... Thanks HRJ
I talked with a tranny tech who knows the 4r100 well and he says as long as you stay within there limits, they do great. As for mine it won't see much heavy hauling, maybe the camper and trailer with atv's on the back.
- Bill
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Mine was produced in 10/2000, so that may correct. I thought I read somewhere that there was a code on the trans tag that would indicate its presence.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
No, it was the first nine months of 2001 production. There is a tag on the driver's side of the transmission with a date code of when the trans was built. An easier way to tell is the blue data tag inside the driver's door opening. It has a month/year on it. In 2001 transmissions were installed in the truck the same day they were built at the transmission factory.
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
No, it was the first nine months of 2001 production. There is a tag on the driver's side of the transmission with a date code of when the trans was built. An easier way to tell is the blue data tag inside the driver's door opening. It has a month/year on it. In 2001 transmissions were installed in the truck the same day they were built at the transmission factory.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
Get a 6.0 tranny cooler and a BTS or JW vb and your golden. I'm at 325k on my stocker. And I make sure to run straight transmission fluid. No synthetic blend or full synthetic. It's hard on the torque converter. (this is my honest opinion, others have done it without issue)
good luck!!!
good luck!!!
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
Get a 6.0 tranny cooler and a BTS or JW vb and your golden. I'm at 325k on my stocker. And I make sure to run straight transmission fluid. No synthetic blend or full synthetic. It's hard on the torque converter. (this is my honest opinion, others have done it without issue
I would recommend full synthetic to get the longest life from the transmission. I can't imagine how it could be bad for the torque converter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
I also have my other work truck 250k, on it's 3rd ford factory tranny. My dad maintains this one and only runs ford synthetic blend. Every tranny has popped right after the warranty ran out. 37k, 143k, and 247k. Seems to me that's some great return work to design the fluid to keep it alive till out of warranty.
And the other thing is Brian @ BTS told me to not use synthetic in the stock Trannys bc of the torque converter. He seems to be a pretty shape cookie when it comes to these units.
Its quite obvious you know a ton more about the 4R than I do but this is just the info I have acquired over the last 700k miles.
If I am wrong I'm always open to admitting it.