Are SD auto transmissions junk???
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 238
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From: SoCal
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
I am about to buy my brother's 2001 F250 CC 5.4 auto 4x4 w/15,000 miles, but I am spooked about the transmission being unreliable. And rebuilds costing $3000!!! Woah!!! This is based on reading threads on this site and dieselstop.com . Am I too paranoid?
I now own a 89 F350 CC 5.8 C6 2wd. The C6 is original with 171,000 miles. It has a shift kit and get the fluid changed every so often and it shifts like new.
I always heard that Dodge was the one premature transmission issues. Can I expect the same kind of service with 2001 trans? I tow a 22' TT several times a year.
Thanks.
I now own a 89 F350 CC 5.8 C6 2wd. The C6 is original with 171,000 miles. It has a shift kit and get the fluid changed every so often and it shifts like new.
I always heard that Dodge was the one premature transmission issues. Can I expect the same kind of service with 2001 trans? I tow a 22' TT several times a year.
Thanks.
Last edited by 89CrewCab; Jun 19, 2003 at 06:23 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 106
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From: Cameron MO
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
I think you're just getting that feeling due to the nature of the board. Lots of people come here for help when they have a problem, so you hear more about problems than you do successes. There was a thread asking how many miles people had on their V10s (in the V10 forum), and there were several well over 100k that hadn't done anything other than regular maintenance - and one over 200k.
Things happen - some people abuse their trannies (i.e. backing a 10,000# trailer up a steep incline), some just have bad luck, but I haven't seen a list of issues that would indicate an epidemic or design flaw.
Just my $.02.
Things happen - some people abuse their trannies (i.e. backing a 10,000# trailer up a steep incline), some just have bad luck, but I haven't seen a list of issues that would indicate an epidemic or design flaw.
Just my $.02.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
A lot of people buy SD to tow, and many REALLY tow. 15,000-20,000 is not unusual. A failure rate higher than a Nissan Sentra is to be expected.
A LOT of these trucks are in fleets too. You think that a fleet truck gets babied? Maintained well, yes, but treated gingerly?
Watch your tranny temp, do routine maintenance religiously, and you will get 150,000-200,000 miles like many, many people do.
A LOT of these trucks are in fleets too. You think that a fleet truck gets babied? Maintained well, yes, but treated gingerly?
Watch your tranny temp, do routine maintenance religiously, and you will get 150,000-200,000 miles like many, many people do.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,153
Likes: 1
From: Roseburg OR.
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
I think the e4od is a problem more than the new 4r100. My brother and a buddy have the auto in theirs and no problems with either. about 100k each. I got the 6 spd because the trannie went out in my 96 (auto) and I didn't know they had a different one in the sd's.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 470
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From: NE TX
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
The trans seem fine behind the smaller engines or doing lighter chores. E4OD was good except for diesel and Lightning. The ZF S6 manual isn't much stronger and probably is no longer behind the diesel (except Duramax with Castrol Syntec fluid). PowerStroke 6.0 is going to M6HD-C according to FordFleet website and a ZF 5 speed auto. If the trans and truck have been taken care of don't worry too much. It should handle normal work for a heavy duty truck and the 5.4. The ZF S6 cost $2500 at Blumenthal Manuf. in OKC and I bet they have 4R100 as cheap. Some prices for my ZF S6 was>$3100 exch. I furnished labor and $85 shipping from OKC. by the way the 6 speed only had 51K but blew a cooling line and run dry. No warning light there.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 23
From: Tennessee
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
In all my years of driving Fords I have replaced 1 transmission and it was in a 77 Cobra II Mustang with a 302 V8 at 13,000 miles. My 96 truck with a 351 had 105,000 miles on and a lot of it was put on pulling a 9,000lb load. Never had a problem with the E4OD. My Mountaineer has 85,000 miles with the R70W and has no issues after pulling a boat occasionally. My 2001 with the 4R100 had 42,000 miles on it [diesel] and a lot of them were pulling a travel trailer and had no problems. I do follow the manufacturers service intervals on changing the fluid and filter. If it has been serviced on a regular basis it should be ok. I think my own exception with Cobra II was my fault as I was 17 years old and frequented the drag strips.
Greg
Greg
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 231
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Are SD auto transmissions junk???
IMO, I couldnt stand the auto trans in my 01 F250. Im not saying it was junk, it just wasnt for me. That auto trans shifted more times than our 13 speed road rangers in our Peterbilts! Dang thing shifted up, shifted down, all over the place! Very Sloppy! Bare in mind my 01 F250 had the 5.4 in it so maybe that had alot to do with it, but i just couldnt take it anymore. That was the main reason i traded in for a 03 F250 V10, 6speed and i have never looked back. I love it! I love having the control and it really puts the fun back into driving.
I will say this, other than constant shifting, I had no problems with the auto and I cant see one reason it would not have lasted for many miles. For towing, or hauling though..manual all the way for me, its even worth the inevitable clutch job one day.
If I did go auto again, you can bet I would install one of those shift kits though
I will say this, other than constant shifting, I had no problems with the auto and I cant see one reason it would not have lasted for many miles. For towing, or hauling though..manual all the way for me, its even worth the inevitable clutch job one day.
If I did go auto again, you can bet I would install one of those shift kits though
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 470
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From: NE TX
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
The newer Ford autos have a lockup torque convertor which essentially gives you more gears. They are more expensive and more complicated. Aftermarket vendors do provide shift kits at a much lower cost than a few years ago and "chips" that can change shift points and TC lockup making your trans firmer. Otherwise the PCM runs it as Ford intended. You still have to take care of it and drive it right (such as turning off the overddrive). Even the new ZF S6 manual is supposed to have fluid changed at 50-60K miles (according to ZF on my rebuilt trans warranty).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,067
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From: Central Illinois
Are SD auto transmissions junk???
Originally posted by Tim Ervin
...You still have to take care of it and drive it right (such as turning off the overddrive)...
...You still have to take care of it and drive it right (such as turning off the overddrive)...
Only if it is frequently shifting in and out of OD!