97 Auto Trans Failures

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Jul 21, 2019 | 12:16 PM

KelsterB

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 93

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From: Big Lake Ranch, BC

97 Auto Trans Failures

I'm so fed up with the crappy automatic transmissions that come with Ford trucks that I'm ready to give up on Ford all together and switch to GM just to get an Allison. I've had two diesel trucks with E4OD's which have been problematic. The first lasted 2 years after a rebuild, never shifted properly and eventually started slipping in 3rd. The second truck made it to about 240,000 km then started to mishift in 3rd and lasted about a month after a $3000 rebuild and won't shift into 3rd after some heavy duty towing. So what's the secret to building a bullet proof E4OD or are they just **** and I should quit burning good money on these SOB's?

Jul 21, 2019 | 12:22 PM

z31freakify

Hotshot

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 11,267

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From: Las Cruces New Mexico

800k miles on mine and still going, added a triple disc low stall TC and bigger trans cooler, but it always had an upgraded trans cooler with a dedicated fan from day 1.
Seems the trans builder didnt know how to build one properly.

You think E4OD is bad theres nothing special about the allison either and are a common failure on Chevys and are even more $$$ to repair.

Jul 21, 2019 | 05:03 PM

Hit Man X

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,497

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From: North Texas

You may as well go buy a GM as your mind is made up.

Two years on a rebuild equals a garbage rebuild. Blaming Ford for that is foolish at best.

Jul 21, 2019 | 05:45 PM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

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From: Brentwood,CA

Step one is you need a qualified and respected rebuilder and most often it's not your local transmission shop. I went with the John woods HD tow master E40D and had almost 200k on the unit when I sold the truck with no issues and that was like ten years ago. I believe back then it was almost 4k for the transmission. Any E40D rebuild under 3k should be suspicious as there is a considerable cost in good parts and the skill to build one.

Jul 21, 2019 | 07:27 PM

quesey

Laughing Gas

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,249

Likes: 10

From: oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford390gashog

Any E40D rebuild under 3k should be suspicious as there is a considerable cost in good parts and the skill to build one.

I have to disagree on that cost.lol

But I build my own. Yes there is tricks to building a good trans. I say when you spend that much that you are really just paying for the warranty.
Triple disk low stall and everything in mine was under $750.
Now for those that dont build they will have to pay for the person that does build them