3 days ago the tranny went out on my 99 F350 PSD. I am looking at options for replacing it, and don't want to spend the 3000+ the dealer wants for the same tranny that already blew out on me at only 62,000 miles (with no heavy loading or towing and good maintenance). I see some of these trannies on Ebay for 1000-1200 but don't know about their quality. One company is Phoenix Hardparts and another one is Transplants-Transmissions. I definitely don't want a piece of crap. Just looking for the best buy for the money. I do pull it sometimes with a 24' aluminum sotck trailer but the heaviest I will ever pull with it is less than 10,000#. Can anyone recommend some other options that will be significantly less than dealer cost that will give me as good or better transmission and a warranty? These places on Ebay offer 12-12000. I would prefer something with a firm shift and more economical shift pattern than the OE trans. The power chip helped this some but just may have led to the demise of the trans itself. Before it went, the past couple of months it was doing this thing where the speedo wouldn't work and the OD OFF button would keep blinking at me. If I shut it off and restarted it, all was fine, and it wouldn't do it again for several days. Please help,

Thanks,

Matt

 

Your OD light is blinking because the computer has stored at least one code on what it is finding wrong with it's ability to shift. You ought to either draw the codes yourself or go to an autoparts store where they can draw them. A tranny shop or a dealership will do so as well. R.A.

 

Yeah, scan it, it sounds like your VSS(Vehicle Speed Sensor) is going out. Without it, the tranny will have a hard time trying to figure out how and when to shift. It can lead to failure, but maybe it's not too late.
Jimmy

 

Thanks guys for the info. If I can just get it to a place to pull the codes...! The thing is completely out-it won't move an inch--so it probably IS too late...

I was not aware that the OD OFF would flash when something was wrong--I thought it was just some stupid Ford electrical burp.

Again, should the worst have happened (I think it did) and I need a new trans, what would be my best option for a good trans at a good price? I would rather spend the 3200 it will cost to put the dealer one in on a custom built model that is much much heavier built and won't come apart in another 62,000. Are any of these custom built trannies as good or better than OE? What does a non-ford trans do to resale value?

Thanks guys for helping me out, I just didn't feel it wise to do what the dealer told me without at least checking into some alternatives that could save me some money and maybe actually gain me some performance.

Matt

 

The tranny that you have is the strongest OD trans that Ford makes. I do think that a replacement should go farther than 62,000 miles. It seems that an electronic malfunction has caused it's demize. Now that you are aware of the flashing light thing, if it were to start doing that again, then you now know to have it checked before any real damage is done.
They say that we learn by our mistakes, I'm just sorry that it had to be a $3200 one. That really bites!!
Hopefully, what ever you decide to relace it with, will last you a lifetime.
Jimmy

 

Thanks man...

I know its the strongest they make but there are companies that also make ones like it, only HEAVIER...So that's what I am trying to determine here...Should I go that route, because I really don't want to drop that much cash...

 

You might try B&M or TCI. They may have a better built unit.
Jimmy

 

Sounds like you need a Brians Truck Shop transmission, www.brianstruckshop.com . I have heard many good coments about this transmission. Hope this helps.

 

Well I got talked into going with the Ford replacement installed and everything for $2600--I got Ford to split the labor with me at the dealer. I am going to have them use Synthetic fluid, an external in-line filter, and possibly a Power Valve if they will go along with it. Hope I did the right thing, but I need it back and couldn't spend too much time dilly dallying about it...I guess if I upgrade I can do it later, but I got cattle to move. Thanks guys!

Matt