I've been hanging out off and on here on the board for a while.
My user name actually refers to my 1973 big block corvette, not anything ford :-)

I'm planning to buy a diesel pickup soon. I'm looking at crew cab models, with a short box. I don't pull huge loads, my motorcycle trailer weighs about 4000 pounds fully loaded, and my boat is about 3500 or so. I want room for my family -- hence the crew cab.

One concern I have is the auto transmission in the Fords. I have a 91, and the E4OD only lasted about 90K miles before it lost reverse. I asked a dealer if the Powerstrokes had the same tranny, and he said they do/did. Do they make them stronger or something so they will last longer?

I'd hate to think I'd have to go get a Chebby with the Allison to have a reliable transmission. What is the general experience with Ford auto transmissions behind the powerstroke? Are there some years that are better?

Thanks,
John.

 

Well if you are in the market for a new truck, the transmission is significantly upgraded from the old E4OD. It's a five speed auto, similar sort of to the Allison. If you are in the market for a used PSD/Auto, then yeah there could be some issues just like any other used car. The 4R100 (upgraded E40D) in my 99 PSD went at 63000 with very little abuse or towing. I have learned that there are things that can be done to prevent premature wear in these trannies:

A) Use synthetic tranny fluid and change about 20-30K
B) Install some sort of secondary filter system, usually done on the transmission oil cooler return line to back up the somewhat ineffective internal factory filter.
C) Might not be a bad idea if you are going to be towing often to put on either a larger trans oil cooler, or one with a fan on it to keep temps lower--high temps is what kills these guys.
D) Keep your OD locked out if you are in the city or somewhere you're going to be shifting up into overdrive a lot, but then slowing back down shortly. Some guys have even gone so far as to rewire the OD OFF switch so that it is locked off automatically when the truck is turned on, then by pushing the switch, it UNLOCKS it--that way they arent unnecessarily going into and out of overdrive, which really heats it up and can lead to an early demise.
E)Another thing you could look into, and I have done this on my brand new tranny, is install a Diablo Sport Accumulator valve http://motorhaven.com/customer/home.php?cat=41 (38 bucks on Motorhaven.com) that firms up the shifts, stops excess slippage, and keeps the trans much cooler than the stock soft shift settings do. It took me 2 hours start to finish to put in, and I absolutely love the way it shifts now--much like a sports car, no more 2-3 shift flare and hesistancy. When it decides to shift. bang it shifts and its in gear.

I know this probably sounds like a lot, but the 38 bucks you spend on that valve, plus maybe the 100 you drop on a bigger trans cooler, then a few bucks for return line trans filter is pretty cheap insurance against replacing a 2300 dollar (+ labor) transmission down the road. The rest of the things are just things to remember to do, like locking out the OD. Sure, the Auto trans has always been the weakest link of the PSD equipped Fords, but if you take a few preventative steps like mentioned above, you should expect to get a very respectable life span from it. The Dodge trans is worse than Ford's and the Allison has had its problems too. It usually comes down to maintenance and habits while driving. With a 4000# load this tranny shouldnt pose any problems.

 

Maybe get the 6speed manual trans instead of the auto. I've had both and like the 6speed much more than auto, with the powerstroke.

 

Thanks for the comments. I understand the E4OD, I rebuilt my own ($600 for parts plus my labor -- but lots of work). I prefer the automatic, because around here, the traffic is stop and go quite a bit.

This just confirms my suspicions. It sounds like the E4OD is a pretty strong transmission though if treated properly.