I have a 99 F-250 with the V-10. I just had the torque converter done, then the trans lost 4th gear and would only work in 1-3. Turns out a planetary gear is distructed. So I am getting a new trans and upgrading the trans cooler to the in the radiator type total damages should be $3390 acc'd to the dealer. Seems a little early to need a trans at 133K.

 

The 4R100 trans in the super duty is a known weak link. 133k is pretty good for the orig tranny. Some people have gone through 2 at that mileage.

Especially if you've mod'd the truck for more HP. Ditto for lots of heavy towing.

I'd suggest in addition to the improved trans cooling: Trans Fluid Temp gauge, Synthetic fluids, Change trans fluid regularly. May want to get a BTS tranny instead of a Ford Rebuild if you've got the $$ to spend.

my 2cts

DG

 

I would say that Ford transmissions are the weak link. I don't know about the new 5R110 but most other modern (not C4/C6) Ford transmissions are pretty weak.

Anyway, the best way that I have found to keep any of these transmissions alive is to have the fluid changed regularly. Don't just drop the pan, you will only get 5 - 8 quarts that way. I take mine to a shop that uses a pumping system that changes all 22 or so quarts. Do this every 15K - 30K miles depending upon your usage and you will have a trans that holds up for a while.

I used this method on an old Aerostar that lasted 260K miles on the original A4LD trans with the 4.0L engine and these Aerostar transmissions were not known for long life.

 

I had mine replaced around 45K and that was only with daily driving. No towing or abuse. It's an 01 with a V10 in front of it. I wish I had the cash to take it down to BTS. I am fighting the urge to buy an 06 just to get the better tranny.

 

how is switching to a in raditor style cooler going to help you out. if anything thats going to make it worse. just buy a big one and stick an electric fan on it.

 

Why not go with a Suncoast or BTS tranny for that much money? At least it will outlive the truck

 

It sits outside in MN and I think the in radiator cooler will actually get the tranny up to temp better, plus when towing the trans will not go much above the coolant temp. It will have an oil to coolant cooler and a oil to air cool i believe when it is done. From what I hear all the new ones have this setup. I am adding a temp gauge for radiator temp and trans temp. I need one more gauge to fill my three gauge under dash cubby gauge pod. If necessary I will add the trans cooler with electric fan, but I'll have to wait and see what the temps look like when towing this summer. I had the trans service done every 30k religiously. The trans fell apart 3,000 mi after the 130k flush and pan drop. I also have the hughes larger capacity pan.

 

This is the correct thing to do. The trans will have a more "managed" temp and also if you are backing up a large trailer the radiator will keep the trans temps in check during this period of time. The newer models are setup this way.

This is part of the reason that I suggest the flush using the pump system. Ford documented that several trans failures occur due to pan removal for service. This is because when the tech wipes the trans with any rags that have loose strands or fray that may stay in the system it will ruin the trans. The other item is that you are only changing a 1/3 of the fluid in the trans by doing a pan dump.

People will tell you that you need to change the filter, but this is simply not true. The filter in the trans is little more than a debris screen and you should be running an external filter anyway. The filter in the pan will last pretty much the life of the transmission.

Ford dealers have the tool for trans flushing which is made by Rotunda, but most independent shops and oil change places also have the same type of tool. I have mine flushed of all 22+ quarts for about $100 bucks. The pump connects to the cooler lines and exchanges all of the ATF.

Other opinions will abound I am sure, but the above flushing method to me is the most insurance that you can have for extending the life of an auto trans.

 

The tech at the dealer dropped the transfer case on a tool today, cracking the housing. Now my t case is in a million pieces. I don't have much faith in them getting that back together right.



I can't believe that a Ford reman tranny can't at least be sand blasted on the outside. My original trans looks like it has half the miles of the one they have up on my truck now!

 

I cannot find the place to screw in a temperature sender for an aftermarket trans temp gauge on a '99 4R100. I have heard that it is on the passenger side of the tranny - can anyone explain where? Is it on top of the pan bolting flange? What is the thread size of this mounting spot?

Thanks - Steve

 

I decided against putting all the gauges in since the trans is covered 3yrs 36,000 miles again. I am looking for the recorder that plugs into the OBDII plug and records vehicle info. I am guessing that the truck already has a sensor for trans temp, it just does not display the temp anywhere w/o using a scan tool. This way I could at least look back and see if I am getting the trans too hot while towing.

 

the location of port where u put he trans sender on the 4r100 is on the drivers side above the pan infront of the shift mecanism, i think its like a 10 mm wrench but not sure, its really easy to locate if you cant find it then ur out of luck cause its really easy to spot.

 

Are you certain they are installing a rebuilt unit or did they grab a used one from some boneyard. I would have them verify the source. A rebuilt tranny should look pretty clean.

 

It actually was pretty clean when I look at it now. The remans are supposed to be painted a dark green, but they do a really light and patchy green. When I first saw it the lighting wasn't the best, but now I'm sure it's a reman.

 

Does anyone know if Ford's reman trannies are rebuild by AER in Texas? That is the company who at one time rebuilt engines for Ford.