Automatics die young?
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Senior User
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From: New England
Automatics die young?
My father has a 2002 F250 Super Duty with a 415 v10 and an automatic transmission.
The transmission has had it’s fluid changed regularly. It has done some towing of a fifth wheel trailer.
He just had to rebuild his transmission with only 98,000 miles on it.
His other truck is a 1995 F250 with a manual transmission and it has 320,000 miles on it
and no trouble but clutches every 100,000 to 175,000 miles.
Is it normal for Ford automatics to need rebuilding with so few miles on them?
The transmission has had it’s fluid changed regularly. It has done some towing of a fifth wheel trailer.
He just had to rebuild his transmission with only 98,000 miles on it.
His other truck is a 1995 F250 with a manual transmission and it has 320,000 miles on it
and no trouble but clutches every 100,000 to 175,000 miles.
Is it normal for Ford automatics to need rebuilding with so few miles on them?
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To rebuild that 4-speed auto in your Dad's truck that often? Yes, that is normal for that model of transmission. Banks power says they found a solution to this problem.
http://www.bankspower.com/tech_whyaddatranscommand.cfm
http://www.bankspower.com/tech_whyaddatranscommand.cfm
Last edited by DonJames; Feb 16, 2007 at 04:03 PM.
Lead Driver
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From: Albuquerque
The short answer is, "YES". However...some 4R100 trans go much longer. One of the reasons...is that FORD went with less for the gaser engines than for the diesels. Some rebuild units get the diesel internals PLUS more for a really bullitt proof unit. If your Dad did not get one of the better built rebuilds...he might be back for another tranny in the future.
Here are a few links...do some reading on the 4R100...and you will see what I mean.
http://www.brianstruckshop.com/
http://www.factorytechtransmissions.com/index.asp
http://www.jasperengines.com/index.html
biz
Here are a few links...do some reading on the 4R100...and you will see what I mean.
http://www.brianstruckshop.com/
http://www.factorytechtransmissions.com/index.asp
http://www.jasperengines.com/index.html
biz
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From: New York
Originally Posted by biz4two
The short answer is, "YES". However...some 4R100 trans go much longer. One of the reasons...is that FORD went with less for the gaser engines than for the diesels. Some rebuild units get the diesel internals PLUS more for a really bullitt proof unit. .....
biz
biz
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Originally Posted by PHWLEE
is this only something Ford can do or can you go to an aftermarket place and have it done?
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then again!
on the other side--i just got my 01 f350 back from the dealer. mine had 73k on the time card when it expired.
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From: Middleburg, FL
Check out the first link in Biz4two's post. Brian's truck shop has a great reputation and considered by many to be an expert on the 4R100 tranny. Not necessarily the cheapest route but they can build pretty much a bullet proof 4R100. This tranny wasn't known to be the stoutest of transmissions. The weak link IMO was the torque converter. It just couldn't handle the rigors/heat of towing on a regular basis. Once the converter starts to go, it contaminates the fluid which quickly leads to destruction of the rest of the tranny.
It sounds like your father has already shelled out the cash to get his tranny rebuilt. The best advice I can offer is to put a strong torque converter in it, if not already done. This will go a long way to improve the reliability of the tranny.
It sounds like your father has already shelled out the cash to get his tranny rebuilt. The best advice I can offer is to put a strong torque converter in it, if not already done. This will go a long way to improve the reliability of the tranny.
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From: Eastern Iowa
Just an FYI to anyone reading this post - I have a Brians Truck Shop tranny in my 00 F350 - like drving a caddy when it comes to shifting. It was replaced at 108K.
My 02 F350 has 140K on it on the original tranny, and I'm noticing some problems. Time to see Brians..........
My 02 F350 has 140K on it on the original tranny, and I'm noticing some problems. Time to see Brians..........
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From: New England
Thank you all for all the great responses!
Just two quick comments:
First I heard Ford has had trouble with automatics even in the “old” body style.
Second I know of a few Chevrolet owners that have had trouble with the Allison Transmission.
I think I will feel around the Chevrolet forum and see if anyone has had trouble with Allison like Ford has had trouble, I know many Dodge owners that will not buy a Dodge automatic at all!
Just two quick comments:
First I heard Ford has had trouble with automatics even in the “old” body style.
Second I know of a few Chevrolet owners that have had trouble with the Allison Transmission.
I think I will feel around the Chevrolet forum and see if anyone has had trouble with Allison like Ford has had trouble, I know many Dodge owners that will not buy a Dodge automatic at all!
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
The big 3's all have issues with the automatics. They build them cheap and put them on the road. In the past few years the trannys have been improving, such as Ford going with the 5r110 and GM using the Allison. However, the power has also been pumped up in the engines that bolt in front of them, so it's still easy to grenade the tranny.
BTW, my tranny has over 94K miles and over the past few months has been dying a slow, painful death. I'm surprised it lasted this long with the mods I have.
BTW, my tranny has over 94K miles and over the past few months has been dying a slow, painful death. I'm surprised it lasted this long with the mods I have.
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I am disappointed to have to read this info on Diesel's with A/T.
My truck is a 2001 3/4 ton XLT two wheel drive with L/Slip long bed diesel with A/T with 64,000, and I have changed the tranny oil and filter twice. I have not towed with it, but have hauled as much as 2000 lbs loads up a mountain road. The transmission is fine for now.
So on average I can expect the tranny to go out in the next 30,000 miles?
If some one could post a link to to a General forum section to ask questions and discuss mechanical stuff on F 250's please do so. Thanks
My truck is a 2001 3/4 ton XLT two wheel drive with L/Slip long bed diesel with A/T with 64,000, and I have changed the tranny oil and filter twice. I have not towed with it, but have hauled as much as 2000 lbs loads up a mountain road. The transmission is fine for now.
So on average I can expect the tranny to go out in the next 30,000 miles?
If some one could post a link to to a General forum section to ask questions and discuss mechanical stuff on F 250's please do so. Thanks
Last edited by XPS's on a XLT F 250; Feb 17, 2007 at 10:32 AM.
Post Fiend
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by greenhorne
Just wondering why you would go with a BTS trans when ATS diesel performance is in your home state of CO.