Transmission/Tow Help

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Jun 4, 2007 | 07:43 AM

DougsV10

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Transmission/Tow Help

Just got my first Excursion. It's a 2002 with a V10 and 130000 on it. It's going to be my DD and tow rig for my Suzuki Samurai. The Suzuki weighs 2500lbs and the trailer weighs 1000lbs to 1500lbs my gear weighs 700lbs. For a total of 4200lbs to 4700lbs. My question is what kind of things should I do to the Excursion to get it ready for towing that kind of load if any.

Like a trans cooler. Things of this nature.

Also what about flushing the transmission? It had no record for being done at the dealership. Should I flush it now or leave it alone.

Jun 4, 2007 | 08:05 AM

Casey

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I'd get the trans flushed and the vehicle checked over. It shouldn't need anything else to tow that load. It already has two trans coolers, one out front and one in the radiator.

Jun 4, 2007 | 10:45 PM

DougsV10

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So do I just get it flushed out or should I get the filter changed too? I have one shop that said with the miles on it , they would pull the pan and look to see how bad the fluid looked. If the fluid looks good they would put a new filter in and flush the trans with new fluid. If the fluid looks bad they would put in the new filter and fill it back up with fluid.Then let it go till it stops pulling. They want $220.00. Shop two said to just flush it out and go. They want $110.00. How do you feel about flushing a trans with that many miles on it. Can flushing a trans with new fluid make it stop pulling?

Jun 4, 2007 | 11:36 PM

i eat hybrids

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From: Ohio

I would just get it flushed. I got mine done 2 days ago at a lube stop for $95.00. 106,000 miles.

Jun 4, 2007 | 11:49 PM

chaparro

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From: town near el paso tx.

I flush my trucks trannies every 30000 milles. No mater what happens. I do it at the ford dealer. 140 dlls. I think this is a good price it is better at the dealer than the other little crapy lier shops. To me is a peace of mind service my trucks at the dealer.

Jun 5, 2007 | 11:50 AM

nah2osurfer

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With regard to your trans. The advice that I received from the trans shop when I got mine was this. If you (or the previous owner) have been changing it regularly, then keep doing it. HOWEVER, at a certain point, if it hasn't been changed it is not advised to do the change. The reason was, with all of the cleaners that are in modern ATF it would actually clean it too much and you would notice problems soon!
You gotta be the judge on that one. Maybe you can talk to the previous owner. In case you are wondering about mine, I bought it with 183K miles on it, but the previous owner said that he was regular with his maint. including the trans and differentials. So I've been changing mine. No problems.

Hope that helps, G.
'01 PSD 4X4 Limited

Last edited by nah2osurfer; Jun 5, 2007 at 11:57 AM. Reason: clarification

Jun 5, 2007 | 12:44 PM

betontheturtle

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From: Damascus

got to go with surfer on this one, if service hasn't been done when you flush and don't change the filter you kick loose all the crap thats settled out into the nooks and crannies and that stuff finds its way into the valve body and then Major #$#^ happens!! do it right drop the pan change filter flush the system drain torque converter
new fluid etc. heard too many horror stories about flushing the short time later all hell breaks loose. my .02