transmission failure
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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transmission failure
I have read that the weakest link in Ford trucks is the automatic transmission.
I am relatively new to truck ownership. I bought a used 2001 F350 a little over a year ago and use it to pull a 28 ft. 5th wheel but not on a regular basis.
My truck was well cared for by its original owner and I have had no problems so far.
My question is: Are the trannys prone to failure from ordinary usage hauling loads within spec or is it when they are abused in heavy use, pull contests, etc.
I intend to maintain mine with regular service.
Do they need additional cooling for the kind of use that I am doing?
What is the nature of the failure. Instantaneous loss of power or gradual slippage?
Would a replacement be comparable to having my transmission rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder? What replacement would be recommended instead and what might it cost?
Thanks for any suggestions.
I am relatively new to truck ownership. I bought a used 2001 F350 a little over a year ago and use it to pull a 28 ft. 5th wheel but not on a regular basis.
My truck was well cared for by its original owner and I have had no problems so far.
My question is: Are the trannys prone to failure from ordinary usage hauling loads within spec or is it when they are abused in heavy use, pull contests, etc.
I intend to maintain mine with regular service.
Do they need additional cooling for the kind of use that I am doing?
What is the nature of the failure. Instantaneous loss of power or gradual slippage?
Would a replacement be comparable to having my transmission rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder? What replacement would be recommended instead and what might it cost?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,738
Likes: 2,666
From: SE Florida
If you are within the GCWR and keep up with the maintenance it should last a long time. An aftermarket trans temp gauge would be good, too. While the stock cooling is usually fine, there are some low speed conditions where you can overheat the trans, which leads to problems.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Chicago suburbs
The stock trans will hold up under normal useage. Its when all those power adders are put on is where the stock trans starts to slip and go south. Both of my stock trans just started to slip and I eventually put in a BTS Trans.
You should get a trans gauge and monitor the temps. If they rise too far, then get a cooler to bring the temps own.
You'll hear about the BTS trans if you are needing to upgrade to a more powerfull trans. It will hold up to anything you may want to do with your 01 truck.
Dave.
You should get a trans gauge and monitor the temps. If they rise too far, then get a cooler to bring the temps own.
You'll hear about the BTS trans if you are needing to upgrade to a more powerfull trans. It will hold up to anything you may want to do with your 01 truck.
Dave.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,309
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From: Plainfield, IL
My truck is stock power wise and I drive 2k to 3k miles a week. At least half of those miles are towing 10k to 15k, and my stock trans is doing great with 236k miles!! Oops, did I just jinkx myself? Nevermind what I just said.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Besides added cooling, another thing that can help extend the life of the trannies is a good quality shift kit or aftermarket accumulator valve body (BTS also sells one of those reasonably priced). I have the TransGo Tugger. It does a couple extra things that just the VB won't do, like increasing flow in the pump and added TC Lockup pressure. It's also much more of a PITA to put in, so it's up to you. Lots of guys have good luck with only the BTS VB...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Chicago suburbs
Originally Posted by ronwilll
Thanks, Guys.
I had read in many posts about the BTS trans, but didn't know if at 103k miles on the odometer I should start budgeting for a rebuild or replacement.
I had read in many posts about the BTS trans, but didn't know if at 103k miles on the odometer I should start budgeting for a rebuild or replacement.
Dave
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I think it is kind of like ball joints. Some people dont have good luck and others do. I have 160k on my pickup and tranny is original. I pull heavy loads (20,000+)occationally and lighter loads (8-10,000) alot. I actually havent serviced my tranny yet so I am pretty much counting my blessings. It did start shifting odd about 15000 miles ago, but a little lucas seems to have fixed her back up.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
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From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by ronwilll
Thanks, Guys.
I had read in many posts about the BTS trans, but didn't know if at 103k miles on the odometer I should start budgeting for a rebuild or replacement.
I had read in many posts about the BTS trans, but didn't know if at 103k miles on the odometer I should start budgeting for a rebuild or replacement.