I'm looking at a pre owned 01' Excursion V10 w/3.73 gears. It has been used as a tow vehicle it's whole live (92k miles), travel trailers between #6500-#9500. The current owner is very meticules about the maintence, so trans. fluid and filter changes where regular (even kept a maintence log). Also the truck does have the stock size tires, and he also tows in OD.
I have not had a chance to physically look the truck over yet, only talked to the owner. Obvously if the fluid is dark and smells burnt I know to walk away. Let say everything is perfect on this truck and the trans fluid looks and smells okay should I have any concerns about the trans. ? I won't be using the truck as a tow vehicle on a regular basis but on occasion will be towing a #7500 toy hauler.

 

Reason I am asking because I know nothing of Ford transmissions. I'm coming from a 2nd Gen Dodge/Cummins that I had to rebuild the trans at 65k miles and I had taken care of it well. After adding some aftermarket components it was fine. It did tow quite often though.

 

With regular fluid changes you will probably be looking at clean fluid anyway. Drive it til it is hot and see if you can detect any slippage or extremly hard shifts. The internet does a good job of scaring people away from E4OD's and 4100's but in reality I have had several and never had a lick of trouble. Obviously people do but you will never find a post about how good their trans is, only when they have a problem so it seems overwhelmingly negative.
I rolled the dice on my 96 knowing it pulled a travel trailer it's whole life but I figured at 140k the trans has to have been gone through at least once. It's a gamble but well maintained I would not worry too much about it.
I also think the V-10 is a bit easier on the trans than diesels. Diesels start making torque right off the bat and most guys that have them like to use the power putting a lot of stress on the trans. My buddy has 160k on a V-10 F350 not very well maintained at all and he tows quite often, no problems yet. They are good transmissions, millions of them on the road, don't pass up a good truck for fear of something that "might" happen.

 

I had a 4R100 that pulled a 9100 pound travel trailer and when I sold the truck at 150,000 miles the only thing the trans had done was new fluid.

If you can detect slippage in the transmission the fluid won't be clear, it will be black. Slippage will destroy the fluid and the clutches in seconds.

 

Thanks for the replies. I was just curious if these transmissions had any kind of issues. If the trans was maintained as well as the rest of the truck I'm sure it will be fine.

 

I will say Mark Kovalsky knows what he is talking about when talking transmissions. He doesn't remember but told me exactly where to look for blockage and simptoms I would have if I needed new 4r100 tranny or blocked bypass tube. After 2 reputable transmission shops told me needed rebuild I purchased bypass tube and did what he said to measure flow. $140 later I was back until tranny finally did puke 65000 miles after I was told needed rebuild.
I think it's all in who drives truck and how he tows. I purchased 2 identical trucks same day hooked 6000 lb spray rigs to them before they left dealership. Always serviced tranny I only towed in OD button pushed unless I was empty and flat road. My workers were asked to drive same way. My truck 190000 miles no problems except fluid changes my other 7.3 f250 regular fluid changes lasted 78000 before tranny was toast.