2004 SD trans problems?
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
2004 SD trans problems?
I finally found a truck with what I wanted (Sd crew cab sb w/V10, auto) and am going to pick it up this week. However I was at the races today and ran into guy who has a trans shop, so I asked if he had seen any problems with the SD auto trans and he basically told me they ( 2004 SD) were a very weak trans and that he had seen many fail with 40K-50K miles, and that there were no good parts available through the aftermarket to even make it better. I have never read this before, but now I'm nervous about buying this truck. Have those of you who have an '04 seen problems with normal use? I need this truck to last and really don't want to go through the same stuff I went through with the 4L60E trans in my Suburban, which is why I'm going with a Ford. Any experiences, either good or bad would sure be welcome.
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The 4R100 may not be as durable as one of the newer TorqShift trannies, but I don't think I've ever heard of it being described as "weak."
As far as no good parts, I completely disagree with this as well. There are some very well known transmission shops that do performance builds for the 4R100. I believe some of them are set up for over 600 HP and come with an unconditional warranty.
I don't think you have much to worry about unless it was abused or neglected. How many miles are on it?
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
Thanks, you guys set my mind at ease. The truck is extremely clean, and has 76K miles of easy, around-town use accoring to the owners brother. It's also never towed much of anything, was stored inside its whole life and seems to be in like-new condition. I only tow a couple or three times a year, and even then it's a small, 18ft toyhauler, not like I'm trying to yank a 37ft 5th wheel at 75mph, so I expect an SD to LAST. Thanks again guys, Jim
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I have beat the hell out of mine and it is still going strong at 165K.
The only abuse I don't give it is shifting while rolling.
Use good fluid, I have heat baked the cheap stuff before.
I am not having that problem with the castrol I am running know.
The gearing is not the best, but it is ok.
What rear gears?
The only abuse I don't give it is shifting while rolling.
Use good fluid, I have heat baked the cheap stuff before.
I am not having that problem with the castrol I am running know.
The gearing is not the best, but it is ok.
What rear gears?
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
I don't know and the truck is in Utah (I'm in northern Ca) so I don't know if I can tell from the VIN# or not. Anyway, I booked a flight out of here on friday, so by mid-afternoon I'll own it. I kinda figured the trans shop owner was exaggerating a bit, but what can I say? He owns a trans shop, so I figured he knew more than I did, but a freind of mine was the local service writer at the Ford dealership until a year ago, and he told me the rarely saw transmission problems in the Ford diesels, and NEVER saw them in the gassers. But the trans shop guy said it was an '04-specific problem. I'm gonna gamble on it anyway, since I'm easy on my vehicles and keep up on maintenance.
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
See, that's exactly what I was thinking. I mean, I can see a modified (or even stock) diesel tear up a trans, my Dad's '01 Dodge, which he used to tow a 37ft 5th wheel, grenaded it's converter. But a stock V10? If that were the case, the '04 diesel SD owners would be all over the internet about it, yet I've read nothing. So I have to assume it'll be just fine behind a V10 with my light foot. Thanks!
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