Truck advice needed. What would you buy?

[HCJ]

UGH. I remember those days. I feel your pain. I spent over $10,000 in the 90's rebuilding Ford transmissions. My advice would be to go to someone like BTS, Suncoast, monsterbox, etc. and get a better transmission from them. They make custom built trannies for guys that have Ford diesels that tow heavier loads. You may not want to hear this, but stock ford transmissions were junk and that's why there's dozens of Ford aftermarket transmissions companies. Don't go to Ford, you'll get a reman that'll puke again in 25-50K miles. My mason lost his trans in his '97 F-350 at 70K. He got a reman and that took a dump at ~100K miles.

The difference with the aftermarket guys are that they can install heavy billet converters, with more clutch material, a deeper pan for more fluid capacity and a shift kit to get rid of that long slipping shift pattern.

They don't cost much more, usually about the same as a ford reman stock trans.

Once I equipped my Fords with aftermarket transmissions built by people who know the difference between a diesel truck transmission and a passenger car transmission, I had no problems. I think once you get a quality built trans, you like the way your truck drives a lot more and save a lot of money compared to buying a new (used) truck.

Interesting. I just did a search for these aftermarket transmissions and learned a lot. I never had any idea that my transmission mechanic had any other choice but to "fix" my Ford transmission. The Suncoast looks pretty promising. I will talk to my shop tomorrow and see what he has to say. He was breaking down the trans today, said he found excessive metal inside, and did not like the way the shift into third was snapping. He did not think it was electrical but a mechanical issue. I will post what he has to offer. And yes, I have two names since I post from home and office, but they are both me. I know that's a no/no but I can't seem to be able to change it. And thanks, guys, for talking me out of looking for a new truck. It does make sense to fix this one, especially considering an aftermarket transmission would probably be better than what I had. Out of curiousity, what would a remanufactured engine (7.3 powerstroke) set me back? The advice about restoring the entire drivetrain rather than buy another used truck makes sense. I guess there is no advantage doing this now as long as my engine is functional.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Fix what needs to be fixed for now. My boss had a new tranny, new interior, and a new paint job put into a Park Avenue. Less than 6 months later it was totaled and the book value was about $750. He probably spent $6000. Ouch.

Chris

 

[devildog1]

HCJ,
Diamondpilot is on the money, I'd diffidently repair your tranny first because you have many more miles of life on your diesel truck. But if your looking for a newer Ford Diesel the F350 SRW Diesel is the way to go. As Chris said, look for late 2003's or 2004's and up. The 6.0 that I have in mine works flawlessly.I just did an other western trip and logged 8600 miles in 40 days pulling my 34' Holiday Rambler 12,000 lb. RV. We crossed the Rocky's in Aspen and truck never missed a beat. Good luck on repairing your truck or finding newer one.
DevilDog

 

[Builder]

Interesting. I just did a search for these aftermarket transmissions and learned a lot. I never had any idea that my transmission mechanic had any other choice but to "fix" my Ford transmission. The Suncoast looks pretty promising. I will talk to my shop tomorrow and see what he has to say. He was breaking down the trans today, said he found excessive metal inside, and did not like the way the shift into third was snapping. He did not think it was electrical but a mechanical issue. I will post what he has to offer. And yes, I have two names since I post from home and office, but they are both me. I know that's a no/no but I can't seem to be able to change it. And thanks, guys, for talking me out of looking for a new truck. It does make sense to fix this one, especially considering an aftermarket transmission would probably be better than what I had. Out of curiousity, what would a remanufactured engine (7.3 powerstroke) set me back? The advice about restoring the entire drivetrain rather than buy another used truck makes sense. I guess there is no advantage doing this now as long as my engine is functional.

Send your core to Suncoast, BTS or another with a good reputation and just be done with it. Make sure you tell them what kind of power your truck puts out. If it's unmodified, the trans should be cheaper since the buildup of your trans should not require as much parts & labor. Unless yours is in need of a minor repair, they'll end up charging you about 80% as much for the rebuild of your E4OD as a modified trans. I usually paid ~$3,000 for a rebuild and $3,600 for a modified E4OD/4R100. If you have significant metal shavings floating around, you've probably got some serious damage.

I wouldn't touch the rest of the truck, it's too old to fix anything that doesn't require fixing. If you did have to replace the engine, 7.3's can be had for really cheap. I've seen reman 7.3's in the 3K range, but that was 5 years ago. Just keep testing/adding the coolant additive & changing the oil.

 

[HCJtractor]

Send your core to Suncoast, BTS or another with a good reputation and just be done with it. Make sure you tell them what kind of power your truck puts out. If it's unmodified, the trans should be cheaper since the buildup of your trans should not require as much parts & labor. Unless yours is in need of a minor repair, they'll end up charging you about 80% as much for the rebuild of your E4OD as a modified trans. I usually paid ~$3,000 for a rebuild and $3,600 for a modified E4OD/4R100. If you have significant metal shavings floating around, you've probably got some serious damage.

I wouldn't touch the rest of the truck, it's too old to fix anything that doesn't require fixing. If you did have to replace the engine, 7.3's can be had for really cheap. I've seen reman 7.3's in the 3K range, but that was 5 years ago. Just keep testing/adding the coolant additive & changing the oil.

I have not discussed this yet with my transmission shop, and since he has already started breaking this down, guess I am somewhat committed to letting him finish. I have been pleased with his past work (on my old FJ Landcruiser). A question---if I decide to go with a Suncoast reman, do I order that already built and then send them my old transmission as a trade? Is that how a "core" works? Or do I send them my old transmission to rebuild and repair? What is a normal turn around time for this? Sorry, I don't know much about this.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have not discussed this yet with my transmission shop, and since he has already started breaking this down, guess I am somewhat committed to letting him finish. I have been pleased with his past work (on my old FJ Landcruiser). A question---if I decide to go with a Suncoast reman, do I order that already built and then send them my old transmission as a trade? Is that how a "core" works? Or do I send them my old transmission to rebuild and repair? What is a normal turn around time for this? Sorry, I don't know much about this.

Never dealt with Sun Coast but when my Dodge need a tranny we got a Jasper. It was here in 3 days after ordered. We paid a core charge and sent the old tranny back in the crate the new one came in. When the picked up the shipping crate containing my old tranny my core charge was returned.

Chris

 

[HCJtractor]

Send your core to Suncoast, BTS or another with a good reputation and just be done with it. Make sure you tell them what kind of power your truck puts out. If it's unmodified, the trans should be cheaper since the buildup of your trans should not require as much parts & labor. Unless yours is in need of a minor repair, they'll end up charging you about 80% as much for the rebuild of your E4OD as a modified trans. I usually paid ~$3,000 for a rebuild and $3,600 for a modified E4OD/4R100. If you have significant metal shavings floating around, you've probably got some serious damage.

I wouldn't touch the rest of the truck, it's too old to fix anything that doesn't require fixing. If you did have to replace the engine, 7.3's can be had for really cheap. I've seen reman 7.3's in the 3K range, but that was 5 years ago. Just keep testing/adding the coolant additive & changing the oil.

I have not discussed this yet with my transmission shop, and since he has already started breaking this down, guess I am somewhat committed to letting him finish. I have been pleased with his past work (on my old FJ Landcruiser). A question---if I decide to go with a Suncoast reman, do I order that already built and then send them my old transmission as a trade? Is that how a "core" works? Or do I send them my old transmission to rebuild and repair? What is a normal turn around time for this? Sorry, I don't know much about this.

Also just saw a 04 350 SRW, 4x4, Lariat, crew cab. 6.0 diesel in our local paper for $17,500, 103 K miles. Is this worth looking at?

 

[devildog1]

Not sure about the price, but it sounds about right for the truck, as you know the Lariat is top of the line in Ford. I have the same 6.0 in mine, works flawlessly but have heard horror story's on earlier 6.0's

 

[Builder]

I have not discussed this yet with my transmission shop, and since he has already started breaking this down, guess I am somewhat committed to letting him finish. I have been pleased with his past work (on my old FJ Landcruiser). A question---if I decide to go with a Suncoast reman, do I order that already built and then send them my old transmission as a trade? Is that how a "core" works? Or do I send them my old transmission to rebuild and repair? What is a normal turn around time for this? Sorry, I don't know much about this.

I guess Diamond Pilot is now speaking for me.......

Here's what they do: You buy the trans and a core deposit from them. They send you their trans fully built in a trans coffin (looks like a musical instrument case). After you install their tranny in your truck, you send them your old core back to them in the coffin. Then they credit you the core charge.

I became a pro at this proceedure having done as many (removed) transmissions as I had to do.

Also just saw a 04 350 SRW, 4x4, Lariat, crew cab. 6.0 diesel in our local paper for $17,500, 103 K miles. Is this worth looking at?

That sounds high. You can get '03 & '04 6 leakers for cheaper than that. The reason is because they were so troublesome they actaully caused the downfall of a 25 year long relationship between Ford & International because of record warranty claims.

If it has had better head bolts installed, warranty work/updates & TSB's done to it, it might be worth looking at.

103K isn't much for a diesel, but the rest of the truck is no different than a gasser in terms of how long it will last.

Now that someone already has your transmission torn down on a rebuilding bench, the path of least resistance is to have him rebuild it, but you'd be better off with a "built" transmission.

Something I just thought of: One other option would be to see if your mechanic can install a billet converter to replace the cheap junk Ford stamped torque coverter and a Trans Go junior shift kit in you tranny. That would help a lot. You can get those parts from Suncoast, too. You could also get a deeper pan. You'll laugh when you see how tiny the Ford pan is compared to a deep pan.

 

[Harold_J]

That F250 is paid for, so fix the tranny and think about dropping in a rebuilt engine and a new rear end. That will reset your mileage to 0 miles on the drive train and I'll bet you'll spend a lot less than $14K going this route.

Right now I'm looking for a used F350 flatbed and GN trailer to haul my parade tractors around (tractor weight from 2500 to 4500 lb). Like you, I'll only be hauling 6 or 7 times a year.

Yesterday I looked at a 20-ft low-profile PJ tiltbed GN derated to 9950 lb GVWR (so I can pull it with an F350 without a CDL) that's really attractive.

I'm going through the same kind of puts and takes as you on that F350 I'm interested in:

- a $10-15K truck, 1999-2002, extended cab, with 150K+ miles

- or an early 1990s model with 200K+ miles for $4-5K and replace
the engine/tranny/rear end.

Hope to find something in the next month or so.

The quest continues.

Why do you need a F-350? Any newer 1/2 ton with all the goodies will do the job. My current 1/2 ton pulls 7,000# over 150 miles every week. Has 6,000 miles of which about 5,000# are towing and its given a honest 9.4 mpg pulling.
Chris

I think he wants the F-350 because he says he's looking to buy a 10K 20ft gooseneck tilt.