Transmission rebuild
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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Transmission rebuild
Well, my transmission went out this weekend in my 2004 4x4 supercrew with 98,000 miles. I was a little disappointed due to the fact that I'm so easy on my truck. I'm not familiar with the mechanics in the area that I'm living and so I just had my truck towed to a transmission place in town. The guy confirmed it was a "parts failure" in my transmission and that I had three options. He rebuilds it with a 12 month/12K mile warranty - $1900, 2 year, 24K mile warranty - $2200, or he gets a rebuilt from Ford with a 3yr/100,000 miles warranty - $2500. I ended up going with the first option. I'm not sure if that was the right choice or not. I'm not too familiar with transmissions. He mentioned that his transmissions are a little better and that he puts a superior shift kit in them, but he may profit more from them as well. It sounds good, but I'm not sure it is. Can anyone chime in on if a superior shift kit will help/harm the transmission? I hope I made the right choice.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,490
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Limited only to those 3 options I would have definitely gone with the Ford transmission. If you can still call him back and change your decision then get on the phone as soon as you can get to it.
Don't do that shift kit thing for sure by the way. 100% bad news there. I would also not trust anyone who says those are a good idea.
Darrin
Don't do that shift kit thing for sure by the way. 100% bad news there. I would also not trust anyone who says those are a good idea.
Darrin
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Manitoba
I have personally rebuilt dozens of ford trans. EVERY trans that we rebuild has a shift kit (we use TransGo) and have NEVER had a ford trans comeback for warranty! The ford rebuilds com with all the same parts and shift timing that let you down in the first place. With a good shift kit you have WAY beter lube and quicker/firmer shifts that don't create the heat thet kills clutchs, along with updated piston seals and gaskets to fix common OEM isues.
A good trans shop should be build you a bullit proof trans with KOLEEN clutchs and heavy duty planets ect... that can stand whatever hp and abuse you can throw at it, the only limits won't be the trans, it will be your check book!!!
A good trans shop should be build you a bullit proof trans with KOLEEN clutchs and heavy duty planets ect... that can stand whatever hp and abuse you can throw at it, the only limits won't be the trans, it will be your check book!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 250
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From: Miami, FL
Transgo seem to be the most popular of the shift kits, I installed one and the shifts are much quicker (not just firmer) than stock. As for koleen steels and having high performance clutch materials like alto, it's my understanding that the current ford clutches have already improved to the point where unless you're running a significant amount of power there's really no reason to go to clutch materials like alto.
Definitely go for the Ford reman if you still can, as they're great quality, and have the best warranty you'll find really. Especially since its a Ford warranty and we know Ford isn't going to dissapear any time soon. If you can get the Ford reman and throw a shift kit into it, as that'll make it last a good long time.
- Erik
Definitely go for the Ford reman if you still can, as they're great quality, and have the best warranty you'll find really. Especially since its a Ford warranty and we know Ford isn't going to dissapear any time soon. If you can get the Ford reman and throw a shift kit into it, as that'll make it last a good long time.
- Erik
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,490
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Not that we need to have any sort of measuring contest, but I have personally rebuilt hundreds of these specific transmissions.
But, if you decide to search around a little you will see that I do indeed know what I am talking about. Particularly in the performance arena. You can pick up one of many issues of Ford specific performance magazines and get to know a little more about what I do if you like.
Every transmission I get in with a 'shift kit' installed has almost identical damage. You can call that a coincidence if you want, but we are talking reasonably big numbers here.
Of course you are free to your own opinion and can do to your own vehicle whatever you like. I just think it prudent to provide the best and most reliable for those who can't do the work themself and have to pay for all parts of the repair. I would never do anything that is even in the least bit questionable when that is riding on the line.
Also, if you put in a shift kit one one, the Ford reman warranty is immediately and copmpletely voided.
Darrin
But, if you decide to search around a little you will see that I do indeed know what I am talking about. Particularly in the performance arena. You can pick up one of many issues of Ford specific performance magazines and get to know a little more about what I do if you like.
Every transmission I get in with a 'shift kit' installed has almost identical damage. You can call that a coincidence if you want, but we are talking reasonably big numbers here.
Of course you are free to your own opinion and can do to your own vehicle whatever you like. I just think it prudent to provide the best and most reliable for those who can't do the work themself and have to pay for all parts of the repair. I would never do anything that is even in the least bit questionable when that is riding on the line.
Also, if you put in a shift kit one one, the Ford reman warranty is immediately and copmpletely voided.
Darrin
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 250
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From: Miami, FL
hmm, yeah. Didn't think about that, the shift kit would indeed void the warranty on the Ford reman.
Darrin, my question to you is, when you say that shift kits are a bad idea, do you mean all shift kits in general? I can understand cheap off brand shift kits, but I've always read that a good shift kit like a trans-go is an improvement, and will prevent failures, not cause them. For example, I have nothing but good things to say about the trans-go I recently installed in my 4r70w.
- Erik
Darrin, my question to you is, when you say that shift kits are a bad idea, do you mean all shift kits in general? I can understand cheap off brand shift kits, but I've always read that a good shift kit like a trans-go is an improvement, and will prevent failures, not cause them. For example, I have nothing but good things to say about the trans-go I recently installed in my 4r70w.
- Erik
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 18
From: Indianapolis, IN
Thing is that many of the shift kits that are out there were designed around the AODE transmission and they haven't really changed them since. Putting one in a 2000 isn't the worst idea possible, but it also isn't the best choice. Some like it and have great sucess with it and some don't. On the earlier transmissions like yours though there wasn't much of a choice unless you swapped out the valve body for one from a car where you could do more with it. On the newer transmissions there is a whole lot more that one can do.
Factory Tech came out with a plate kit to address the problems on those earlier transmissions and that works fine. It's a 'one size fits all' deal though. But, it isn't bad for your transmission and is really easy to install. It's maybe my second choice for pre 2001 4R70W transmissions short of getting a complete built valve body kit like Troyer sells.
And when properly installed on one of those older transmissions, which most aren't by the way and that's the real problem, that Trans-Go kit will work fine if that's what you like. It does some stuff that I am not really... happy(?) about and certain levels force you to drill the valve body making it unable to be reversed once done. Which definitely isn't the best choice in my opinion. The product itself isn't so much the problem here. Trans-Go works hard to make sure of that. If that type of thing is what you are after and the installation is done properly then they work.
To really learn about this, read much. Definitely look beyond just one or two vehicle specific forums and investigate other platforms that used the same transmission whether it be trucks, vans or particularly the cars. Failing to do that will very much limit your information and perspective.
On what the OP needed, I still say that a Ford reman would be the best choice. On a mostly stock vehicle owned by someone who wants that warranty coverage, it's the best bet. Just know up front that you may have to use that warranty, so read the warranty carefully to see what it covers and doens't cover and know what your costs are going to be if/when you have to rely on it.
For those who are after something that costs less but has different warranty terms, there are other good choices. Perhaps even choices where a track record has been established showing that the warranty isn't even a concern because you simply won't need it. Again, read much.
Darrin
Factory Tech came out with a plate kit to address the problems on those earlier transmissions and that works fine. It's a 'one size fits all' deal though. But, it isn't bad for your transmission and is really easy to install. It's maybe my second choice for pre 2001 4R70W transmissions short of getting a complete built valve body kit like Troyer sells.
And when properly installed on one of those older transmissions, which most aren't by the way and that's the real problem, that Trans-Go kit will work fine if that's what you like. It does some stuff that I am not really... happy(?) about and certain levels force you to drill the valve body making it unable to be reversed once done. Which definitely isn't the best choice in my opinion. The product itself isn't so much the problem here. Trans-Go works hard to make sure of that. If that type of thing is what you are after and the installation is done properly then they work.
To really learn about this, read much. Definitely look beyond just one or two vehicle specific forums and investigate other platforms that used the same transmission whether it be trucks, vans or particularly the cars. Failing to do that will very much limit your information and perspective.
On what the OP needed, I still say that a Ford reman would be the best choice. On a mostly stock vehicle owned by someone who wants that warranty coverage, it's the best bet. Just know up front that you may have to use that warranty, so read the warranty carefully to see what it covers and doens't cover and know what your costs are going to be if/when you have to rely on it.
For those who are after something that costs less but has different warranty terms, there are other good choices. Perhaps even choices where a track record has been established showing that the warranty isn't even a concern because you simply won't need it. Again, read much.
Darrin