Okay, a little history first. 2001 F150 5.4 4X4 SuperCrew bought it with 94k on it and immediately had the trans fluid changed and did the pan drop/filter inspection last spring. It now has 124k on it and the trans is TOAST. Completely out of the blue too. Worked great last week, even haul a load of gravel, no problems. Now today (it's the wife's primary transportation) I get a call that she tried to back up and it sounded like she hit something and started to jerk really bad. Got her to get to a parking lot and I got to her and took it for a test spin around the lot. Immediately felt like there was no 1st and no R. Got it limped home (10miles). Attempted a hard down-shift on a residential street and it sounded like gravel in the trans. After getting home we put it in N to try to push it backwards and it felt like it was stuck in a gear. Put it in R and had to gun it to get it to move. Once it started moving it sounded BAD. Anyway, so transmissions just go out suddenly. The OD light never flashed until we got it to jump in R at home. No indication of a problem ever.

As a side note this is my 2nd 2001 SuperCrew, first was a 4.6l 2wd. It was on its third transmission when I unloaded it for the 5.4 4x4. Now this. GRRR!!

 

have you taken it to a shop yet? how do you know for sure its the tranny?

 

yea! sure its not rearend related?

 

i had one go poof on me all of a sudden on my blazer (yeah yeah not a ford) going down the road then gave up the ghost. 1st reverse planetary basket blew to pieces. so yes it is possible. i would definitely take it to a shop though to have it confirmed.

 

With the OD light blinking and the way the fluid smells I am pretty certain the transmission gave up. It corners fine which leads me to believe the rearend is okay (no hopping or grinding). And also have to give it TONS of throttle to get the transmission to engage and when it does BANG, your moving violently and quickly (reverse only). Forward gearing is as though you are pulling a semi trailer hooked to a cattle trailer towing a house. Eventually I can get up to some speed, but if I mash the gas it sounds like there are loose parts under my butt. Thanks for the thoughts though.

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes but i had the same problems with my 02 screw. At 98k miles had it completely checked out and everything was fine then at 116xxx miles out of no where i lost od 1st & reverse. Limped it home in manual 2nd and couldnt get reverse or 1st.

 

Update: Got it to the shop a little bit ago. Had it pulled into the garage, and with no Reverse I knew getting it out would be difficult. Started it up and put it in R and mashed it, tires break loose and I tap the brakes and all movement stops. Blew my only chance at backing it out After screwing around with it for an hour or more I finally get around to dropping the driveshaft and push it out, no problems. I did notice that when I started it with the driveshaft out the Check Engine light came on. Is this normal? Is it some sort of sensor telling the computer that there is no driveshaft? Anyway, got it out of there and to the shop where they will begin work Monday a.m. I think I am getting a pretty good deal; complete rebuild, 4 day turn around, 2yr - unlimited mileage warranty for ~ 1800. I think I can rule out the rear-end as being an issue as when the driveshaft was pulled it rolled real smoothly. Anyway, thanks for all the help and what-not. I will update when I get it back Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Yea if it moved Freely with out the drive shaft in it its definitely not the rear end... I wouldnt thank the Driveshaft would have anything to do with the check engine light though

 

Well, got it back this afternoon and apparently the offending piece was a torrington bearing. He said it basically disintegrated suddenly and parts went throughout the entire transmission. Got into everything, so he had to replace everything. Can't wait to get it out and test on it some. Any break in advice? Mechanic said just drive it. I asked about hauling/pulling and he said go for it. Thanks.