I have an 02 F-150 Lariat. It has a 4R70W transmission in it I believe. The fluid in it has never been changed since it left the factory. I took it in to have it done at around 50k miles and the shop I took it to refused to do it saying it would cause the transmission to fail. They told me to keep driving it until it did.

135,000 miles later, it still has not failed. The odometer is sitting at 186k and it still runs good. Over the last 100k miles, it has developed a nasty thud when it downshifts from o.d. to 3rd.

At this point I am really expecting it to fail, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do as far as preventative maintenance? Is it to late, still?

When I do have to open it up, I would like to have it modified for tighter shifts. I have been told that a rebuild on it will cost me around $2000. Should I just keep waiting for it to die, or go ahead and take it in now to have it flushed?

I don't mind doing some minor work on it, but I don't know if I would be able to do this myself. How difficult of a job would this be? I have rebuilt several engines in my time and performed work on almost every other part of a vehicle, except a transmission. I have never opened one up before. I have always been a little scared of them.

 

That's pure BS.

How does your fluid look and smell?

 

You should have found another shop. It is because you don't change your fluids, that transmissions fail.

 

The fluid smells burnt and is dark. I realize I should have had it done back then and found a different shop, but that ship has sailed. I am asking what I should do now.

 

change the fluid and see if it gets better? fluid is cheaper than a tranny.

 

When I change it, should I take it somewhere and have them flush out all the fluid? Should I go ahead and install the shift kit or J-mod at this time? When I flush it, what are the chances it will due more damage than it will fix? Should I be prepared to go ahead and have it rebuilt when this is done, or will it most likely come out ok?

Any recommendations for a decent and fairly priced transmission shop around the North Dallas / Carrollton area?

Thank you.

 

I would definitely not get a flush. This article explains how you can do a complete fluid exchange yourself, including a new filter. I would not put a shift kit or J-mod in until you have a known healthy transmission. Be prepared for a rebuild at any time now.

 

Thank you. That was the answer I was looking for. Not necessarily the one I wanted, but it was what I figured it would be.

So.. Any good shops in the Dallas area for the inevitable rebuild?