F350 transmission question

[cj7jeep81]

I'm looking at picking up an F350. Found a 1996 2wd, auto, 7.3 diesel. Truck has 280k miles on it, but seems to have been taken well care of (very clean inside and out). I know the engine is good for way more, but worried about the transmission as I'd rather have a manual. How long do these typically last, if its been taken care of? Should I even be worrying about this?

As for what I plan to use it for, mostly just as a truck, but will also use it to pull my trailer and my dad's tractor (combined weight of about 6k pounds). Trailer is rated to 12k, so that's probably the most this thing would ever see, so its not like I'm planning on abusing it down the road.

[gavan]

My experience with those old Powerstrokes and automatics is it has probably had 2 or 3 transmission at least already, and could go out at any time.

But that is the case for a Cummins of that vintage too.

Save up some bucks and get it built well the next time it fails (could be tomorrow, could be 5 years from now), swap it for a manual, or hold out for a manual truck.

Just the joys of an old truck.

[cj7jeep81]

Originally Posted by gavan

My experience with those old Powerstrokes and automatics is it has probably had 2 or 3 transmission at least already, and could go out at any time.

But that is the case for a Cummins of that vintage too.

Save up some bucks and get it built well the next time it fails (could be tomorrow, could be 5 years from now), swap it for a manual, or hold out for a manual truck.

Just the joys of an old truck.

since I'm not in a big hurry to get one, I'll probably just hold out for a manual. this truck won't see that much use (probably only a few thousand miles a year), so really don't want it to be a money pit.

[pcoplin]

If it hasn't been taking care of (fluids) or has been chipped/injectors without upgrades it likely won't last long. But it also may have the original trans. MIne was rebuilt at 220k.

If you are serious about keeping the auto, when it goes out have it rebuilt with good parts, get a quality torque converter (the 6.0 one is a good upgrade for around $600) and a BTS valve body and you'll have a solid transmission.

Also, the canned tunes you get for them are real hard on the trans. Get some customized tunes from Beans, Wildman, etc. and it'll last with the increased power.

[bobbed83toy]

add a larger cooler for one. on the 99-03 with a 7.3l we (my shop) when we do a trans we change out the trans coolr from the 7.3l cooler to the 6.0l cooler as its bigger and the lines are bigger. service them every 20,000 for people who tow.

[Bustin Loose]

Definitely watch those transmissions. They didn't call them E40Dead for nothing. Then Ford came back with a better idea in the 4R100 which was only slightly better depending on what you were trying to accomplish. Despite being built as a "heavy duty" transmissions they were anything but. They made better boat anchors.

The issues with them occurred even when cared for as instructed. The E40D was Ford's first foray into an electrically controlled transmission and it was just bad, bad, bad. They changed a few things in the 4R100 but for towing purposes you're all but asking for it. The only way to fix either is by having them rebuilt with the improved parts and by people who absolutely know what they are doing.

[cj7jeep81]

thanks for the replies. i took the local truck for a drive this weekend, and it seemed really solid. transmission shifted really smooth, and the truck drove really nice. going to offer the guy $4,500 and should be able to get it. i'll check the transmission fluid, and unless it looks new, change it out. will also check the cooler.

truck has not been chipped or modified (except it has a k&n air filter). otherwise bone stock, and looks very clean. we'll probably only put a few thousand miles on it a year, so if the transmission lasts another 10k, we shouldn't have to touch it for quite a few years.

[Back Woods]

Ive have seen some E4ODs take a heavy flogging behind a 7.3. High mileage truck, who knows it may have been slightly built. Many Reverse to 1st slams trying to rock the truck and heavily mistreated in general.