03 ford explorer transmission.

[uptowno]

New to this forum and what a great one it is. My 03 explorer was acting up and after doing a search I found this forum. I had my mechanic to change the transmission fluid after I was having problems with O/D light coming on and problems with the 1st and 2nd speed having problems shifting and we found pieces in the transmission pan.

after long hours of reading I found out it was the broken pieces from the band.
my explorer has 162k miles on it and I believe it is and was in good condition.
I never seen this coming meaning no signs I was driving the truck all day but when my wife took it that night to go out that's when the problems occured

I'm stuck now at a crossroad of deciding weather to have this transmission rebuilt, finding one at junk yard, or on ebay.

One reader here recommended roadmastertranz.com which I called and read some more on them and they seem to be good. $1400 that would be my best option but right now don't have $1400 for tranny then another 400 to $500 for install.

1) I wanted input for the board on what would you do. I seen some reasonable transmission on ebay from few good spots ?

2) would you trust to have someone rebuilt this transmission knowing that only the bands struts had broken.

Also I hope i'm posting this in the right section

Thanks for you feedback and your advice

 

[uptowno]

how come i haven't gotten any responses to my thread someone please give me some advice

 

[PopRichie77]

Someone mentioned a trans for around 1200 with a 12,000 mile warranty, sorry don't remember where, was in another thread. I would say get one with a warranty and get a rebuilt torque converter also, the old one may be contaminated or bad also. Be sure the cooler and lines are flushed also. From what people are saying buying one already rebuilt is cheaper than getting yours rebuilt, check around. Junk yard is a gamble and extra labor cost if the first one has to be replaced. If you know a reliable yard then it might be ok. But even if it is good at install, depending on millage and how it was treated it might not last long.

 

[jrford]

i had mine rebuilt for $1600, . . .better than new. i've read quotes range from $1500-$3200. If you go the rebuilt route ask what they plan on doing to it. They should indicate rebuilding the servo bores, Valve Body work, master kit, flush lines and cooler, warranty etc. . .You could go JY route but you might get the same problems like PopRichie77 said or who knows if lucky maybe it was already rebuilt. . .