140K on orig. tranny-leave alone?

[380sx]

Hello,
I just made the decision to continue driving my explorer for a few more years rather than buy a new truck. I have done a lot of web research on the Auto Trans on my 92 Explorer xlt. It seems that getting this transmission rebuilt poses somewhat of a risk in that I have heard horror stories of newly rebuilt trannies lasting only a few thousand miles before going south.

So my question...do I let this sleeping dog lie? Again, it is original...140K. Still works ok...shifts "a little soft" and occasionally likes to stick in first a bit too long when cold. It has always been maintained well.

Is 140K a ridiculously long time for one to last (I feel kind of lucky)...or can it go for much longer? I'm a little worried about getting stranded on a long trip somewhere...

Thanks for any insight.

 

[aldive]

On my equipment I live by the rule "if it ain't broke, leave it alone".

Good luck....

 

[SteveVB]

Well, if it aint broke... Im not always fond of this saying. If you have someone that you trust to rebuild it then I would say do it now while its slipping a little, pretty soon the slipping will get worse and the heat that comes from the slipping may do more damage than just getting a soft rebuild about 1000-1200 dollars. If you dont yhave a tranny guy that you like then let it explode and install a Jasper rebuild. If you plan on keeping it get a larger plate type cooler no matter what.

From all that Ive read and heard about this trans 150-175k miles with moderate use about right. I klnow a ton of people have complained about less but Ive talked to probably a half dozen trans guys and heard stories about 75k trannys and 250k trannies. Those with the larger super cooling packages (fan shroud, larger rad? larger aux trans cooler ) definately last longer.

good luck

 

[aldive]

The use of synthetic trans fluid will also vastly increase the life of an auto transmission.

Good luck.......

 

[RTStork]

My father-in-law has almost 400,000 miles on his Bronco automatic transmission, so I say if it's shifting fine and not slipping, then I'd keep using it. I think regular fluid and filter changes make a big difference in longevity.