Medic454
New Member
- Joined
- March 5, 2016
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- BOSTON, MA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Ford Explorer XLT V6
Well, it finally caught up with me. Yesterday I lost all transmission function. No drive or reverse. 1,2,3 does not work ether of course. Sometimes it catches but then slips right out.
This isn't a primary vehicle for me -- more of a toy. When I bought the truck I had a good idea this was coming, and I got a fairly good deal on it. Also, the frame and body are solid and have minimal rust. I live in New England, so that's very important when buying a vehicle. I've had some general transmission oddities, OD light blinks, letting off gas to get from 1st to 2ed, shaky around 70, a whine like you WOULD NOT BELIEVE, OBDII DTC of P0756, which is SSB (performance solenoid shift solenoid 2 not working, hydraulic circuit not working) and DTC code P0732, (incorrect gear ratio)...
I consulted a couple knowledgeable mechanical individuals and they suggested to me that the best bet was going to be running it until it stopped running. The cost to rebuild / replace is the same ether way.
I am a fairly good shade tree mechanic but a transmission is a bit much of a job for me, so I consulted 3 independent transmission shops and got various quotes. Two shops quoted me a ridiculous ~$2600 for a rebuild, and one shop turned down the job because they don't have the specific servo rebore kit. Once I heard the prices for a rebuild, it pushed me over the edge to just going with a remanufactured transmission that comes with a warranty. I don't know how these shops can charge those prices for a rebuild when you can buy a whole remanufactured trans for $1200-1500. The shop that actually turned down the rebuild job is the one I decided to go with for the replacement, because he was the most honest and up front and gave me a good price. Until I get everything lined up I've parked the truck.
Any suggestions on the best quality remanufactured transmission to have installed? Also, would it be beneficial to have the shop service the timing while they had the transmission out because it is at the back of the motor?
In conclusion I do have one other question. At what price point is it better to part out a truck and shop for one that doesn't have inherent transmission problems? I hear that Ford corrected the two major powertrain problems by the 2005 model... with the timing now located in the front, and the transmission problems resolved? Would it be better to scrap the truck and look for an 05+ exploder? Or a V8 4.6L? I've been reading, but I'm not sure what one is a better pick if I go this route. I have new tires on the truck and a few other things that I could easily switch over to another one to save money on the deal.
This isn't a primary vehicle for me -- more of a toy. When I bought the truck I had a good idea this was coming, and I got a fairly good deal on it. Also, the frame and body are solid and have minimal rust. I live in New England, so that's very important when buying a vehicle. I've had some general transmission oddities, OD light blinks, letting off gas to get from 1st to 2ed, shaky around 70, a whine like you WOULD NOT BELIEVE, OBDII DTC of P0756, which is SSB (performance solenoid shift solenoid 2 not working, hydraulic circuit not working) and DTC code P0732, (incorrect gear ratio)...
I consulted a couple knowledgeable mechanical individuals and they suggested to me that the best bet was going to be running it until it stopped running. The cost to rebuild / replace is the same ether way.
I am a fairly good shade tree mechanic but a transmission is a bit much of a job for me, so I consulted 3 independent transmission shops and got various quotes. Two shops quoted me a ridiculous ~$2600 for a rebuild, and one shop turned down the job because they don't have the specific servo rebore kit. Once I heard the prices for a rebuild, it pushed me over the edge to just going with a remanufactured transmission that comes with a warranty. I don't know how these shops can charge those prices for a rebuild when you can buy a whole remanufactured trans for $1200-1500. The shop that actually turned down the rebuild job is the one I decided to go with for the replacement, because he was the most honest and up front and gave me a good price. Until I get everything lined up I've parked the truck.
Any suggestions on the best quality remanufactured transmission to have installed? Also, would it be beneficial to have the shop service the timing while they had the transmission out because it is at the back of the motor?
In conclusion I do have one other question. At what price point is it better to part out a truck and shop for one that doesn't have inherent transmission problems? I hear that Ford corrected the two major powertrain problems by the 2005 model... with the timing now located in the front, and the transmission problems resolved? Would it be better to scrap the truck and look for an 05+ exploder? Or a V8 4.6L? I've been reading, but I'm not sure what one is a better pick if I go this route. I have new tires on the truck and a few other things that I could easily switch over to another one to save money on the deal.
