5r55e replacement

[Yeeehaw86]

ok, dumb question, and yes i did search. I've got a 5r55e and need to replace it. Can I just go to a junk yard and get any 5r55e from a 4x4 explorer, or do I need to worry about computers, and years and what not?

 

[Glacier991]

Yes, and yes. And a junkyard tranny is a poor choice for the 5R55E.

 

[Yeeehaw86]

is it really worth the $1400 or so for a rebuild then?

 

[Yeeehaw86]

is this a fair price, or is there something else I should do. this is the best price I have been quoted so far, and that's for a bench overhaul.

 

[BrooklynBay]

That is probably a soft parts rebuild. A hard parts rebuild will probably be double that.

 

[Yeeehaw86]

whoa. so that's normal? i'm not used to that. My dad and I just had 2 700r4's rebuilt for around $600 each. one was a tpi performance tranny too. I was expecting something along the lines of that price range, not anywhere up to triple it. i hate expensive parts that suck. any other options? Why is a junkyard tranny a bad way to go? If I find one with low low miles on it, it should be in decent shape right?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You don't know the condition of a junkyard transmission. The mileage isn't always an indicator. It could have been the reason why it was in the junkyard in the first place. Some people have swapped a 700R4 in there with some expensive adapters, but then you are stuck with the PCM looking for sensors, and soleniods which are no longer there (expect to see codes).

 

[Yeeehaw86]

I don't want to do any expensive, fancy swaps. i think i would have to put a different engine in it if I was going to do that much work. So I guess it's general concensus just to pay the $1400 or so for a bench overhaul? It just seems like a lot to me, esp since there are lots of places selling remans online for right around $1600-$1700. Thanks for the input

 

[Xpl0rer]

you ever thought about rolling your sleeves up and digging into the trans yourself? if that is totally outta the question it seems to me that if they are gonna charge you 1400 for a rebuild or you can buy 1 for 15-1700 (reman), i personally would choose the reman over any trans shop giving my trans an overhaul. just my 2 pennies
Best of Luck,
Troy

 

[NHale623]

is it really worth the $1400 or so for a rebuild then?

Depends on what you're getting for that money.

Are they going to pull the transmission, rebuild it, and reinstall it for that price?

When they rebuild it, what are they going to do? Will they return the transmission to an "as new" state by inspecting everything and replacing all the worn parts? Or is this just a "soft parts" rebuild as BrooklynBay mentioned?

What guarantee (time and mileage) will they give you?

 

[ExploringNC]

Swapping for a reman. with a warrenty is your best option. I didn't have the money for a reman. or to have it repaired so I got one off e-bay for $199. It was off a wrecked explorer and the guy that took it out buys ex's just to part them out on e-bay, he had a very good rating and comments. I've had it in for 4 months now and its been running with no problems.

 

[Yeeehaw86]

The rebuild would include everything. all electronics, and parts. everything worked over to be 'new'. I just think that for an extra $200-$300, I should buy a reman, and see if I can figure out how to rebuild/repair the one I have now. Then I'd have a backup if I ever broke the new one, or had to return it for some reason. How hard is doing the rebuild yourself on one of these. I did the manual trans out of my old truck, (89 f-150 4-speed), and that wasn't too bad. My dad says that we don't have the 'specialty tools' required to work on an automatic. I don't know what's involved though. If it's something that doesn't require ridiculously expensive tools, and there are directions to follow, I can do it myself.

 

[Yeeehaw86]

Depends on what you're getting for that money.

Are they going to pull the transmission, rebuild it, and reinstall it for that price?

When they rebuild it, what are they going to do? Will they return the transmission to an "as new" state by inspecting everything and replacing all the worn parts? Or is this just a "soft parts" rebuild as BrooklynBay mentioned?

What guarantee (time and mileage) will they give you?

forgot to say this in the above, but that would be a bench overhaul. I drop off the tranny to them, they rebuild it, I pick it up and install it.

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

If you are wanting to just to a swap out of your old tranny for a remanufactured one, let me suggest RoadMaster Transmisson in Illinois. They do sell on eBay. Just do a search for 5r55e and you will find them. New solonoids, reman hard parts, 2 year warranty, and all of the VB updates. All for under $1000 (pickup---add sales tax) or delivery (right now $725 tranny and $260 shipping both ways.) $350 core.

The warranty was what did it for me. I don't get the labor warranty since it was installed by me (a non-ASE cert.) but just knowing if I run into any problems for 2 years or 24k miles and I can get them taken care of is really nice.

They have a nice office staff and their techs are top-notch.

I bought a ford service CD and an ATSG manual and did the teardown/install myself. If you run into problems, there are plenty of people on here who will help you.

-Bill in PA
(not affiliated with RoadMaster Transmissions, except by previous purchase)

 

[quasarsky]

ummm btp, what happens if it breaks down? ship to them? ?

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

ummm btp, what happens if it breaks down? ship to them? ?

No, you drive it there using 1st gear...

So you ship it to them. What is the big deal there? Even with local guys you take a chance that they will be in business past their warranty. I'd say for RoadMaster's price, experience, and warranty you aren't going to find any better deal for under $1000 for an updated and remanufactured tranny.

If you want to go to AAMCO and pay 4x or 5x that for a "nationwide" warrantied tranny that is installed, be my guest. Or you can get a Ford factory tranny but that is going to cost you more than the truck is worth.

Of course, the most rewarding way would be to do the rebuild yourself. My experience level didn't meet the demands of that job (never done it before) and all of the tools can get expensive. Also, after you are done you are ultimately running on a 1st-timers rebuild. I wouldn't want that in my truck regardless if it were my own rebuild or some ASE hotshot's first "masterpiece". This was personally not something I was willing to put all that time into and see if it works in the end. Some of us have more time/money on our hands than others, so you will just have to weigh your mechanical abilities and experience and see what you come up with. I think I made the right choice considering all the factors in my case.

-Bill in PA

 

[jamesj2]

I'd like to comment on Roadmasters in Schaumburg, IL. I just drove up there from Missouri last week to pick up a 4R44E transmission for my Ranger. I must say the place was clean, organized, fast, and very friendly. I even got to see my new tranny on their brand spanking new dyno tester! The new tranny runs smooth and has a positive shift. I would definitely buy from them again.

If you do shipping it's $100 one way for business delivery, residence add another $30. So to get one shipped and send the core back it's $260. The 4R44E was $710, 2 cans of flush was $20, tax was $63.88, core was $350.

Also note you must have the tranny professionally serviced at 12 months/12,000 miles to maintain your warranty.

 

[Glacier991]

There is what is being advertised as a FORD reman on E-Bay currently for $450 plus shipping.