Auto transmission is DONE

[austex360]

Okay, I'm a Volkswagen guy, with my little car spiffed up to be out-doing camaros and the likes and all thats fine and dandy, but when i bought a 96 explorer for the winter (4x4, giant tires, etc), the tranny was a bit rough and it didn't really like to drive much, or get into gear properly. Today thought, I try to pull it into my driveway and it completely gives up , and the only thing truly working is park, which is no good when my truck is halfway on the road. Swapped the fluid/filter a week or so back but that brand new stuff just burnt like the old stuff in a matter of days, so now the next step is a new transmission.

To all you fellas who can point me in the right direction, i'm guessing a new transmission (rebuilt, or used one is of course a better option), is in order.. any quotes on what that'd run me? or if regular ford dealers can get this stuff in? The local one here in my tiny town said i'd be best off getting the wrecker to take one off for me and gettin the dealer to put it on for $1500 or so together, as I'm not even going to begin to get my hands dirty with this truck.

Of course , the vehicle specs, 4L v6, electronic 4x4 with OD, 4spd auto (5? i dunno)

 

[Kevlar7R]

I just had a remanufactured trans with shift kit and upgraded torque converter installed for 1500, but I got a smoking deal.

Just my opinion, but I would shy away from a used, un rebuilt trans, as you're buying a pig in a poke. No idea what that tranny is really like inside and you're going through all that labor....which you may just be doing it all over again in a few months.

 

[4rd Xplora]

I know my trans is living on borrowed time, it has to have more than 300K on it (worm gear problem for a few years, showing 244K now) but it acts like it has 30 miles on it so go figure. When it does go south, I'm going with a rebuilt/reman one with a warranty. To me a new trans in a 17 year old vehicle is money wasted and a used one could be a gamble.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

nothing wrong with used trans as long as you check the fluid to see if it smells burnt or not, and if your going to a wrecker, find a truck that is smashed. that way you know the reason it is there instead of one that had no damage.
or what i have done in the past is find a truck that someone is selling cheap that runs and drives still. if you can pick one up for around $300, you get what you need, and if you have the space, part the rest out, or send it to the crusher and possibly get all your money back.
btw, for the 95-96 explorers, the trans from a AWD aerostart will work also.

 

[austex360]

Thanks for the input guys, got some useful information & a couple more options now.. smashed truck at the wrecker or a super cheap one with the same tranny sounds good. Is there a specific tranny "model" , that has all: OD, 4x4, electric 4hi/lo .. similar to engine codes? Or will any explorer transmission bolt in and work? Is there any different options I have as to what transmission I get or do I need an exact match?

 

[shadowless127]

Just my opinion, but I would shy away from a used, un rebuilt trans, as you're buying a pig in a poke. No idea what that tranny is really like inside and you're going through all that labor....which you may just be doing it all over again in a few months.

I disagree. As long as you get a transmission from a reputable salvage yard you should be fine. I paid $400 for a transmission with 78K miles on it from a trusted yard and then paid the transmission shop $600 to install it and 20K miles later it's fine.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Thanks for the input guys, got some useful information & a couple more options now.. smashed truck at the wrecker or a super cheap one with the same tranny sounds good. Is there a specific tranny "model" , that has all: OD, 4x4, electric 4hi/lo .. similar to engine codes? Or will any explorer transmission bolt in and work? Is there any different options I have as to what transmission I get or do I need an exact match?

you need what ford calls a 4r55e

 

[Kevlar7R]

I disagree. As long as you get a transmission from a reputable salvage yard you should be fine. I paid $400 for a transmission with 78K miles on it from a trusted yard and then paid the transmission shop $600 to install it and 20K miles later it's fine.

That's the beauty of the forum. Differing opinions!

However, given that the average life of these transmissions in ideal circumstances is about 150,000 miles, you just paid $1000 bucks for a trans halfway through its life. I paid $1500 for one at the beginning of its life.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

That's the beauty of the forum. Differing opinions!

However, given that the average life of these transmissions in ideal circumstances is about 150,000 miles, you just paid $1000 bucks for a trans halfway through its life. I paid $1500 for one at the beginning of its life.

wow. glad i dont live near you. they gouge the crap out of people!