looking to buy 05 Sport Trac

[mypoorbrain]

Hi,
My car was recently totalled in an accident and I am looking at a couple of 05 sport tracs. I will probably be towing a small 16' fishing boat with it but I'm slightly concerned about the transmission issues I'm seeing with these.
I have searched the forums but they haven't really told me if buying a truck with the 5R55 is a good idea or not. I do not want to get involved with rebuilding the transmission or even having to remove it for that matter. A wheel bearing I can deal with... Please help!

 

[chad551]

I have had my tranny rebuilt already, but I also abuse the heck out of my ST. I have heard that the larger capacity tranny pans help, as does a larger tranny cooler. The heat is the killer for these trannys.

 

[mypoorbrain]

I would most definitely install an oil cooler. I would probably service it and replace the pan while I'm at it as I would be towing.
The thing that concerns me is the solenoids for o/d and 4th or whatever that wear out and cause the transmission to slip. Unless I'm just reading about some isolated cases about a not-so-common problem. But it sounds to me like these things do have some issues.

 

[Clusterpup]

You know ST also are built with manual tranny as well right? I have a 5 speed and love it.

 

[mypoorbrain]

Ya. G/F wants an auto.... booo.:thumbdwn:

 

[Clusterpup]

Oh well, shes the boss....

 

[John_Rock]

Install a transmission temperature gauge so that you know when you are abusing it and can back off.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=179884

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have had my tranny rebuilt already, but I also abuse the heck out of my ST.

Nonsense, Chad. Your avatar pic doesn't show anything of the sort...

 

[mypoorbrain]

A temp gauge is a good idea. What is this I have been reading about a solenoid that has a steel pistion in an aluminum sleeve that wears out over time causing low hydraulic pressure and ultimately premature wear in the clutch packs.
Is this something that was fixed by 2k5 or something I may encounter? If the design was changed by that time then we're good. If it wasn't changed then I'm outta luck. I will be putting a lot of mileage on the vehicle...

 

[John_Rock]

I'm not sure if its been fixed by 2005. But, my truck has this problem. But it doesn't keep me from driving it. : It's called the 2-3 flare. One of these days I will get around to doing a valve body rebuild and replace the solenoids. But, my baby still chugs along at 9 years old and 90K miles. And I've been driving it with 35" tires since Spring of 2002.

 

[JohnnyO]

In my opinion they will last just fine for 99% of people as long as you flush the transmission every 30,000 miles. However, most people never think to do that. As I recall on my old '05 Trac, it didn't call for a tranny flush until 100,000 but other trucks I'd had before with the same driveline said to flush it every 30,000, as do many other Fords. I'd advise doing it anyway.
I am attempting to set a world record with my wife's car for the most miles on a Taurus transaxle without being rebuilt. 115,000 so far, no problems (knock on wood). Flushed every 25k since new.

 

[brianjwilson]

Install a larger transmission cooler and get a scangauge 2 which will read transmission temperatures. The transmission in my sport trac was normally in the 180s with the stock cooler, and down to the 160s with the aftermarket cooler. Do not get one with 3.73 gears though, the 4.10 gears will pull much better empty and pulling the trailer.

 

[JohnnyO]

Flush the tranny. Change the lube in the transfer case (it's just ATF). Change all other fluids and filters. Buy new shocks. Motor on.