Tranny took a dump! Rebuild cost?

[ExplorGM]

After 140K my tranny gave up. I was driving down the road at about 55-60mph and the tranny went out of gear. Felt like the torque converter just gave up? I was able to limp home doing about 5-10mph revving the heck out of it. When I got back on neighborhood streets I was able to drive it up to 25mph as long as I kept it under 1000 rpm. It would engage until about 1k RPM and then disengage or slip. When I got home it changed its behaviour and would lock up entirely like a manual under 1000RPM and kill the motor.
Anybody have an idea what gave?
If it is the torque converter, can I get one with a higher stall for the 95 Explorer?


What have people paid for tranny rebuilds? I've never done an auto tranny rebuild so I'll have to go to a mechanic... What's a good ballpark rebuild figure?
The last rebuilt tranny I bought was for a chevy turbo 350 and that was $600.00.


Thanks!

 

[Opera House]

I got my 92 rebuilt in 96 for $760 by a backyard trandmission guy. It lasted 14 months befor a new problem. I tried to get him to do the transmission this year and he wouldn't even talk to me. Be aware some "rebuilds" are just a repair fixing only what is needed to make it work. See my story on GE- Earth Transmissions Are Easy. a real rebuild is a lot of work and expect to pay $1600 for transmission alone and $350 for removal. In my transmission there was some major damage to hard parts but the clitches and bands were like new after 200K so you could hunt around and maybe find someone to do it for maybe $1500 total.

 

[ExplorGM]

Thanks Opera House

I am sending it to a guy that was recommended by my local mechanic. He is quoting $1700.00 for a complete rebuild including removal and towing. He thinks it might be the overdrive.

Can anybody recommend any upgrades to help it live longer with the bigger tires?
Rick

 

[Alec]

I had mine done with a 2 year warranty for $2600. My first $1600 rebuild only lasted 3 months Cottman Transmissions is where I went. Make sure your warranty is good, and that if you're ever stuck anywhere they'll take care of any towing and repair costs, even if they can't do it at their shop.

I recommend a beefed up torque converter and a BM shift kit. Also get all the updates and fill with Merc V.

 

[ahhjaws]

I got mine for $1700. I crapped out again after a couple months, then again after a couple more months. But it was under a 1 year warranty, and the guy didn't charge me the last two times for anything.

 

[ExplorGM]

Bigger tires

Thanks guys!
I was wondering how the guy would react as far as warranty when he saw the 33x12.5s? I took them off just now and put on the 285s... Not too much smaller, but at least he won't think I beat on the truck too much???
Rick

 

[Alec]

I good mechanic should stand by his work no matter what the rig. When I had my rebuild done I told the guys exactly what I do, and they said that they'll stand by their warranty no matter how hellaciously you treat the vehicle.

 

[Gopher]

Rick,
I'm in the same boat. I emailed protorque who makes torque converters and they told me that they have one that they use for explorers/rangers that race or do offroad. They wanted 395 for it. I'm looking into it.. Locally theres a place that will rebuild with a shift kit for 1200 and 2 year warranty which is not bad. Colin had his done and it cost him 2k with shift kit. No matter what i think around 1500 is the going price.

 

[asp84]

If your not going to replace the front pump, why not rebuild it yourslef with an ATSG manual?

I have learned that even though you have your transmission rebuilt at a transmission shop (ie; ford, cottman, AATCO, etc) doesn't mean SH*T. I Have had Ford rebuild my tranny twice, the last time it lasted 1,300 miles before it blew it's guts.

I now own a ATSG 4R70W manual. It doesn't seem to be that hard from the looks of........ stack out, stack in.

 

[ExplorGM]

Rebuild

ASP84- If it had broken down three months ago when I was first laid off, I would have attempted a repair myself for sure. I've done minor things on trannys, but never a rebuild so I know it would be quite a learning experience. Unfortunately, I just got a new job and have meetings lined up almost everyday this week and have to be in LA Saturday night so the timing was not good. I had actually planned to go through the whole truck this week and tune/clean/R&R top to bottom for the show and for the drive to LA, but now the truck stays home and sits in the garage for 6 weeks or so.

I like the shift kit/torque converter thought though. Having been out of work and looking at some other big bills coming up soon, I'll have to weigh the priorities when I talk to the mechanic... Hopefully some minor upgrades to the valve body, and a little stouter torque converter will do it.

The worst part of it though is that this money was for the 4.56s front and rear. Now that will have to wait which means that the RCD lift kit will be moved back a little too...
Rick

 

[simmons1]

I was rolling along at 80 mph at 2p.m. when my main seal burst, by the time I got to the tranny shop I had burnt up almost everything (tranny pan full of metal). It sounds like I got a good deal from reading the other posts, but I paid $1400 for the rebuild and I was ready to ride that next day at 9am. This was back in 98 when I had a 93 auto X.

 

[TimestandStil77]

I paid $1908 dollars to be exacty with Tax , a one year warranty or 12,000 miles, a B&M shift kit , 3800 stall speed, and performance Bands and clutches. Closter Transmission , Closter Nj

Nick

 

[ExplorGM]

Cost

Looks like its coming in at $1750.00 with a 12 month/12K warranty.
Rick

 

[go off road]

Look into a Ford reman they now have a 3 year/36month

 

[Byrd91]

I also got a Ford reman, cost me around $1400 from my mechanic I think.