Transmission Life?

[DroneKeeper]

What is the expect transmission life in a 05 sport trac? I know this varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends on driving habits/towing, but is there a ballpark range at which I can expect to replace it/rebuild it?

 

[Galactica]

Some stats on yours would be beneficial. Too many factors can affect the answer. A perfectly maintained 5R55E that has never towed a day in its life could easily go over 200K and may still give up the ghost at 100K. Just like any other transmission though, not maintaining them will kill them early.

 

[dbailey]

I have 270,000 miles on my OD automatic in my '03 ST 4x4. Never had a problem. Now watch the flipping thing crap on itself for saying that!

 

[DroneKeeper]

If I buy it I'll be the 5th owner but the first 3 only owned it for a combined mileage of 31,000 and the current owner has had it for 5 years and has brought the mileage to 89,000. He says the most towing he has done with it is dropping his boat into the lake that he leaves directly next to (50 feet away). He says he has never changed the transmission fluid since he has owned it and I'm not sure what was done previously. Nothing on the AutoCheck other than registration changes. I'm driving out to see the vehicle tomorrow and I'll be checking the tranny fluid for sure. Hopefully it won't smell burnt.

Basically I'm trying to decide how much of an issue I need/should make over haggling on the price due to the age of the transmission.

 

[dbailey]

A reman tranny if its the same one I have in my '03 will cost you in excess of $3,000 I understand.

 

[swshawaii]

If never changed at 89K you're really borderline whether to do a pan drop and filter change, or a complete exchange including a new filter. Absolutely necessary to carefully inspect the existing fluid visually, and by smelling. IMO, the best exchange method is using a machine that has no internal power source, and instead uses the vehicles own transmission pump to replace the fluid. I opted for a complete fluid service at 62K. My small local Ford dealer (McKenna Ford) dropped the pan, cleaned and replaced the Motorcraft filter and gasket, then buttoned it up. Followed by connecting a BG PF5 machine to exchange 20 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon V for $199. No additives or treatments were added, and the tranny tech said the MC fluid is that good and nothing else was needed. The cost of me buying the MC fluid, filter, and gasket alone was over $150. Read the two articles linked. Disregard specific Toyota references, same principals apply. GL

http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm

http://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/what-is-a-transmission-flush/

 

[mitch9521]

just over 200k on my original trans and its still fine, though it does slip sometimes when its cold going from 2nd to 3rd but I'm not too concerned about it