'99 6-speed rebuild time?

[npacostone]

Lately I've been having some noise while in 5th gear. There is a 'clacking' sound when I let off the gas, or am coasting. The shop thought it was a thrust washer for 5th gear, and suggested I replace the tranny fluid, put in some conditioner and go from there.

After draining the tranny I felt around in the drain hole and found some gear teeth. I pulled a few out, took it and the fluid to my mechanic, who is now recommending pulling the tranny and sending it in for a rebuild. He is guessing total cost should be about $3000 in the worst case scenario, which I am expecting.

Right now I'm just looking for any suggestions, opinions, options, etc. regarding the rebuild. I don't know much about transmissions, so just looking for some advice. Is this an appropriate cost for a rebuild? Any recommended upgrades? My truck is pretty much stock, though I'd like to chip it someday with a little extra power, nothing extreme.

[monoloco]

Originally Posted by npacostone

Lately I've been having some noise while in 5th gear. There is a 'clacking' sound when I let off the gas, or am coasting. The shop thought it was a thrust washer for 5th gear, and suggested I replace the tranny fluid, put in some conditioner and go from there.

After draining the tranny I felt around in the drain hole and found some gear teeth. I pulled a few out, took it and the fluid to my mechanic, who is now recommending pulling the tranny and sending it in for a rebuild. He is guessing total cost should be about $3000 in the worst case scenario, which I am expecting.

Right now I'm just looking for any suggestions, opinions, options, etc. regarding the rebuild. I don't know much about transmissions, so just looking for some advice. Is this an appropriate cost for a rebuild? Any recommended upgrades? My truck is pretty much stock, though I'd like to chip it someday with a little extra power, nothing extreme.

How many miles do you have on that thing? I thought zf6's were pretty bomb proof.

[npacostone]

106,xxx on the clock, but I've only had it for about 12,xxx. I think the previous owner might have abused it a bit. It was owned by a excavating company, so I'm assuming they did a bunch of heavy towing with it.

I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't just drive it 'till the tranny falls off then get a rebuilt. Right now I'm looking at a black box that could cost me $1000 or could cost me $3000+. I dunno.

[chase27]

My 99 was kicking out of 1st and 5th and when it finally went out it locked the rear wheels and spun around in the road.

[2000 7.3 6speed]

Originally Posted by chase27

My 99 was kicking out of 1st and 5th and when it finally went out it locked the rear wheels and spun around in the road.

I bet that was a fun experience.