tranny swap help..Allentown pa area??

[howardtm]

I almost have the funds to get a reman'd tranny from ford (not bad at 2044.00 plus tax, 3yr/100k warrantee) now comes the biggie, My beastie (E550, 20 ft box truck) has been sitting in Allentown for about 2 weeks now, shop there wants right at 1200 to swap trannys..need to save some bucks. I have most hand tools that should be needed, no tranny jack or such. Anyone in the general area, with jacks etc, and the experience, able to help me swap this out in the next week? Just a thought..lol

[firedog3_2000]

Hi there,
Well I have pull about ten trannys in my life time. All but 2 were autos. I have taken out my 4R100 once already. Not going to lie to you it is very easy! But its is very awkward and F'N heavy as hell. I did mine on the ground with out using a car lift. Gravity works its best taking out but putting it back it is hard. (just because it is heavy). If you seen any type of automatic tranny come out then this 4R100 is about the same. You can buy a tranny rebuild book for our tranny for about $30. Lots of useful info. Do not waste you money on the Chiltons book because there is no info for trannys in there. Well hope you attempt it took me and a buddy about 4 hours total taking out and install.

[howardtm]

unfortunately.. I have no "buddy" around that can help, thats what I'm hoping to find..lol. Gonna buy a tranny from Ford, not that much and can't beat the warrantee..good at any ford dealer in the country, but if I can find someone near Allentown area that has some room, a jack (or jacks) and nothing else to do on a saturday or sunday, I can save myself a decent chunk of change.

[Mark_K]

Originally Posted by firedog3_2000

F'N heavy as hell.

A 4R100 weighs 270 pounds. You better have a trans jack or several friends under there lifting it!

[cchase]

You dont need one, work smart. not hard. I did my trans with me and 1 person without a trans jack, or lift. I wont do it again, but it can be done. Try a rental place they useally have trans jacks.

[payne5757]

Ive never pulled one of these trannies but Im in the area. If you find a place, Im good with a wrench and would help if possible.

[firedog3_2000]

Ya its can be easy with one person only if you have the right tools and jacks. Like I said it is heavy, I can bench over 300 lbs and that damn tranny feels like 600 when you are under the truck! GOOD ADVISE DO NOT BUY A TRANNY FROM FORD! You will end up getting another one in a few years! Get a built one from a local shop. Might cost you about 2500-5000 depending on what you get done. If the shop is a respectable place he will offer you the same warranty as well. Some offer a nation wide warranty. That ford tranny from ford is the same stock POS! It barley can handle simple loads especially if you have some mods to your engine. I have learned the hard way! I am now on my 3rd 4R100 and I am going to have it done right so this will be my last. The Problems that the Stock 4R100 is week planetary in all gears (they explode and cause serious rebuilds), Piss poor valve bodies that leak, Too small clutch areas, Over heating due to slippage (from both the clutches and Torque Converter), Crappy Torque converters, and loss of MPG'S. Now I am only tell you this because I have been there 3 times till I got it right! If you can hold out get the quality one. BD diesel is fairly cheap about 3,000 plus 1000 for TC. But if you have a Quality Diesel or gas speed shop in you area, they are really good info for who is the best Tranny guy in town. Also get quotes from about 5 Tranny guys and have them explain to you exactly what they will do ( Do some shopping). I also advise you to upgrade your Cooler and put a external filter on your tranny ( about 200 from BD Diesel).
Some Notes while changing you tranny. The Oil will cost you about $120-140 depending on what brand and how much you use. Mine I think was 12qts at almost $9 a qt. DO NOT OVER FILL. Change your REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL! Only a few dollar investment vs. a $500 shell out if it did go out.
A MUST get a new TC. your old one is trash throw it out! Get a Billet one. Worth the money.
Well Hope I have helped you? I know the feeling!

[howardtm]

well, thats all fine and well, having a built up tranny and all, but when its a struggle just to pay the bills, and your bread and butter truck goes down, your bread and butter stops coming in. The tranny from Ford is complete, complete reman. new sensors, tc and all the upgrades Ford has done to the 4r100, and it's full of fluid(but I'd check it anyway). It has a 3 year/100k warrantee good at any Ford dealer in the country. The biggest thing right now is the cost, with tax, its 2044.60 out the door and Nick will trust me to get the core back to him. I'm easy on the rig..408k(210k I put on it myself) total miles, just recently had the brakes replaced..1st time since I bought it, I get an average of 170k on a set of rear tires. I don't "hot rod" it, and I don't have the money for a big ticket tranny. My only engine mod is the AIH delete and a dp tuner chip that I leave on the 80 econ setting and a full set of guages. If I can find some place in the allentown area where I could do the work, I'd pay the tow to take her there, line uo some kind of help and swap it myself..could save me a lot of money I don't have right now. I almost have enough scrounged up to buy the tranny, but I still owe the shop the diag. and tow charges, and if I can't get the beastie up and running soon, I'll have to rent a truck for my next run..and that ain't gonna be cheap and will take some money from my tranny fund. see the spot I'm in??

[Hank]

Just to drive home the point just made.......

My truck is in a tranny shop tonight getting rebuilt.

Factory tranny lasted 99,000 miles as far as I can tell. (I bought it used.)
First FORD remanf. tranny lasted 12,000 miles with no chip or towing.
Second FORD remanf. tranny lasted 10,000 miles (1500 miles with a chip)

DON"T BUY A FORD REMANUFACTURED TRANNY!!!!!!!!!

Get one built at a shop that knows how to build 'em for sled pullers, drag racing, off road, etc.

STAY AWAY FROM FORD RENANUFACTURED TRANNIES!