Looks like it is time for a new trans... Which one?

[Taylor3633]

So kinda funny story: I got a call last week from my mechanic saying that my new HPOP was installed and the van was ready to pick up. Five minutes later he called me back and said that they had taken it around the block once more to make sure there were no leaks and the tranny was slipping (which prompted this post). I finally got down to pick the van up on Thursday and transfer it to the tranny shop and indeed it seemed to be riding quite rough, like really really rough. I looked down and noticed that the van was in fact in 4wd low... do you think its riding rough?!? Good news is that the tranny is fine, bad news is that my former mechanic is a moron. (He was already my former mechanic before this but I took the van back there to warranty a HPOP that was leaking from the factory)

[BroncoHauler]

I think you've got it right, the former mechanic is a moron, and good news that you're saved yourself a bunch of money. Depending on your van miles, you may want a long-term plan on swapping it anyways, but at least you have some time now.

Much better the surprise went this direction. Too many times I've had a vehicle in for one issue, only to have a second issue creep in.


Herb

[vandiesel]

I am ready to replace my HD after only 40k. I spoke with John Wood and he said he just bought 2 HD units from Ford. He opened them both and found parts with he thought was well over 300k on them. One had scotchbrite remnants in it. He said they all go throught he same place in Oklahoma and get very little new parts. I'm post warranty now and very upset that I ever got the ford knowing what I know now. Looking at having a local builder get me as close to a BTS or may just bite the bullet.

[MadScience]

If you can plan ahead, John Wood is closer to you and will build a more budget version for you, or at least he suggested that would be a good fit for my situation. BTS builds the same transmission for every application and then configures it for yours.

I ended up with a BTS due to timing, shipping to/from SF added ~ $550. Nothing about this was cheap. (Except for the schaeffer fluid, at least compared to zf8 speed fluid.)

They both have great reputations, though I personally still barely have any miles on mine. Dealing with BTS was a super pleasant experience.

It's sad that Ford it cutting corners here, but they must be considering this an end-of life platform at this point. My van is, at 17 years, older than our first classic car was when we bought it. At least this is a volume platform with a broad aftermarket.