Need tranny guidance stranded in Bend

vandiesel · 07-22-2011, 10:32 PM

Coming into bend I felt a jerking and thought my trailer had an issue. It sounded like my chains from the trailer came off but turns out it is the tranny. I put it on jacks at a friends house and ran it. Sounds like cracked flex plate or torque converter fail. I'm at 110k right now. Is there something specific I should have the shop do to "bulletproof' the replacement or rebuild while I'm having this done? I am assuming that I will need to rebuild or replace. I was planning on trying carl bivens or robberson ford based on recommendations. Any guidance would be great.

Van diesel

dhally · 07-22-2011, 11:16 PM

If your van has to break down I can think of worse places to be stuck....

carringb · 07-22-2011, 11:51 PM

If its just the flex-plate, or even a toasted torque converter (and debris hasn't taken other parts out with it) then a good shop could drop, repair, and replace in a couple hours.

On that note.... The torque converter on the 7.3L is not that fantastic. Not uncommon for it to fail. There's lots of aftermarket options that would hold up much better.

Any of these vans running fully loaded can benefit from shifter firming. I use a Banks TransCommand, and have taken it even further with a Predator. If you don't have a programmer already, and shift kit installed into the valve is a good option.

larrie · 07-23-2011, 08:32 PM

I was in Bend today, 7/23, for a meeting. Saw the thread before the meeting and am just getting back to it. The people at the meeting included a mechanic friend. I asked him about transmission shops in Bend. He recommended the localy owned AAMCO shop. He knows the local owner and has good success with them. A plus is that they have a nationwide warranty.

Larrie

BMWBILO · 07-23-2011, 11:38 PM

I have a 1999 E350 with the Powerstroke. My torque convertor started making noise
at around 70000 miles. I took it to a local shop here in Boise and the guy said it was
common for the torque convertors on those rigs to be bad. While he had the tranny
out I had him go through it and beef it up. He replaced some of the parts inside that
were made of aluminum with steel parts. Basicly rebuilt the whole tranny, including
installing an oil pan from a 4x4 trans. I know this doesn't help you where you are but
if the mechanic knows what he's doing he can make the 4R100 a decent trans.

vandiesel · 07-24-2011, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the help everyone. Greggb called yesterday with good local knowledge. Based on his experience I think I will head to wright ford in Redmond. I was hoping to beef it up when this day came so now I'm rushed. I guess I'll know the story Monday when the shops open.

Van diesel.

8850 · 07-24-2011, 02:29 PM

Now that it sounds like you have a head start on the problem, I have to comment and say that I can't believe that no one made a smartass post about the thread title needing "tranny guidance"!

BMWBILO · 07-24-2011, 07:40 PM

8850...

Don't you feel a little odd being the only one here so far that
was thinking of that kind of "tranny"?

Seems a little
strange to me. Just saying.

8850 · 07-25-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWBILO

8850...

Don't you feel a little odd being the only one here so far that
was thinking of that kind of "tranny"?

Seems a little
strange to me. Just saying.

Ha! I think I'm just the only one comfortable enough admitting it!

vandiesel · 07-25-2011, 10:23 AM

After making some calls it sounds like there are a couple different options to go. Wright ford in Redmond can do the 3 year warranty stock trannies for 3600 or for 1k more they have a bullet proof hd one from ford. The hd model does carry the same warranty. The service manager definitely knows his business and has me somewhat sold on the upgrade. Has anyone done this unit in their rig? The other option is aamco who can swap torque converter and beef up existing. I haven't gotten any pricing from those guys. Thanks for any experiences.

Van diesel.