Preemptive transmission repair?

[Mtneer]

My wife has a 2003 F-150 Lariat with about 230,000 miles, mostly highway with a fair amount of dirt roads and city. Frequently pulls a trailer but only 2000 lbs or so. Truck is in good shape and well maintained (she bought new), really not much reason to upgrade. However, she is worried that the transmission is getting close to end of life. No major signs of problems, just getting uneasy and a breakdown in some of the remote places we go would be very bad.

How much warning to you get when a transmission is about to die? Is it cheaper to have it rebuilt ahead of time?

[ChickNorris]

http://activetransmission.com

Best in town, period. Fair & honest. Call & ask him yourself.

[Martinjmpr]

I had zero warning when the transmission went out on my Suburban. Rolled up to a stoplight in Kremmling, stopped, when the light turned green the engine just revved, no movement.

The "good" news was that I only lost gears 3 and 4. 1st and 2nd still worked so I was able to "limp" home in 2nd. Which was good because I was pulling a trailer and had the wife, the dog, the trailer and 2 kayaks, plus all our camping gear, to get home.

[henpecked]

My 2004 f 150 threw a transmission fault light in early August. I was able to drive it until October. It would kill the motor at idle at the end. They puiled the pan and there was metal flakes. I had 206,000 on it.
I had my mechanic pull the transmission and he delivered it to Zacs Transmissions in longmont.
2300 to rebuild it with a oversize tranny pan. Another 600 to take out and reinstall

[COcz]

I'm a mechanic, but not your mechanic. Those 4r70/75w are good transmissions. You said it has been well maintained, so unless there is some reason to doubt it... I would be more worried about the intake manifold/pipe under there. ACE transmission in Loveland is who I recommend. I had my 4r70w rebuilt with new tq converter at expert 4x4 in loveland for 1300 total two years ago. Has done fine since. $2900 is insane.

[Mtneer]

I'm a mechanic, but not your mechanic. Those 4r70/75w are good transmissions. You said it has been well maintained, so unless there is some reason to doubt it... I would be more worried about the intake manifold/pipe under there. ACE transmission in Loveland is who I recommend. I had my 4r70w rebuilt with new tq converter at expert 4x4 in loveland for 1300 total two years ago. Has done fine since. $2900 is insane.

Much appreciated! Please explain "intake manifold/pipe ". We want a reliable vehicle for the long term. My wife is very unimpressed with fancy technology, so new trucks have little appeal.

From what I've found on web searches, this model year/version has a good track record. After entering the specs on this truck in Kelly Blue Book, they came back with an offer of under $1,800. WTF?!!!

So to make this a 400,000 mile truck, new transmission and.....?

[Grant H.]

Much appreciated! Please explain "intake manifold/pipe ". We want a reliable vehicle for the long term. My wife is very unimpressed with fancy technology, so new trucks have little appeal.

From what I've found on web searches, this model year/version has a good track record. After entering the specs on this truck in Kelly Blue Book, they came back with an offer of under $1,800. WTF?!!!

So to make this a 400,000 mile truck, new transmission and.....?

Was that "Trade-In"?

However, that is a 16yo truck, with 230,000 miles...

I'm in the same boat as COcz, I would be more worried about other things unless your wife actually has a real reason to worry about the trans.

Yes, they can just up and fail with no warning, but that's not normal.

[DFBrews]

Timing components and spark plug holes are main issues motor wise spend money on that

[00tec]

Timing components and spark plug holes are main issues motor wise spend money on that

03 didnt have the timing problems. 04-08 is a shit show for timing guides/tensioners/phasers. Been there, done that. Mine now has phaser lockouts.

[86k10]

03 didnt have the timing problems. 04-08 is a shit show for timing guides/tensioners/phasers. Been there, done that. Mine now has phaser lockouts.

But they did have problems with plugs blowing out. Even untouched factory installed plugs blew out of 2V heads. And exhaust manifold studs breaking. Otherwise a good engine.