Tranny Finally Gone

[Strayjj]

Ok, so I've had 97 expy since 27k miles and it has been flawless. I just turned 188k on odometer (more like actual 200k with 285/75/16 tires since ownership) and the tranny is finally dying. It won't shift into 3rd. 1st and 2nd are fine but when it goes for third it's like neutral. I can put the drive in 2 and go just fine but it'll redline before doing anything else.

Here is the deal, do I rebuild, find a used tranny, or sell the vehicle outright? How much am I looking to spend for the first 2 options?

thanks

 

[monsta]

188K is a lot of miles. How's the other parts of the truck?

You got alot of nice mods, too.

You could either get a newer year truck that all those mods can fit on or just start over.

Rebuilding your tranny can vary from 800-1200 or MORE! depending on who does it and what is actually wrong with it.

A salvage tranny would probably be your best (low $$) bet if you want ot keep the rest of the truck.

I think you'll lose more selling it with a defunct tranny versus selling it with a new (or at least operable) tranny.

Good luck!

 

[rwinch]

What, if any, maintenance has been performed on the trans?

Could this be as simple as low/bad trans fluid, and maybe a simple power flush would help with?

If the tranny is truely bad, I would think that with the truck doing as well as you say, installing a rebuilt one would be the best bet. $1500 (or so) bucks is a lot less exspensive than a new truck! For info on a rebuilt tranny, check out this website:
http://www.autoparts4ford.com/auto_transmissions/expedition_4wd-1997-transmissions---20569841.html

I would stay away from a non-rebuilt used tranny (ex. from a junk yard), just becuase you do not know how it was taken care of.

Good luck!

 

[Strayjj]

Thanks fellas,

The Ford Dealer told me it is a bad tranny and their quote was $2100 for a replacement. I said, "sit on it" and drove home in 2nd gear. I don't want to get rid of the truck so I'll have to find a local shop that can do it for a reasonable price.

 

[rwinch]

Your going to find that the rebuilt is about what I said above (see the website). Now the cost of the labor is what comes into play. Shop rates are going to be about $40-$60/hr, and I would think that 6-8 hours would be about right for a swap out. This means you could add about $240 - $480 in labor, plus another $150 or so in shop supplies (trans fluid, etc.). This would make it about $1890 to $2130 total without tax.

I would say that the Ford delaership was not out of line in their quotation.....

Lets us know what the final price/outcome.

Good Luck!

 

[3 NAILS 1 CROSS]

i personally would take a saturday and pull the tranny myself , the labor cost these days makes me sick to my stomach, in your drive way it shouldn't take more than 4 hours to drop the tranny.

"you should be a little mechanically inclined before attempting this "
good luck! i dont look forward to that day.