Getting my trans rebuilt - ?'s

[AllBlackBimmer]

I've gotten good feedback on this site for numerous things, so here goes:

I am getting my transmission rebuild.... 5r55e transmission. (04 XLT 4x4 4.0 automatic, only had 68,000 miles)

1.) In-theory, if re-built "well" there long term life of a re-built trans should be no different than a new trans correct? perhaps this doesn't matter, as I may pony up $250 for a 3 yr/50,000 warranty on it...

2.) The shop doing it specializes in transmissions, and says every 2 years or 25,000 to drop the pan/replace filter/replace fluid in pan which seems like good maintenance on it... any comments to that? I think Ford recommended every 30k or so, so that shops recommendation seems to be in line and good practice regarding maintenance.

3.) I have 31" tires with 4.10 gearing... I know some rangers came with 31"s... but, would I get any benefits of auxiliary trans cooler? (I am not sure if my truck has an OEM one or not , will check when I get it back) obviously running larger tires is kind of like towing a small trailer all the time. Is running larger tires killing my transmission?

I have only owned the truck 2.5 months, and do not know the full history of the truck or service... only limited carfax info. It came with the 31" tires.

Backstory is, truck was fine for first 2 months of ownership, every now and again it would shift hard into 2ns (what ive read is "normal" for Fords)... one day in stop and go traffic O/D light was blinking and shifting very rough. Took it to a Ford dealer the next day, and they scanned it and told me there was a TSB for the shift solenoid... wanted $800 to fix. So instead I took it to a trans specialist shop, and when they dropped the pan, they found some crap in it, and recommended a full rebuild. They said they will getting a new valve body that has some updates to it that is recommended.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

I'm not too clear on your other inquiries, but , an auxiliary trans cooler is definitely better than stock and they're cheap and easy to install, I've been told "heat" is a automatic transmission's worst enemy.

 

[AllBlackBimmer]

I'm not too clear on your other inquiries, but , an auxiliary trans cooler is definitely better than stock and they're cheap and easy to install, I've been told "heat" is a automatic transmission's worst enemy.

agree... I am actually not sure if my truck has the OEM cooler or not, once I get it back I will check to see.

Trans fluid also has a operating temp, so you don't want to "too cold" either... but yes, heat=bad.

I do not tow anything with my truck, and do drive it as my winter vehicle. I live in PA. So I don't want the fluid getting too thick during the winter if I get a bigger trans cooler, but I also know running larger 31" tires does probably make my trans run a little hot...

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

If your truck has not been tampered with your transmission lines go in and out of your stock radiator.If you add a trans cooler it would be in conjunction with the stock cooler in your radiator, the way I understand , your engine temperature dictates trans temperature, the auxiliary trans cooler does not make the trans fluid cold but helps cool before returning to the trans, therefore helping it run a little cooler, also you would want to put the correct size auxiliary cooler. I'm sure your trans shop could help you with that.
My 2000 4.0 an5r55e stock tire size are about 30",[I tow quite often and installed a cooler, 170k and no issues, so far] if your not towing and running oem tire size that should not overheat the trans. all that being said an auxiliary can't/won't hurt.

 

[RonD]

Pay the $250 for the 3 year/50k warranty, assuming you will be keeping the truck for that long, rebuilds often last just over a year.

Yes, follow their maintenance recommendation and save proof of it in case warranty is needed.

Yes for the trans cooler.
Ask the shop doing the transmission what cooler they recommend and their cost of installing it, again this may come into play for extended warranty, if they install it it would be a non-issue if there is a problem.
If you think it is too expensive ask if it voids extended warranty if you install one.

 

[AllBlackBimmer]

Pay the $250 for the 3 year/50k warranty, assuming you will be keeping the truck for that long, rebuilds often last just over a year.

Yes, follow their maintenance recommendation and save proof of it in case warranty is needed.

Yes for the trans cooler.
Ask the shop doing the transmission what cooler they recommend and their cost of installing it, again this may come into play for extended warranty, if they install it it would be a non-issue if there is a problem.
If you think it is too expensive ask if it voids extended warranty if you install one.

I've read else where that rebuilt trans often fail a second time a year or so later...

why is that? is that because whatever caused it the first time, causes it the second time? maybe something is slightly out of alignment or not machined properly or something?

I plan on getting the 3yr/50k... my car is paid off in a year, so once that is paid off I will probably start to look for a different truck and trade the ranger in on that... hate to say it, but most likely a Toyota.

wont look for a truck right away, so getting the 3/50 is a good idea IMO... I was even joking to some of the guys I work with that in 2 years 11 months, Ill get rid of the ranger... ill be close to 100,000 miles about that, so probably isn't a horrible idea to move on to something else anyway.

 

[RonD]

Quote from a tech article about automatic rebuilds, this was for the A4LD but applies to all:
"First and foremost, do not let a shop do a soft parts fix only (clutches, servos, and bands). This will almost ensure that you will have another repair needed right after the 1-year warranty is out.
Other things you want to have replaced are: forward one-way clutch (always), overdrive drum (stamped tin, replace if out of round or heat damaged), pump (Ford only, rebuilds are prone to failure), and the converter (get the better converter with the improved lock-up clutch and brazed fins)."

 

[adsm08]

I wouldn't even mess around with a shop rebuild. I would get a Ford reman.

I know I am biased towards Ford parts, but there is a reason, and it isn't that I work at the dealer.

The Ford remans very rarely fail, are as good as new, and come standard with a 3 year warranty, and I think they just went to unlimited miles.

At the dealership our rebuild prices usually come in very close to the price of a reman, sometimes higher, and we can't match the Ford warranty.

If you get it rebuilt at a place like AAMCO you don't know the quality of the repair, and as Ron said they usually fail just after the warranty period.

An aux cooler is a good idea if you don't have one. It doesn't get cold enough here in PA to cause any issues from the fluid not getting warm enough. Any make sure they flush out the cooler and lines.

 

[AllBlackBimmer]

I wouldn't even mess around with a shop rebuild. I would get a Ford reman.

I know I am biased towards Ford parts, but there is a reason, and it isn't that I work at the dealer.

The Ford remans very rarely fail, are as good as new, and come standard with a 3 year warranty, and I think they just went to unlimited miles.

At the dealership our rebuild prices usually come in very close to the price of a reman, sometimes higher, and we can't match the Ford warranty.

If you get it rebuilt at a place like AAMCO you don't know the quality of the repair, and as Ron said they usually fail just after the warranty period.

An aux cooler is a good idea if you don't have one. It doesn't get cold enough here in PA to cause any issues from the fluid not getting warm enough. Any make sure they flush out the cooler and lines.

Well, too late, I got my truck back yesterday. It was not an AAMCO shop or any chain like that, it was a local ma and pa garage that specializes in transmission... with ASE technicians... been in business almost 40 years for whatever that is worth, and actually said he does many of the local Ford dealerships used vehicles (obviously that ford dealer doesn't let their customers know that, they just mark up the price)

Truck seems good... everything seems to be working OK. Obviously am only a day into though.

I got the 3 year/50,000 warranty on it for $250 which I thought was a fair price...

and quite honestly, my car is paid off in a little less than a year, so after that I will probably start to look at newer trucks and eventually trade the Ranger in on one (maybe keep the ranger for 2-2.5 years) and get rid of it. Has 68,000 miles on it now, so another 2-2.5 years Ill be getting close to 100,000 and be looking to move on from it anyway)


The TSB they found was "TSB 05-15-3" <I have a copy of it if anyone is interested in it.
And, below is a picture of everything that was "replaced" on my transmission. This is direct from my paperwork...
Actually not sure exactly what some of this stuff is... I am no transmission wiz...

[/url]transmission by AllBlackBimmer, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[OneEyedGimpyGuy]

What's with the 100000 mile issue? Its just getting broken in! I have never lost a vehicle due to mileage. Just rust and 1 tree. If you keep up with the routine stuff it will last to 300000. Unless you just want something new and shiny. Then just say, "I want something new and shiny!"

 

[AllBlackBimmer]

What's with the 100000 mile issue? Its just getting broken in! I have never lost a vehicle due to mileage. Just rust and 1 tree. If you keep up with the routine stuff it will last to 300000. Unless you just want something new and shiny. Then just say, "I want something new and shiny!"

even with good maintenance, cars historically need a lot of service/maintenance around the 100,000 mark... at which point, long term ownership comes into play. if you plan on keeping the vehicle long term (200-300k) then investing money into a car around 100,000 to keep it going is def worth it. If long term ownership is not a goal, sometimes it is not cost effective to dump money into a vehicle you are going to get rid of at say, 110,000 miles.

With that said, I just want something new and shiny. I like my ranger, 2nd one ive owned, but think I want to move on to a full size truck... at least something that can tow a car (I know, debatable with a ranger)

I'd like to get into autocross, or some type of tracking with a car, so I will eventually want a truck that can comfortably tow a car/trailer.

 

[RonD]

Yes, the 100k marker was from the 50's, 60's and 70's, and it's ingrained into us older drivers, the engine and drive train materials were not as well developed as they are now.
Better materials and knowledge have extended the expected life of engines and drive trains above 200k.
Which is why car makers offer longer warranties now.
They do it to attract buyers of course, but if it costs them too much they wouldn't offer it, lol.