couple transmission and gearing ?

[rockyrunner99]

I recently bought a 94 f150 with the 300-6 and an E4OD trans. A couple weeks ago I had a scare. 1st and Reverse quit working, they started working again on their own, and I since changed the trans fluid. I know you can't predict the future, but do think the transmission is going to be reliable now with new fluid. I had planned on only keeping the truck for a year or so then looking for one like it from the south that will be rust free. I am going to be building a house this summer and can not afford to have the truck break down on me then. Should I start looking now?

Also, my truck has 3.55 rear end gears, I have also owned one with 3.08 gears, and E4OD. I did some pulling with the truck with 3.08's but only about 3,000lbs. I have read several posts about gearing, but no consensus. Would you recommend occasionally pulling 5500 pounds with the 3.08 and 5 speed. I would certainly prefer that gearing for the highway! I would not be pulling in the mountains, mostly rolling hills. I found another truck I would be interested in it has 3.08s and a 5 speed. How do those compare to the E4OD. I would plan on some basic engine mods, if that makes a difference. Thanks.

I do realize it is a 17 year old truck, and there will be issues with it, the transmission should just not be one of them.

 

[SuperCab]

As far as the transmission, there's really no telling. The C6 in my '74 did just such a thing about 2 years ago, and failed shortly after. On the other hand, my Dad's '76 was crapping out for almost 5 years and still worked enough to drive around when he got rid of it.

Chevrolet trannys tend to fail 100% dead withut warning, Fords do not. If you continue to see warning signs, I'd be looking for a new truck or trans... if not, don't wory too much. Just my $0.02

As for the gears, everyone will tell you to get 4.56 gears or some chit but I'd stick with the 3.08s for occasional towing. Your gas milage will thank you the rest of the time.

 

[LEB Ben]

I can't speak much on behalf of the trans...but first I'd wanna know what kinda miles it has on it. Maybe it was a case of old broken fluid, or clogged filter...maybe it's in the starting phases of failure...I dunno.

As for gearing...go 5.13's...just kidding, that was aimed at Matt. Being a guy that likes to maximize power to the ground, I'd go lower (higher numerically). That said, if you're only going to be towing every now and then in on mild terrain and have no qualms taking forever and a day to get to speed...there's no problem going with 3.08's. Since you're planning on using a 5 spd you won't need to worry about trans hunting for gears or acting in a way that will cause excess heat and kill it.

So I say go for the 3.08's...but if you find an auto you'd like to have, I'd probably go a step or two lower in the gearing department.

 

[rockyrunner99]

For the trans in my current truck. It has 160,000 miles on it. I bought the truck in Nov, I should have changed the fluid then, but didn't The truck sat almost a year before I bought it, I think. Since this incident, I did change the fluid and filter, and seems to shift a little better now.

 

[LEB Ben]

From the limited knowledge I have about transmissions, letting a truck sit isn't the best for transmissions either because it allows seals to dry out which then allows leaks and bad shift characteristics. Also from my experiences, I usually can't keep a tranny much past 200k, especially a neglected one. That said, I wouldn't give up on it just yet, because I've had old neglected transmissions on their last legs come back to life after a fluid and filter change and live a full life. But if it were me, I'd have a builder or spare trans in waiting.