Find a Ford dealer or a specialty transmission shop that handles large vehicles. A RV service center is likely to have the least transmission competence at the highest labor rates. A decent size Ford dealer should have at least one transmission man, the
You have the choice of a rebuild of yours, or replacement with a new, remanufactured, or rebuilt transmission. A transmission shop might be inclined to rebuild yours, a dealer more likely to replace it.
Make sure the rebuild is for HD gas applications; the 4R100 transmission is built in different grades, you don't want to be putting a Crown Vic transmission in a motorhome chassis. Neither do you want a 4R100 built for the 7.3 Powerstroke, it will be strong but won't behave right for the gas engine.
I don't understand the comments about "heavy duty components that Ford didn't put in originally" as the motorhome chassis should have gotten the HD gas version as original equipment, not one of the lighter models.
If you plan to keep this RV a really long time (another 10 years, 200,000 miles?) you might consider asking about replacing it with a rebuilt transmission that uses parts well beyond the the heaviest OEM options; these are sourced from the aftermarket, ATS, Diesel Specialties or B&M, for example. Following that option, make sure that the transmission is built for heavy vehicle road use, rather than for drag racing, and is for gas, rather than diesel.
I had a Ford rebuilt put in in Florida.
My reasoning, the Ford warrenty is good anywhere, a local job, who knows?
You are probably looking at thirty five hundred to four thousand depending on the shops hourly rate.
First, sorry for your trouble. I know how you feel. We just returned from our vacation and our F53 blew a wheel seal. We discovered it yesterday, stopped at a truck repair center and was told how to nurse it to Ohio (our mid return point) We called a Ford dealer here in Akron Ohio and have an appointment for Monday for the repair. I just turned 70K on the clock of my 99 Seabreeze.
I would go the Ford route as others have stated. We had an options between RV centers or the Ford dealer, and went with the Ford dealer. Of course, we can still drive ours.
Good luck, I hope the repair goes fast and you are back on the road in no time. Try to relax and have a few adult beverages while you wait.
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tatest wrote: I don't understand the comments about "heavy duty components that Ford didn't put in originally" as the motorhome chassis should have gotten the HD gas version as original equipment, not one of the lighter models.
Better parts to replace ones that were found to be failure prone in the original design?
I too would recommend you go to a Ford dealer or independent trans shop.
You can usually separate the dealer or shop that is familiar with RV's and HD vehicles if they have a hoist capable lifting heavy vehicles. I think Ford offers a 100,000 mile warranty on their remanufactured units, the independents (ATRA) offer 36 mos. or 36,000 miles when they rebuild yours.
I would spend the time to check out the options before you have it towed somewhere. Talk to a lot of people, try a local NAPA store for a reference.
Good luck, I spent 5 days in Laurel, MT with the same problem.
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Specifically the torque converter. Ford will replace theirs with their junk. An independent shop can put on a good torque converter such as a Suncoast unit. The torque converter, along with too much heat, will kill that tranny.
Put on a gigantic cooler too.
For the OP, check the fluid in your parking brake that you mentioned seeing a leak near, otherwise, you may face yet another huge bill.
trop-a-cal wrote: Typical problem with Ford Transmissions, it's been a problem for years.
- Sounds like another Ford vs. Chevy rant without knowledge.
97 Itasca Suncruiser F-53
2006 Vantage Mobility Dodge Grand Caravan
Sounds like most of you agree the dealer is the better way to go. Ok, I can understand that opinion. But how do you get a rebuilt transmission with HD parts from a Ford dealer when it seems some of you feel the original transmission is junk?
Thanks for the comments so far. I am trying to make the best of it, Monday can't come soon enough.
If you are a member of AAA, you may want to see if they have a listing of a transmission shop that is local. I had problems with my Ford tranny 3 yrs. ago and AAA recommended a local shop that did a great job in So. Cal. Make sure you have them beef up the tranny with a shift kit and a "bullet" torque convertor and any other upgrades available. The torque convertor is a big issue with Ford trannys.
Good Luck!
cybrfalcon wrote: I am in Byron. Good Sam will only tow me to the nearest qualified service provider which happesn to be an RV dealer.
I would NEVER say an RV dealer is qualified to work on a transmission, that's a Ford or transmission shop repair. RV shops usually aren't qualified to do R&R on a trans.
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