New problem on the ford

[89toy]

So I have a 99.5 ford f-250 and the tranny is starting to fail.  I have the ZF 6-speed in it and 4th (not counting low range) gear will not work anymore (all it does is grind when I let off the clutch).  The truck has 212,000 but the motor still runs great.  Anybody know what could be the problem?  Think it might just be syncros?  If it is the syncros, is it better to just have the tranny rebuilt or find another and give mine as the core?  Thanks in advance guys.

[CTENG in KS]

That would require calls to local shops to figure out what the cost for a rebuild would be.  If they can do a quick rebuild for under $1000, you know where you take the tranny out and bring it to them...that would prob be your best bet.

[89toy]

that's the part that sucks, most of the guys in this little town cost way too much for their work.  I would rather just take it out myself and take it somewhere but that would be a road trip in itself.  May just have to sell off some of my stuff to afford the gas to get to a better town to do the work.  I can't take it out myself because I can't imagine how much the thing weights and all I have is a dirt driveway.

[Tice]

We just did a Ford trans from a super duty at the shop I work at, cost the guy nearly $3,000.  Granted it needed alot of work, he lost 2 gears and the input shaft was toasted. He probably could have got a used one for far less, but wanted this one rebuilt.

[89toy]

Anybody recommend any certain company for a rebuilt ZF 6-speed or anywhere that I could get a used tranny with less than 100k on it?  I have seen a few rebuilt ones that are around 1,800 - 2,000.  I think I will give my buddy some cash to use his shop with the right stuff to do the work.  I can't afford 3,000 and don't care if I have the same tranny or not, I just need it to work in all gears and tow my crap around.  This one has had a slight problem since I bought the truck...feels like (when I am on the highway and I let off the gas quickly) there is a slight jerk when I let off the pedal...kinda like something in the tranny is bouncing between worn out splines (does it through all the gears)...so pretty much I definitly need another tranny.

So another question...I have the 7.3 and like I said it has 212,000 miles and still runs REALLY freakin good.  What is ya'lls opinion on replacing the tranny and clutch...good idea or bad.
Thanks again guys!

[brc]

Try Foster Auto Parts in Portland last time I was looking for ford stuff they had loads of used engines and trannies for sale.

I bought a complete 3RZ with everyting wiring wise and computer for 1100.00 w 54K on it not to bad of price.

[89toy]

Thanks man, I'm probably going to give them a hollar tomorrow and see what they have and what they want for it.  Time to shop around.

[89toy]

Anybody know what a rebuilt ZF 6-speed usually goes for?  I found one for 1,750.  Looks like with new clutch and everything I am looking at spending 2,400!!!!  Anybody have any idea what the normal price is for these trannies???

[89toy]

Ok, finally got a hold of the guy with the tranny for 1,750 and talked to him about my no $$ dilemma...he said he can do 1,500 for the tranny.  Bought a Luk solid flywheel conversion kit and looks like for the clutch and the tranny I will just be under 2,000...I thought that was pretty good for tranny, clutch, and new flywheel.  Just lettin' everybody know. 

Forgot to say that 3rd gear is COMPLETELY gone now too; all it likes to do is grind.

[Cheesemaker]

I wouldn't own a ford.  The parts all seem way overpriced vs gm/dodge!

A buddy had nothing but problems with his tranny/tcase in his ford from day one!  He had both tranny/tcase replaced three times within the first 20,000 miles.  Two of them all he did was put it into 4lo!  BAM!!  We had been putting in and out of 2wd and 4wd all day while hunting, and then the next thing we knew we were walking out of the woods at midnight!  Then after he finally got a good tranny/tcase he had nothing but shifting problems until he got rid of it!

[89toy]

have yet to have any problems with my t-case in all the miles that I have driven (knock on wood).  This is actually one of the best trucks that I have owned.  Pulls really well and gets extremely good mileage (best I have gotten was 23 and I average around 19).  I was actually trying to get a dodge 6 speed when I was looking for trucks but it seemed everybody with that type of truck was really proud of it (all cost at least 6K more than this one).  I think this truck should last another 100k as long as I take care of it (one reason why I am putting in the tranny instead of just getting another truck).

[timo992001]

You didn't really mention what you plan to do with the truck and how modified it is.  I think it is ATS that sells them for about $3000 but you can put unlimited HP and miles on them for a couple years and still be under warranty.  Check out www.thedieselstop.com and you can get a lot of info on this stuff and how to preserve your new one

[89toy]

I think am pushing about 320hp and just above 600 torque.  I think the Luk clutch should be good to go.  I have an intake, chip, and 4" straight pipe exhaust.  Pretty much the plain jane when it comes to mods.  I have a buddy that has 650 ft/lbs (dynoed) and I can keep up with him...reason why I mainly just guess about my horsepower and torque.  Thanks for the link...I will definitly research a bit and see how long I can get the new stuff to last!  The truck is just used for towing, daily driving, and very seldom, tire burning. 

[79coyotefrg]

I wouldn't own a ford.  The parts all seem way overpriced vs gm/dodge!

A buddy had nothing but problems with his tranny/tcase in his ford from day one!  He had both tranny/tcase replaced three times within the first 20,000 miles.  Two of them all he did was put it into 4lo!  BAM!!  We had been putting in and out of 2wd and 4wd all day while hunting, and then the next thing we knew we were walking out of the woods at midnight!  Then after he finally got a good tranny/tcase he had nothing but shifting problems until he got rid of it!

a guy  i used to work with had  the same happen to his ford  f150,   3 transfercases  later  he said he was going to junk it, i asked him to let me look at the diffs,  he said  i was nuts, but let me  look anyway,  he had  3.73's  in the front and 4.11's in the rear 

[Cheesemaker]

The gearing was fine, there was just something about when you would put the t-case into 4lo, it would grenade the tranny and t-case at the same time.  Ford had no clue on why or how.  And his wife worked for Ford, and she still couldn't get a straight answer.  Something must have not been aligned and bound somehow.      We could put it into 4hi all day long, but as soon as you shifted into 4lo! 

That and family friend had a ranger that acted like it was in 4lo all the time.  And it turned out to be a computer chip in the rear housing that was bad!    Why would you put a computer chip in the rear housing??

[5runner]

i would say get something thats not a ford.they design the cars and trucks to fail so they will have job security.then they just tell you that its the same as toyota and honda as far as quality goes.

[89toy]

i would say get something thats not a ford.they design the cars and trucks to fail so they will have job security.then they just tell you that its the same as toyota and honda as far as quality goes.

It's all about opinion man...when I bought this truck there was NOTHING that toyota made that could tow as much...and until they finally start producing the diesel and the dually they still can not tow as much.  213,000 miles and towing my rig and a 5th wheel trailer across America...yeah...I believe this tranny has served itself and more.

[79coyotefrg]

hey  look at this



http://www.smartpartsauto.com/manual_transmission_zf_ford_6spd.html

[864runnershortened]

that's the part that sucks, most of the guys in this little town cost way too much for their work.  I would rather just take it out myself and take it somewhere but that would be a road trip in itself.  May just have to sell off some of my stuff to afford the gas to get to a better town to do the work.  I can't take it out myself because I can't imagine how much the thing weights and all I have is a dirt driveway.

It weighs 230 lbs.   They are a very hard tranny to work on and take some special ZF-6 only tools. 

[864runnershortened]

Anybody recommend any certain company for a rebuilt ZF 6-speed or anywhere that I could get a used tranny with less than 100k on it?  I have seen a few rebuilt ones that are around 1,800 - 2,000.  I think I will give my buddy some cash to use his shop with the right stuff to do the work.  I can't afford 3,000 and don't care if I have the same tranny or not, I just need it to work in all gears and tow my crap around.  This one has had a slight problem since I bought the truck...feels like (when I am on the highway and I let off the gas quickly) there is a slight jerk when I let off the pedal...kinda like something in the tranny is bouncing between worn out splines (does it through all the gears)...so pretty much I definitly need another tranny.

So another question...I have the 7.3 and like I said it has 212,000 miles and still runs REALLY freakin good.  What is ya'lls opinion on replacing the tranny and clutch...good idea or bad.
Thanks again guys!

Where are you located.  I just got a ZF-6 from Transmission Exchange in Portland, Oregon.

[red]

you've got plenty of life left in that 7.3L get the tranny fixed/replaced with another manual and keep it.

[89toy]

Yup, replaced the tranny with a rebuild that came from a place called Joe's Transmission in Pennsylvania.  I would definitly recommend this guy...extremely good to work with and is always willing to go the extra for his customers.  The truck now has 240K on it and is runnin' great (besides one injector).  I pulled my rig around shortly after I replaced the tranny and the gears couldn't be smoother.  But damn, that tranny is definitly all of 230lbs!!!!!  Not a fun job because it is so heavy and I don't have many tools...

Thanks for all the help guys!!  Now I just have an injector to replace...