Grizzly128
N. Dakota
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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I need to upsize from a 3/4 to a 1 ton TV. I currently have a 99 Ford F-250 7.3 PSD with the 6 speed manual transmission. I've located a low mileage 2002 F-350 7.3 PSD with AUTO transmission.
Has this been a reliable transmission ? I've never trusted auto transmissions preferring the manual but this truck is in such good shape, 35000 miles, I'm really considering it....any/all input appreciated.
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mobilefleet
on the road
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Joined: 10/09/2005
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I have a 99 PSD auto with 197K and original trans and I pull a car trailer for work and a 6500 lb. plus camper on a regular basis
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I had the 4R100 (should be the same tranny) in my 04 F150- HD and towed my 9,000 lb. trailer 65,000 miles in addition to my previous 6,000 lb. trailer another 30,000 miles and never any transmission problems of any kind. Seemed pretty reliable to me.
Good luck / Skip
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Mr_MrsSchlepprock250
Archdale NC
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I have a 99 f250 with an auto with about 205,000ish on the clock,it still feels very strong,but they are definitely a weak link in these trucks,however,with a good valvebody and a trans.cooler from a truck with a 6.0 in it(the trans coolers for that year with the 7.3 is way too small) and you should get many years of service,especially with that low mileage..but the key is keeping it cool.
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GrandAZ
Indiana / Arizona
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I also had the 4R100 trans behind my 7.3. Truck was lifted, intake, 4" turbo back exhaust (straight pipe), turbo wicked wheel, injectors, custom tunes, the truck screamed and the trans seem to hold up just fine. (I did track the truck and launched on the trans while brake boosting and still never had issues).
I did have a Tru-Cool Max trans cooler doubled up with the smaller factory unit. (The Tru-Cool is a very inexpensive option to keep your temps WAY down.)
Sold the truck with just over 150K and the trans still seemed very very strong.
Ford does offer a 4R100HD, which is a heavy duty version of the same trans. You can also take the standard 4R100 and have it built by BTS, John Woods, Sun Coast, etc..and it will be good as long as the truck will run.
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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I'm towing 13+k with my 01, did have an issue with torque converter (suspect heat was issue, DW was parking for first time when I'd been called away). We have made trips across the Rockies, Sisques(sp) and Cascades with no hint of problem.
George, Juanita and Mandie (boss Shar-Pei)
01 F350, PSD, DRW
05 Carri-Lite 32RS3
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MikeSD
Tennessee
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Joined: 02/16/2006
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I have the same truck and transmission, and have no issues.
I got a modified valve body from BTS which provides for firmer, faster shifting, and also installed a TruCool trans fluid cooler.
If you have basic mechanical skills, you can easily do these yourself.
I've towed my 27' travel trailer to the beach and back (9 hours one way) in 100* temps, up/down mountains, city traffic, etc. and my trans temps stay safely below 200 degrees.
As a previous poster stated, the trans is the weakest link in these trucks, but if you pay attention to it and don't abuse it, you should be just fine.
By the way---- finding a 2002 7.3 PSD with 35,000 miles, assuming it's been well cared for, is a pretty amazing score.
2002 Ford F-350 Lariat CC, LB 4x4 7.3L PSD
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rjstractor
Auburn, WA
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If I was towing with a 7.3/6 speed combo I would not get rid of it. FWIW unless you are looking at a dually, you are only upsizing on paper if you are going from an F250 to an F350.
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ib516
Up here!
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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An 02 7.3L diesel with only 35,000 miles? Sounds like a peach to me, auto trans or not.
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