99 Ford 7.3 auto

rrlund · Nov 26, 2011

I came across a 99 Ford F350 7.3 Diesel for sale for a decent price,164,000 miles,but the darned thing has an automatic transmission. I've got a 4 speed standard in my 85 with the 6.9. I don't have any idea which transmission that auto is,or if there even was more than one that they put in a 99 F350. I've had two pickups with automatic transmissions,both Chevys with 350 turbos,and after that bad taste in my mouth,I said I'd never have an auto again.
Any advice,good or bad about the transmission that might be in that 99?

Gun guru · Nov 26, 2011

I used to work the company that made the solenoid module for that transmission. In 1999 the transmission was called the E40D, Electronic 4 speed overdrive. The diesel trucks had the highest warranty issues with the transmissions. The ZedF was the stick shift. I am pretty sure there was only 1 automatic transmission for the truck. I left that company in 1998.
If I were you I wouldnt buy that truck unless it has a new or rebuilt trans in it. If the trans is original then run away from that truck.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 26, 2011

That would have a 4R100 and they had trouble with the converter during those years. The bottoms of the doors tend to rust on that model because the CEO wanted to take out the sealant that they were putting in the crimped joint.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 26, 2011

The 4R100 was the new name for the E4OD which was introduced in 1988.
4R100 = 4 speed, Rear wheel drive, 1000 Ft.Lb.
E4OD = Electronic 4 speed, OverDrive

Jerry/MT · Nov 26, 2011

I have a "99 F350 with the auto transmission. the truck has ~90,000 miles on it and has done some hauling.The fluid was first changed at ~76,000 miles and was clean and smelled fresh. I didn"t like the way it shifts (kind of soft) so I got a Superchip Flashpaq ($150 on ebay) and it firmed up the shifts . You can put a valve kit in it for about ~$250 + labor to mechanically firm up the shifts also.
I"ve heard people that flog these machines say that they don"t hold up butsince I go easy on equipment, that hasn"t been my experience. I don"t have a lot of miles on my truck but probably 30-40% of those miles have been hauling a 20 ft GN stock trailer or a 25 ft GN Flatbed through mountain country.

I have had zero problems with the automatic transmission.

Gun guru · Nov 26, 2011

In 1988 the E4OD was introduced.
I thought the 4R100 came out in 2000 or there abouts?

1 of the key problems with the E40D transmission was that the valve body, accumulator body and solenoid manifold layed in the trans sump and all 3 were very susceptible to contamination issues. The torque converters were bad because Ford made these themselves instead of having a supplier give a better quality product. The Ford Sharonville plant outside of Cincinatti makes the Torque converters and 4R100 and the E40D when that was in production.

JayinNY · Nov 26, 2011

I have a 2000 f250 7.3 with 173000 miles on it, pulls a 16 ft trailer 5 days a week from April to December, it's automatic and I haven't done a thing to it. My brother has a 99 f250 7.3 with 80000 miles that he plows snow with, no tranny trouble! Chevy turbo 350 and 400 trannys were very good, I would go as far as say a t400 is prolly better or as good as a nowadays Allison??? Don't know for sure? My t400 in a 89 3500 has 172000 miles on it , only 1 fluid filter change, and it too pulled the trailer 5 days a week!

Ken Macfarlane · Nov 26, 2011

Its a 4R100, mine is a 2001 and has 120,000 miles on it. It had a snow plow on it for a bunch of that, then it had a service body on it and was driven by whoever at the tire shop.

I drive it hauling 3000 lb + in the bed and tow weekly with it now, I don't abuse it as a rebuild is not in the budget right now. I'm hoping to get another couple of years out of it.

tjdub · Nov 26, 2011

I've been watching craigslist for this series of truck for a long time. It's not scientific, but you can get a good idea of how long the transmissions last on average because people like to sell trucks right after they replace transmissions. Most seem to go at about 170k-200k. If you go to searchtempest.com and type in the model and then add "rebuilt transmission" in quotes, you can see for yourself how many miles those trucks have.

I also had a 90's Chevy with an auto and said the same thing about never buying another automatic. It sure is hard to find 5-speed or 6-speed trucks, and when you do, they're high priced compared to autos. I guess there isn't much demand for buying them new because Ford and Chevy don't even put manuals in their trucks anymore.

Erik Ks farmer · Nov 26, 2011

Have the same setup on the farm, has 113,000 and still going strong.

John A. · Nov 26, 2011

rrlund,E40D tranny, They are good trannys. When you are pulling hard just push the little button in, on the end of the shifter, to drop out the OD. It is to prevent the tranny from shuttle shifting between 3rd and OD thus causing premature failure at some point. IF the system is operating correctly there is a OD light on the shifter handle that lights up when the system has dropped out the OD when engaged (OD OFF). When you buy it have the Tranny serviced IMMEDIATELY !!!
A new tranny from Ford w/ a 3yr warranty is about $3300.
I have an 01 F350 Crewcab, 4X4, 7.3 DSL, Auto. Like any auto tranny use some good judgement when pulling, they can be torn up if abused.
Later,
John A.

Hogleg · Nov 27, 2011

I am running a 2000 F350 4x4 7.3 Auto with 190K miles. Zero trouble with the tranny. I bought the truck with 75K miles on it. Engine is outstanding, zero trouble there. Would not have one of the newer ford diesels. Ford ran the 6.9/7.3 basic engine for well over 15 years. Since they started messing around with them in around 2004 or so been changing engine designs about every 2-3 years (6.0, 6.6 and now this new one that needs exhaust fluid).

For my trans, I installed the shift kit (new springs and sonnax valve in the shift body) in an afternoon. Always run Mobil 1 synthetic fluid and installed a heat gauge and line filter. I make sure I do not exceed 230 degrees when towing (13K 5th wheel trailer). Heat is what kills the tranny.

My opinion - buy it after having a tranny guy look over the transmission. Have him pull the pan and tear open the filter to see if there is any junk in it. If not, then you are good to go.

Spend some time on the www.dieselstop.com forum to learn more about this.

John

99 Ford 7.3 auto

rrlund

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Gun guru

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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Jerry/MT

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Gun guru

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JayinNY

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Ken Macfarlane

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tjdub

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Erik Ks farmer

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John A.

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Hogleg

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