diesels&autos

Redneck Rigger

Redneck Rigger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Location
Lawndale NC
I've been looking at tow rigs for a while, my preference being a first gen 7.3 stroke or pre (let's say 2002 cummins, first gen works for me as well). In what experiences I've had, the e4od in the stroke is bullet-proof, I would have no issues with an auto or stick.

Now, the cummins is a different story, I've heard many horror stories on the autos being total crap. I know the clutches in the stick models don't take well to upgrades, I've seen it first hand, but that's an easy fix.

Now, I've also considered a second gen stroke, but I know very little about the 4r100.

People seem be fond of thier diesels with manual transmissions, because gawd they're high! Folks also seem have good tastes in trucks, because any decent first gen stroke is high, often out-pricing a second gen in similar condition. :confused: What is everybody's opinions on the autos. I don't want to know about modified transmissions. The last thing I want to do is drop $2500+ on a rebuilt or upgraded trans on a truck I just bought. Not looking for a hot rod, but something that will handle some abuse. It's not going to be uncommon for me to pull 10k in the hills, but will mostly see a load of about 6k when it is used for towing.

What are yall's experiences an opinions. I've read about this till my eyes bleed. o_O
 
In my opinion the E4OD is turd behind a 7.3. My friends dad been through three. They are fine for driving but towing I'd swap it for something different.


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Find a 7.3 with the ZF6 speed. /
 
My 01 PSD has the 4r100 and all I have done to it is install a John woods valve body (around $300) it made a big difference in how it shifted esp after I put a DP 6 pos chip in it.I pulled a 5k camper all the way to Long beach Ca back in Jun/Jul and the trans never got over 200 degrees and that was goin thru the mojave desert when it was 109 degree.Your egts will a little more manageable w a stick though.A complete trans service (converter,cooler,ect) will cost about $150,takes 20 quarts of Dextron 5 @ $6 a quart.
 
Youve seen my f250, im running the 4R100 in it....if you do go that route for sure put a valve body in it, they shift awful stock with any weight behind them, other then the valve body mine is all stock. I keep that edge on it which maxes out at like 75hp but ive never had any problems out of it, ive pulled several other f250s home and a couple cummins so its seen some weight, nothing extreme but still a good bit
 
the e4od is almost the same as a 4r100
both are great trans but you need a upgraded valve body & a 6.0L trans cooler
get a BTS valve body & a CUSTOM TUNER (not a off the shelf chip or tuner)
i got a BTS valve & a PHP custom tunes (phoenix tuner) & a 6.0L cooler & love it & my trans temp never gets over 160*
here are the links
BTS http://brianstruckshop.com/index.html
PHP http://www.gopowerhungry.com/_phoenix.shtml

also you can do some reading here & it will help
http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13
tuners
http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78281

hope this helps
Danny
 
Jeff B said:
Find a 7.3 with the ZF6 speed. /
Click to expand...
That's exactly what i want, but once again, any one seen the seller sure is awful proud of. I find it hard to believe an e4od is crap, I've owned several trucks with one and, stuck a cooler on em, then beat the snot out of em. It's good to hear the 4r100 is good, that opens up my options a lot.

Now, about that auto behind a cummins, is it really a high maintenance turd like the 42re in my zj?
 
the 4r100 and e4od are almost identical. the e4od uses some cast iron parts that have been made from stamp steel for the 4r100. both are very good transmissions ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED. there are many modifications that need to be done to make them reliable.
people complain about the auto behind the cummins, but what they don't take into account is the fact that they are taking a trans rated for around 500 ftlbs of torque and throwing a programmer on it and pushing 750-1000 ft lbs of torque. things don't last when you upgrade the motor and don't account for the trans.(it's like running a dana 35 behind a big block and expecting it to last)
 
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