So here is the story:

I have a 05 ranger 4x4 xlt supercab. It has 107k miles. It's in alright shape, it has a tear in the front drivers seat, the center console arm rest is eh, there are scratchs inside, the carpets dirty, the headliner is dirty, the truck bed rails have some dings, the tailgate has a big rust line, and the passanger size has a medium size scratch. The truck is equipt with a tool box, and system one ladder rack currently.

The truck has been my work truck for the last few years, and it shows it. I'm a carpenter by trade so it's not like I tow much or anything.

Last week or so the trucks transmission died.

Now i'm stuck in a hard spot, do I fix the truck and keep it? fix it and sell it? sell it broken?

The dealership want's 3,200 + tax for a tranny. Some local guys will rebuild for 1800+ tax. and I can get a used tranny installed for like 1400 or so. The local guys will only give a 6 to 12 mo. warranty. The dealer will give 3yr/unlimited mileage.

If it was your truck what would you do?
If I fix it what realistically could i get for a trade/private sale? I would want a fastish sale on it. Im not looking to hold on to it if I'm selling it for months.

I also have thought about selling it broken, what are your ideas on this?

Any responses would be greatful :)

 

For the year and low miles, I personally would keep it. I would shop around transmission shops and go from there as far as warranty or reputation.

 

What do you think a transmission in reality should cost? think the dealership would budge at all? The truck needs a front seal, and oil pan as well. Think thats redicilous to ask done for 3,200 as well? What would someone realistically pay for the truck with new ford tranny and warantee? Is it worth going dealer with it? I like the longer warantee, and I travel +/- 100 miles often in it so I need service if it fails again when im not right in the area. So that draws me to a chain or a dealership...

 

I have a buddy that does transmission work, he does well and I would say the cost would be under 2k. I myself would not have a dealership do it. I have dealt with dealerships for certain things and some (like the one by me) try to bleed you dry by saying you need this, that and all that other crap. Also look into their warranty, see what EXACTLY is under warranty. I had a Lee Myles shop do a tranny for a blazer for me years ago. It took them 4 tries to get it right and they tried billing me each time for a rebuild. Shop around man, and ask the shops for references too. The oil pan and seal I would think can be done on the cheap side by a reputable mechanic.

 

Also use the different shops against each other. If I can get the name of a guy I used to know near Oswego(used to live there) I will give it to you. He is great with transmissions and started a small shop at his house. It will be a little bit of a drive but if he saves enough it may be worth it.

 

I had the same situation and I decided to get mine rebuilt for $1800. The tranny works great and I have a year warranty.

 

I got my transmission rebuilt for $1400 - Competition Transmission - close to Chicago, IL. Happened about 2 1/2 years ago and my truck is a 95 - Was worth it to me.

I looked at it as, $1400 now or scrap the truck and have how many months of new/used car payments?

Doesn't sound like your truck is all that bad off minus the trans. Even if you want to sell it, you'll get more for it with a working transmission.

Just my $.02

 

Ah Oswego, I actually went to college up there at SUNY Oswego. That would be good to check into.

I've been looking at other trucks and stuff and it's really I just don't feel comfortable dropping 20k on a work truck. My ranger does fine enough for me as it is. It's just I feel like i'm pissing money away into it. Maybe it's that thought of being over 100k miles or what not!

I had a 97 explorer that went to 289k miles, and it's basically the same thing. So maybe i'm best off fixing it.

Now I also know a shop (not a very big one) that does install used transmissions. I got a quote from them of $1,027 for a used one installed witha ll fluids/filters. I just need to tow it up there (not a problem my father has a F350 diesel... haha it takes two ford trucks to make one go... long story but if ones running one seems to be broken). The used tranny they have has 27k miles on it. I'm just wondering if there are any down sides to installing a used tranny? Such low miles, I can't imagine it being bad, but who really knows right?

I guess i'm worried about the small shops rebuilding it, Their price coming in at 2k without any hardparts of any kind (with hard parts it could be as high as 3,200!) I feel like they are a bit too high in my mind risk vs. warranty?

If the dealer could just do it for $2,500 I would have dropped the truck off there a week ago!

How long does a typical rebuilt tranny last for? Will shops let you supply the parts that you want used? I'm not really looking to have them put in the cheapest parts out there to make highest profit margins... I'm in construction and I know how that is sometimes.

I guess I'm just having trouble either coughing up cash, or making a decision! If only this could have waited 2 weeks to happen :(.

Thoughts?

 

if it were me id either find a hig performance shop and have it built, or take it to ford for a 3yr warranty. Its your call though. You can have a built to beat trans for the same money from a shop.

 

x2 or do it yourself lol

 

3yr 100,000 mile warranty Jasper Transmissions

 

Haggle with the dealership! lol They are all about that. Tell them to only give you a 2 year warranty. lol

 

Get it rebuilt at a shop. If you take it out/put it back in yourself, you will usually save a ton of money. My friend had his mustang trans rebuilt for like $800 and they were going to charge him $1300 if he made them pull it and put it back in.