I'm at 89K miles.. The tranny still operates smoothly. I've been driving like an old man for years in order to make my car last. I've gotten used to it and it ain't all that bad. Anyway, I've read info about how the automatic stock transmissions tend to fail in 4th gens. Is there anything that can be done to significantly decrease possible tranny failure , flushing the fluids notwithstanding.

 

Install a hayden model #403 tranny cooler & convert over to synthetic trans fluid. I have almost 160,000 on my automatic & it still works like a charm.

 

I've had a stock transmission for 116k miles, and then did the VB modification.

Jeff at Maximum tuning marveled at how crisply my tranny shifted gears. He couldn't believe it had 116k miles (at the time). Shifts like it was brand new.

So, I don't think you need to drive like an old man to keep your car alive. Of course, drag racing at every stop light will certainly cause your car to wear faster.

I drive "spiritedly" and my tranny is still in great shape. Take that for what you will.

And don't be so paranoid! You can buy rebuilt trannies for $450! So race that darned car like there's no tomorrow! Just kidding. But really, the tranny is not nearly as delicate as you seem to think. Just don't throw it into reverse while you're on the highway and you'll be fine!

 

I've got 178k miles on my auto tranny and have never had a problem.
I just do a tranny flush every 2 years.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I guess i got kinda paranoid, cuz at one point everybody I knew were having transmission problems. As far as the old man driving .. well, it may not be exactly like old man style. I'm just real easy on the accelerator, and try to keep a constant velocity as much as possible.
But I never speed on the city streets anymore after having a minor accident with a drunk driver in an 81' Ford F150. I think I'll install the tranny cooler just to do a mod on the whip. I know there are easier things to do for a first mod, but I'm more into functionality then aesthetics right now.

 

auto tranny failures are generally due to break down of the fluid first, and general over abuse second. i read an article on how tranny fluid life is related to operating temperature. basicly if you keep the fluid at 180-200F it will last 100K miles....as you climb over 200F the life drops to almost zero by 300F....I am sure a synthetic can handle this a little better.

with all that being said, I prefer to at the very least drain the pan every 30K just to get rid of the contaminants...and there will always be contaminants generated in a mechanism with gears, clutches and bearings.

As for life...my 96 had 126K on the clock and shifted just like a new one...if had just two fluid flushes in its life. ...once at 50K once at 100K.

 

I changed my oil frequently in my tranny and it jsut recently died on me! Turns out i need a rebuild DAM!!!!! Maybe if i had the tranny cooler or valve body upgrade i would be better off. Man.. it $$$$$ to rebuild a tranny especially if you take it to a shop. I just have heavy foot thats all geez... my car only has 121000KM on it dammm

Should i convert to manual?? hmmmmm

 

If you have a good shop that you trust, then maybe that is your most reliable option if your tranny is going.

HOWEVER, if you don't have a lot of money to toss around, you may want to just buy a tranny from another vehicle (junkyard or crashed car) or an already rebuilt tranny.

Let us know what you decide to do and what the cost is. I'm curious to see what these things run, just in case I have the same problem down the road...

 

can a 2000-2001 auto tranny fit into a 4th gen? I know manual tranny's are no problem but what about auto's?

 

is there a place in cali that would convert a max to 5spd?