[dsl2noise]

I currently run a 7.3L IDI with many miles and a few probs...but I have a friend looking to part with his 97 F250 PSD w/E4OD. The truck's pretty straight and has 180,000 or so--little of that pulling. He's worried about his tranny giving out so he's ready to sell. I wouldn't mind the extra HPs, but I actually get a couple more miles to a gallon than he does (14 mpg w/4.10's on the PSD).

My questions are:

1) How much can you expect out of that transmission (I've had bad experiences with earlier versions of that unit) and

2) is there any hope for significant mileage increase with aftermarket mods (exhaust upgrade/air induction/chip)?

 

[B-rad]

If the trans has been serviced and taken care of, like not towing hard with. One thing that can tell you how it was taken care of is if there is a chip or some kind of tune. I would never buy an automatic truck that has a bunch of upgrades simply due to most people that upgrade their truck also run them harder. As for milage, dont expect leaps and bounds better, but if you can stay out of the turbo that is the best milage getter. Is your IDI turbo?

 

[RonKZ650]

I had a 89 with the manual and traded it in on the 97 I have now with the E4OD. Got both trucks new. I wanted another manual since I just loved that 89 but there were none to be found and all dealers told me the same thing "we've got all our alloted trucks for 97 and we have only autos". That auto is the biggest piece of %#$^@& ever put in a truck. I got I think 7000 miles out of the first transmission and that's just simple driving. I don't modify or tow anything, then the truck sat in the dealers lot for one month getting a new one. I've hated this thing ever since I bought it solely because of that E4OD, otherwise the 97 is fantastic. One mistake though was costly for me and never again so I'll never again have it happen to me. anything with an auto trans=Never again.

 

[jimzpsd]

IMHO, if you really want this truck and if it needs a new trans.,..............your still ahead, well worth every penny. I've had many opportunities to get a brand new one ('07 thru '09), but I don't care for the new crap out there and I'm still happy with mine. Tows good, dependable, easy to fix, etc. A trans is nothing, but it will make the truck that much better.

 

[dsl2noise]

Thanks for the opinions. Nice to hear from those who know whereof I speak. Obviously I've got a few reservations about that automatic as well.

My IDI is a 92 so it has a bolt action w/ no turbo (and over 300,000). I still love it, probably the cheapest truck to run per mile that the company I worked for (and bought it from) ever had, except maybe the 89 IDI it replaced.

And no, this 97 truck is completely stock currently except for a K&N filter on top. It hasn't pulled often, but when it does it moves loads in the 6-9K lb range. Anybody know the ballpark for a decent rebuild on that tranny that will make it stand up better than stock?

 

[pjwoolw]

My rebuild was about $3000. I wouldn't do it again unless I watched them do the rebuild and had full knowledge of the parts used. I might as well have done the install myself. None or the nuts were tight. I won't go on. Otherwise the BTW or John Wood route is what I would go with.

 

[Josh03]

From what I've gathered on this site and in other places is to go with a BTS (Brians Truck Shop) rebuild. I personally would go for it as long as the rest of the truck was in good shape and it was a good price. Just do the tranny right the first time and run it! I would love to have a built auto in my rig now... Just getting tired of shifting and that darn loud SMF clutch