Who really needs a built trans???

Obviously when you juice up the power running through a transmission you accelerate wear, but assuming that a quality stock reman from a reputable builder can be had, at what point power wise is a stock/slightly modded trans no longer a good idea?

I understand that this a loaded question and there a chit ton of variables like driving style and tow frequency, but I am curious what kind of reliability that people have had with good stock remans and what mods they had while running them.

I believe Ford offers a HD rebuild. Im pretty sure a few guys on a stock reman with a valve body billet TC where 450ish.

I ran something similar with a near stock truck and then smoked it out in 1500 miles with what I have now LOL

The warranty that comes with a bts is why most have a bts. For 4500 its worth it

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Dieselboy. said:

I believe Ford offers a HD rebuild. Im pretty sure a few guys on a stock reman with a valve body billet TC where 450ish.

I ran something similar with a near stock truck and then smoked it out in 1500 miles with what I have now LOL

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I think a ford factory reman is pushing 3500 if I remember right. Whats an extra thousand at that point. What injectors did you have before the 250/200?

bruce said:

The warranty that comes with a bts is why most have a bts. For 4500 its worth it

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I have no doubt that a BTS is worth every penny and that I would be completely satisfied. In reality that is probably what I will end up doing but I have a down truck that I needed yesterday and I am only running 160's and a modified stock charger with no plan to go larger.

That being said, can a person expect decent reliability outta a stock built trans with so little power added?

While I know I wouldn't regret a BTS, I wonder if I also wouldn't regret a quality stock reman when considering the money saved.

I am really asking if it is really that risky of a decision running a stock built trans on a slightly modded truck?

Original transmission not yet rebuilt, at 268,000 miles. I've never towed over the GCVW though, and I have serviced it regularly. However, when mine goes I will have a BTS, then I will really be trying to break it though! Mostly the warranty is why I will have the BTS also.

BigAlsPSD said:

Original transmission not yet rebuilt, at 268,000 miles. I've never towed over the GCVW though, and I have serviced it regularly. However, when mine goes I will have a BTS, then I will really be trying to break it though! Mostly the warranty is why I will have the BTS also.

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You could almost push yours to the shop if it goesLOL

I am thinking about either taking mine up on a tow dolly or pulling the trans and just hauling that up. Its about 3 hours for me from LR.

About 90% on my miles is towing my 13K toyhauler. On a lot of 6% grades and my sig says it all. 148K on the orig trans with JW vb & dp tunes + a twin disc tc. A bts is a smokin deal because of Brian's customer dervice. Will I ever need one? I doubt it. With my driving style I can't justify the cost. I use my truck but don't abuse it.

Just my $.02.

I had stock truck with dp tunes.

neverkickn said:

That being said, can a person expect decent reliability outta a stock built trans with so little power added?

While I know I wouldn't regret a BTS, I wonder if I also wouldn't regret a quality stock reman when considering the money saved.

I am really asking if it is really that risky of a decision running a stock built trans on a slightly modded truck?

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I was in the same situation at one time. I either had to wait in line for a
BTS and spend $4500, or get a rebuild now for $2500.

I couldn't wait so I went with the rebuild but, I had the guy install a Precision TC, trans-go shift kit, and he did his own little VB work. Raybestos clutches, all steels, and a few other mods.

With that setup I could not complain. I literally beat the *** out of that transmission. I put 20+ 1/4 mile passes on it and drove it like and animal. I put 20k+ miles on it before I sold it and the day I sold the truck it still shifted great and never missed a beat.

IMO, for $2,500 you can't really beat that.

My setup: CCSB, 4x4, 33" tires, Traction bars, no rear block, Cale T. Tunes (BTS), 38r, RR, full 4" exhaust, intake, and a few other things that don't really matter.

If you need something now and you know somebody that you can trust, have them build you a trans and have them put what you want in it. What I asked for in my trans wasn't what he normally put in his rebuilds but I told him to do it anyways and I'd pay the difference. Now he builds all his 4r100's the way he built mine seeing how hard I was on it and how well it held up.

If you can wait, then get a BTS and never look back.

Good luck.

BTW.... I noticed you were in Arkansas. What part of Arkansas are you at? As you already know, BTS is right next door but, the guy that built my trans is a short trip from you depending on where you're located. From where I'm at I could get to the Arkansas border in just a couple hours.

160s and a stock turbo....

You can get along with a Ford HD reman and a valve body. That being said, you probably would be better off money wise to just go BTS or similar. YOu arent saving much once you add a TC and a valve body to that Ford HD

dirtboy25 said:

BTW.... I noticed you were in Arkansas. What part of Arkansas are you at? As you already know, BTS is right next door but, the guy that built my trans is a short trip from you depending on where you're located. From where I'm at I could get to the Arkansas border in just a couple hours.

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I am in the little rock area. Been to bts a few times and love working with them but time is an issue. I should have had it done this summer while the trans was still shifting good. I knew then that it was on its last leg. Where is the builder located.

Who would be the person to talk to about internals if I where to have a local builder put one together for me?

I agree with dirtboy25

I had a ford HD reman with custom valvebody, triple disc billet converter. It held my stage 1's fine, then upgraded to stage 2's, then up to hybrids. Dyno'd 454hp and 890 ft/lbs of torque. It shifts great and never had a problem with it, always stayed pretty cool, I also sled pulled twice with it and did great. It was cheaper than a bts, but if I would have known of bts at the time I would have bought one. With the trans being 2800 and the converter being $600 and shift kit work at $60 i didn't save to much over the bts. The warranty wasn't bad on it at 3 year 75k.

I am having a hard time finding the hd reman. I have called the local dealerships and all they have available for that truck is one build level. I have an account with one of them and the price they quoted was 2263.00 with converter.

Anyone know a part number for the hd trans?

neverkickn said:

You could almost push yours to the shop if it goesLOL

I am thinking about either taking mine up on a tow dolly or pulling the trans and just hauling that up. Its about 3 hours for me from LR.

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That is very true, lol

Service Part Number Motorcraft HD4R100 TRM Number
1999 4R100HD Super Duty 4X2 F250, 350, 450, 550 7.3L F81Z7V000HBRM 6U2Z7V000HRM TRM-1621
1999 4R100HD Super Duty 4X4 F250, 350, 450, 550 7.3L F81Z7V000LBRM 6U2Z7V000LRM TRM-1622
2000 4R100HD Super Duty 4X2 F250, 350, 450, 550 7.3L F81Z7V000HBRM 6U2Z7V000HRM TRM-1621
2000 4R100HD Super Duty 4X4 F250, 350, 450, 550 7.3L F81Z7V000LBRM 6U2Z7V000LRM TRM-1622
2001 4R100HD Super Duty 4X2 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000EBRM 1C3Z7V000ERM 6U2Z7V000ERM TRM-1619
2001 4R100HD Super Duty 4X4 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000FBRM 1C3Z7V000FRM 6U2Z7V000FRM TRM-1620
2002 4R100HD Super Duty 4X2 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000EBRM 6U2Z7V000ERM TRM-1619
2002 4R100HD Super Duty 4X4 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000FBRM 6U2Z7V000FRM TRM-1620
2003 4R100HD Super Duty 4X2 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000EBRM 6U2Z7V000ERM TRM-1619
2003 4R100HD Super Duty 4X4 F250, 350, 450, 550 EXCURSION 7.3L 1C3Z7000FBRM 6U2Z7V000FRM TRM-1620"

Thanks big al. Gonna see what my local stealer wants for one.

The only problem you will have is that as soon as you start your truck you will
loose any warranty they might have had on your transmission.

dmd said:

The only problem you will have is that as soon as you start your truck you will
loose any warranty they might have had on your transmission.

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Well aware, currently weighing that fact.