To go or not to go? What would you do?

[jaredc00]

What would you do....

You've planned a trip to Moab for the last 6 months with a close friend. Its coming up in 1.5 weeks. You've been building a rig all winter, your over budget on the build, but you finally think your done. You go to drive it and the trans doesn't work. What do you do??? Oh, and your out of money, except there is a cash advance account you could use.

Options:
1. Install a KSL tranny, and go to Moab. $300 for tranny, $600 for Moab trip.
2. Try to fix your tranny even though you know nothing about it. Cost unknown, Moab, who knows if you'd make it.
3. Take it to a tranny shop, and go to Moab. $500??? trans, $600 for Moab trip. (you'd save some time and hassle)
4. Go to Moab, rent a jeep. $1000 for trip.
5. Do the smart thing by not going further into debt for the trans or the trip. Cancel on your friend (who will hate you for it), save up to replace the tranny 4-6 months down the road.

What would you do?
Oh, and if someone has a c6 for dirt cheap or knows how to fix them, call me! 435-755-2965

 

[sawtooth4x4]

my sensible side is : 5

what kind of transmission?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Go to Moab, one way or another. When you grow old, you won't tell your grandkids about the time you stayed home because it was practical.

 

[Kevin B.]

I'd never go into debt for a vacation. Drop your trans and fix it if you can, and if not just plan on riding shotgun with your buddy.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

option 6

ride with your buddy. I'll tell you being out of debt saves me loads of money. I used to have over $30K of debt. not having it gives me loads of freedom now. i had to sacrifice for a few years, but its paying off now. less worries, more money in my account.

 

[jaredc00]

Its a ford C6 behind a 351W going to a 203 doubler.
Good ideas, thanks.
Going into debt makes me sick. Especially when its for something I don't absolutely have to have. I just want it so bad I get tempted and think that I have to have it. I was out of debt before trying to fix this bronco for the trip.

 

[benjy]

#2 but I've missed 2 planned wheeling trips this spring due to an unknown tranny problem. Financial freedom will lead to many more trips down the road.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

here's a cheap kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-C6-C-6-Transmission-Overhaul-Rebuild-Kit-67-96-/370473180345#vi-content

now all you need is a manual. should be one online somewhere

http://www.thedieselfiles.com/Ford/C6%20Automatic%20tranny.pdf

 

[ChestonScout]

What is the trans doing?


c6 is a dead reliable transmission. Also one of the easiest to rebuild.


Im still paying on some of my parts. I wouldnt ever go in debt for a build again. Even tho I have had a ton of fun since.

Edit.....


If I was dead set on the trip, I would choose option 1. Run the ksl trans for awhile and meanwhile buy a rebuild kit and learn how to fix your old one. When its back together you can resell the ksl trans...probably what you bought it for....and then your set

 

[jaredc00]

Here is the history/story on the C6: I bought the 69' bronco a year ago. It came with an extra trans, the C6. The guy said it was a good trans. So this winter I removed the stock manual trans and the dana 20 t-case. I installed the C6 with a 203/205 doubler. I went to drive it (after spending way too much on drivelines) and it barely moves in reverse. Forward it moved but not great. After 10min it wasn't moving at all. I let it sit, and fired it up again and made it back home. I cleaned some crap out of the filter and changed the fluid, which was pink. Also it won't go into park and the shifting feels off. Like Reverse is where N should be and D where 2 should be. And it feels like it only has 2nd. So I topped it off after cleaning it out, reverse still was weak, forward (2nd only) was feeling snappy, but 15 minutes later it wasn't moving at all. As I'm typing this I'm realizing how messed up this thing could be... I think since the initial fill and drain came out pink, there was water in there. Who knows how long it was sitting in that state, so I think some stuff is rusted internally. I wasn't going to bother with the not going into park problem till after the trip.

So in conclusion, the thing is really messed up. I'm thinking if I do go, its going to be a quick swap with a KSL tranny like ChestonScout suggested. Or just be smart and not go.

 

[ChestonScout]

its possible the shift linkage is off. I imagine you have a aftermarket shifter.


Probably not the only problem but I bet its the park problem. Maybe undo the shifter linkage at the trans and manually shift it and see what happens

 

[sawtooth4x4]

i was kind of thinking the same thing with linkage.

try flushing the transmission a few times and putting a new filter in.

 

[jaredc00]

there is no linkage on the outside of the trans. I'm just reaching through the floor to shift it.

 

[DAA]

Go to Moab, one way or another. When you grow old, you won't tell your grandkids about the time you stayed home because it was practical.

This.

Six months planning, building a rig all winter. Go! For hellsake... Option 1 doesn't sound so bad - $300 and you're there.

- DAA

 

[SLC97SR5]

Option #1.

The c6 transmissions really don't have much going on. Your chances of purchasing a reliable unit are quite good.

 

[jaredc00]

K, I'm going for option #1. I'll be picking up a tranny soon for $200 which is not bad at all. I just couldn't cancel since I was the one towing the two rigs to Moab. Plus I've been looking forward to this for months! Time to sell the Three wheelers to pay for it, I didn't ride them much anyway anymore... Plus I'll have to work some overtime, but luckily that's an option for me!

 

[Brian P]

I think you need new friends.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Look at the bright side: at least your transmission acted up before you left home. Last fall, I began the trip to CA run the Rubicon... but my throwout bearing disintegrated in Nevada. I had to drop out of the trip and pay $800 for the installation of a new clutch kit plus $100 for an unexpected hotel stay. You'll spend some cash but still get to make your trip.

Having recently been to Moab, I say go.

 

[Bart]

Smart choice and hope it works for you. I've gone into debt for both builds and vacations and I'd prolly do it again.

 

[jaredc00]

Ok, so I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. And now I've run into another problem. The output shaft on the C6 I just bought has been cut. Reading on the internet, this is to accommodate an atlas t-case. So since this one has been cut I don't know if it will still be strong enough in the stock use application... There is about 1" engagement between the output shaft and collar on the 203. Is 1" enough?