Ford Transmissions

[FC Ontario]

We have a F53 2003 Ford Chassis on our MH and have been very happy with it. Performs very well in all our travels.

People with the Workhorse chassis are always saying about how superior the Allison transmission is, but with all the extra maintenance required you have to wonder???
I read alot of forums and have not seen a lot of problems with Ford units with the Ford transmissions.
Has the transmission been a big problem to many people, or is it just an opportunity for Work Horse supporters to justify their choise of chassis, even when the manufacturer is not supporting people who have bought their units.
I have so many friends that are waiting for these replacement brakes toa rrive. By the time they see any it looks like it will have been a full year since WH recognized the problem

[Old Bounder]

It's not so much that the Ford transmission is mechanically inferior, but the gear spacing or ratios are less than optimum in some transmissions. The Fords' earlier 3 speed w/od E40D v/s the 5 speed Allison, left (leaves, in my case) a lot to be desired. The newer 5 speed ( 4R100 4 w/OD) is much better.

The Allison reputation is well deserved, but the Fords are not necessarily

[subford]

Originally Posted by loulong

It's not so much that the Ford transmission is mechanically inferior, but the gear spacing or ratios are less than optimum in some transmissions. The Fords' earlier 3 speed w/od E40D v/s the 5 speed Allison, left (leaves, in my case) a lot to be desired. The newer 5 speed ( 4R100 4 w/OD) is much better.

The Allison reputation is well deserved, but the Fords are not necessarily

The E4OD and the 4R100 have the same gear ratios.
They are both three speed transmissions with OD.
They are about the same transmission, the 4R100 has some minor improvements and a name change.

[tderonne]

Originally Posted by loulong

The newer 5 speed ( 4R100 4 w/OD) is much better.

Not really. The 4R100 and 5R100 have the same top three gears. The 5 speed is a 4 speed with an extra 1st gear.

[D in Davie]

I'm with you FC. I have a 2006 F53 chassis and have had no problems with the unit. I like that Ford Service is available at almost any Ford Dealer but have only needed them for oil changes so far. The tranny works best for me at about 2300 rpm or 60 mph. I'm sure that the Allison Tranny is a good one but I did not think I needed to spend an extra $3,000 for it. My brakes work just fine.