89,000 miles on a Ford C6 trans

[JimInMich]

I have a class A that has a C6 auto trans. Mileage is 89,000. Fluid looks ok. Shifts fine, no problems that I could tell.

I know this is a " Crystal Ball " type question, but would you trust this trans to make a trip from northern Michigan to southern Arizona ( round trip )?

Our trip plans are doing Route 66 as much as we can. Speeds will be kept at 55-60mph ( we're in no hurry ).

It would cost about $2000-$2200 for a rebuilt, but our budget just couldnt afford that AND the trip.

It has a medium size trans cooler now. I was thinking of upgrading to a larger cooler.

I haven't weighed the motor home yet, but assuming it is in the 13,000-16,000lb range by what I got from the original manuals.

Motor has no worries, it only has 6,000 miles since rebuild.

Moderators: I posted here so I could get info from some P.U. truck guys ( instead of posting it in the class A section ).

[ScottG]

I would invest in a temp gauge and make sure the bands get adjusted when it's serviced. That step is critical to it's life.

[K_Charles]

I think ford said oil and filter at 100,000 miles. I would not touch it if it is working fine.

[azrving]

If it seems to shift fine I would run it. It doesn't matter if it's the trans or the engine or whatever, have the funds or the credit available to get you home.

[big_jim_2]

I would trust the old one as much or more than a rebuild!

[shepstone]

C6 is a good trans , a bigger cooler won't hurt, but a trans temp gauge is essential if it doesn't have one. I put an electric fan on my F150 trans cooler with a switch in the cab so that if the temps got too high I could turn on the fan, but I don't know if that would work in a MH

[MFL]

This was Ford's HD transmission, and was very dependable. If you don't know when the transmission was last serviced, then I would just have it done. You said you would be "taking it easy", so I don't think it will give you any trouble.

If you are climbing steep grades, at low speeds, any transmission can heat up, so best to avoid these type roads when you can.

Jerry

[dodge_guy]

If you are taking a trip and cant afford something if it breaks along the way you may want to reconsider the trip?!

BTW, the trans should be just fine!

[Dave_H_M]

Personally, I don't fix things that are not broke.

i only service according to mfg recommendations.

So you know what I would do.

[soren]

Got to agree with the first response. Service the trans, including flush, filters and fluids, then see how long it will continue to provide trouble free service. I do mine every two years, which works out to 30K miles lately. It's ten years old, and trouble free. I wouldn't spend a moment of time thinking about upgrading coolers or rebuilding anything until it's been properly serviced and run until issues are evident, and I'm betting you will be fine.

[rhagfo]

The C6 was one of Fords great transmissions, fluid and filter change. I use to do my own and on the C6 I would drop the pan, clean the pan new filter and gasket. Then add the normal 5 qts. or so to fill the
Pan!Then I would disconnect the cooler return line at the pan, have about 16 qts. handy then have DW start the engine, then start adding fresh fluid down the dipstick tube while watching the color of the fluid coming out of the return line. During this time DW was slowly shifting through all the gears, did I mention parking brake ON and wheels BLOCKED? Once the fluid coming out the return line looks clean and fresh, shutdown engine, reconnect the return line and check level and top off as needed, almost a 100% fluid change.