Thread: Tranny Work From John Wood Transmissions

I have an 02 F-350. It has 22000 miles on it. I have a Factory Tech Valve Body and an external Tru-Max tanny cooler. I also have a TS performance chip that locks up the TC early. It has a few hot settings. I am looking to do some preventative work to make the tranny last. I have read a lot about Brian at BTS and actually spoken to him and he seems extremely knowledgeable. I wanted him to do some work on my Tranny but Lead Hill is about 1500 miles from me. I then read some posts about John Wood and the feedback seems positive. I spoke to John and he seems great. I am looking for anyone that has had him do some work. What are your thoughts on what he does? Will his trannies last a long time? As long as Brians? I would love your opinion and advice. The other question I have is I know that John is recommending the 6.0 stock converter as an upgrade. How does this compare to other aftermarket converters? Please let me know what you think and thanks. p.s. John if your reading this thanks for the time on the phone, I spoke to my friend in El Centro and may be planning a trip soon.

I can't brag enough about the work John did to mine. I had a fresh rebuild. But had a shift flair problem since day 1 not even the rebuild fixed it. Ford had tried everything to "fix" it and nothing. I went to John's he not only fixed the shift flair but went through the whole thing. He showed me what they did wrong, I got to watch and was VERY impressed.
Gene has a BTS and after watching what John did to mine he says my tranny is better than his BTS. It sure does shift better.
Unfortunately I sold my truck to our nephew John so now I have to get John Wood to fix another one. And believe me I will. No doubt about it. I wouldn't go to anyone else.

Sheryl

Much better than stock, and it holds shifts well with torque. I still may have him tweak the valve body on mine, but remember that I have an early model and the programming and T/C lock-up is less sophisticated on the E4OD trans.

Mine is probably a bit over built, but it has to be able to hammered off road or in sand from time to time.

The 6 liter torque converter is a nice SUBTLE change, but not really absolutely needed for everybody. I have seen them split open (courtesy of John Wood) and you get a lot of OEM quality: a better friction surface, and a lower stall fin angle on the stator than with real expensive hand built units, and a strong center hub attachment. I think all the stock torque convertors are going to run about $299 bucks so it's up to you to decide if you want to give it a go. Show up at a meeting and drive a truck with a trans with the 6 liter converter to see if you can really tell the difference. I can, sometimes in the 1-2 shift.

I'm not worrying about if I kill my trans this season anymore... it is holding pretty tight.

Can the 6.0 converter be better than all of the aftermarket triple discs out there? There must be a reason the aftermarket companies can get over $1000 for their converters. GF

I think maybe the friction material is better than the aftermarket stuff, but it is not triple disk or anything like that. The biggest failure of the so called hi perf convertors is the center hub is not welded in so good on some of the ones I've seen.

For less than 400 hp and if you are not competing in pulls or whatever, the stock 6 liter converter looks like it will last a very long time and it costs no more than other stock converters. It is beefier than the stock 4r100 and E4OD if I recall...or at least it had more friction material on the lock up clutch.

It will require more clearance from the crankshaft so a spacer is utilized to move the trans back .110 inch. The extra (front)/ shorter(rear) length is used up easily in the driveshaft slip joints. If you want a backwards compatible trans that can be re-rebuilt by someone else with out having to get a whole new core, then a stock based converter and a more mild build (less clutches etc., no bearing upgrades) would be better.

I think Mr. Wood has made a custom torque converter or two if you still think you need it.

Where is John?..I can't really remember everything he did to mine and I watched him do just about all of it.

There must be a reason the aftermarket companies can get over $1000 for their converters.

Because the superduty diesel crowd is generally affluent and 'if it costs more it must be good' seems to be the age old hi perf selling point. Sometimes hi-perf does not equal longevity though.

Hey Mike100,

Will you do me a favor? Look at dieselsite.com and check out the upgraded 5r110 billet converter tht Greg Evans makes. Bob at dieselsite sells it. Let me know what you think. I believe it is a stock 6.0 converter with upgrades and a billet cover. I have a chance to get one from a friend for a good price and wonder if I should. I would still have John do his work and use this converter. I would really appreciate your thoughts on it. GF

Strongly suggest you discuss that with John Wood before buying anything..

John knows and understands high performance, so he should know what would go best with his trans and your needs.


Dennis

Yea what Dennis said

GENE

Stupid question - where's John's shop? I'm located in North Carolina.

I want to really turn the power up on my 7.3 but teh stock trannyis already a bit problematic. Might have to make a trip out west to visit a tranny shop next spring...

Holtville CA, about 90-100 miles east of San Diego and 45-50 miles west of Yuma.

Stupid question - where's John's shop? I'm located in North Carolina.

I want to really turn the power up on my 7.3 but teh stock trannyis already a bit problematic. Might have to make a trip out west to visit a tranny shop next spring...

Come on out we would be glad to have you

GENE

Are the 6.0 convertors quieter than my 99.5 rock grinder
convertor? Mine is so loud i have to shut engine off to order in a drive thru.
Thank Dave

Super quite and very smooth we have one in Sheryl's old truck.

GENE