Quick answer. A 2004 Ford F150 came to us slipping. Testing on an earlier visit pointed at the transmission itself, not the fluid and not a sensor. We sourced a transmission, put in 12 hours of labor, and on September 12 the truck drove again. The full bill was $2,968.53.
Key Points
- The complaint was a transmission that slipped.
- An earlier diagnosis ruled out the fluid and the sensors and pointed at the transmission itself.
- We did not price the job until we had a transmission in hand.
- Labor was 12 hours at $150. The transmission was $1,002.54.
- The full bill was $2,968.53. The last $1,734 was paid by card on September 12.
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Slipping, and Not the Cheap Fix
A slipping transmission is the one nobody wants to hear about. Everyone hopes it is low fluid or a bad sensor. Sometimes it is.
Not this time. Our tech tested the truck on an earlier job. The result pointed at the transmission itself. Fluid and sensors were not the problem.
That matters, because a fluid service on a worn out transmission is money spent on hope.
Source First, Price Second
The job was opened on September 3. It sat unpriced on purpose. The note said the unit has to be sourced first.
We do that because the price of the transmission decides the price of the job. Quoting before you have one is a guess. We would rather call you with a real number.
Once we had the unit, the lines went on the job.
The Bill, Line by Line
Labor was 12 hours at $150, $1,800. The transmission was $1,002.54. A transmission filter was $25.99. A gallon of Valvoline MaxLife synthetic transmission fluid was $120.
One more line is easy to miss. A 2 1/2 inch band clamp, $20. When the exhaust comes off for a swap, an old clamp often does not go back on right. A new one is cheap.
2004 Ford F150, September 12
Came in with: a slipping transmission.
Testing found: the transmission itself, not fluid or a sensor.
What was done: transmission swap with a new filter, fluid and an exhaust clamp.
Cost: $2,968.53. Labor $1,800, parts $1,168.53.
Done
The tech's note on September 12 is short. Made it so it goes. The truck drives.
The owner paid the remaining $1,734 by card that evening, with the rest paid earlier in the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a transmission swap cost on a 2004 F150?
This one was $2,968.53. That was 12 hours of labor at $150, a $1,002.54 transmission, a filter, fluid and an exhaust clamp.
How do you know it is the transmission and not the fluid?
We test first. On this truck the diagnosis ruled out the fluid and the sensors and pointed at the transmission itself.
Why did you wait to price the job?
The price of the transmission sets the price of the job. We sourced the unit first so the quote was real.
How long does a transmission swap take?
This one was billed at 12 hours of labor.
Why was there a band clamp on the bill?
The exhaust comes off for a transmission swap. A new $20 clamp keeps it from leaking when it goes back on.
Supercanic tip: Before you pay for a transmission flush on a slipping truck, ask what the test said. If it points at the transmission itself, the flush will not save it. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Transmission Slipping?
We test first and price the real job once the parts are in hand.
