Which trucks have the most reliable transmission?

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2008 f150. Right before the electronics got complicated. The 4r75w is a great 4 speed transmission that has lasted me over 200k miles in both my of fords. Make sure the engine is a 2 valve, not a 3 valve. If you're trying to spend 15 grand you could get a nice ass king ranch package.

Before anyone starts hating on my comment, i just want you to think about how many 11th gen F series trucks you've seen still driving around and then compare that to the 3rd gen rams and gmt900s. I bet all the gmt900s have had transmission work

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Jealous-Ad1431@reddit

Great trucks

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Salty-Put554@reddit

You have a point and the 2v 4.6/5.4 with a 4r75w was used in Crown vics and mustang GTs as well as Econoline vans and Expeditions, so parts are plentiful.

That being said most people are going to scoff at the idea of spending so much for a 20 year old gas half ton. Especially since OP lives in Wisconsin where rust is going to be common

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glaze_oe@reddit

I live in Iowa where salt and rust are also very common. A cheap way to combat it to clean the underside real good and do a rubber undercoat. Flexseal is not tough enough btw. A more expensive way to avoid salt rust is to get a car wash.

Parts for the 11th gen f series are plentiful and cheap. Brand new and readily available. All shops are familiar with them and they're easy to service, mechanic labor hours are expensive.

You're right, most people would scoff at a 20 year old truck because they're not very smart and snobbier then they can admit.

OP if you're really a girl and you want a good truck. Compare it to a stand mixer. You dont want the new KitchenAid. You want the one from 20 years ago

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Whiskeypants17@reddit

What 4 trannys did you kill? Make sure to not get that one again? Seems silly but multiple models of trucks use the same transmissions.

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LilyoftheV117@reddit (OP)

I've had a 1986 Ford F-150, a 1996 ram (I don't remember the model), one I don't remember, and a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 that is in the shop right now that needs to be rebuilt. I've changed the makes around, but since I don't know cars I didn't know that different brands use the same company for motors such as General Motors.

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ontheedge4201@reddit

so did you go with the rebuilding option for the transmission? I've been hearing some good things about getting a transmission remanufactured instead. Been thinking of using Ace Transmission but wanna know how yours went/is doing

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Glittering-Show-5521@reddit

Knowing what you have now makes recommendations simpler. I'm assuming you don't have a manual transmission because all of those vehicles except maybe the 96 Dodge have decent manual transmissions. The 96 Dodge Ram 1500s are known to lose 5th gear.

If you just want another 1500-size truck, my recommendation is a Toyota Tundra (first gen [2000-2006] or 2nd gen [2007-2021]). The gas mileage won't be all that different from the vehicles you have now. The first gen with the 4.7 V8 will have a timing belt that needs to be changed at a regular interval. In the second gen Tundra, unless you get a 4.7 (available between 2007 and 2010), they have timing chains, so they don't require timing belt changes. If you do get a Tundra, make sure that you get the transmission serviced every 60,000 miles. You'll thank yourself later.

A dark horse option is the Honda Ridgeline. Same thing here: make sure you don't exceed 60,000 miles between transmission services if they just say "it's lifetime fluid."

Lifetime fluid just means 5 years or 100,000 miles. Most Honda and Toyota cars last a lot longer than that, so getting it changed every 60,000 ensures longevity of the transmission.

Another important detail if all these trucks are automatics: do you stop completely before switching between reverse and drive, or drive and reverse? You should, be, but some people don't (just asking). Or do you drive a manual transmission?

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redditforman11@reddit

Maybe learn to drive. If you've destroyed 4 transmissions, it's clearly you, not the trucks.

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AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Never had any NV3500 or 4500 truck I’ve owned give me a bit of trouble out of the transmission, even above 300k.

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LessImprovement8580@reddit

What truck made in the last 5 years was sold with the nv3500 or 4500?

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AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Op has a 15k budget, they aren’t getting a sub 5 year old truck.

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

Noisy but long-lasting, they're excellent.

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Used-Claim9535@reddit

4 transmissions crap out on you? Jeeze.

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6speeddakota@reddit

Depends if you're looking for brand new or older. You really can't go wrong with a GM 4L80E in the 3/4 ton and up gas trucks, same goes with the Alison 5 and 6 speed if you don't put a ton of tuning on the engine. The 48re and 68RFE dodge transmissions are god awful.

In terms of standards, you really couldn't go wrong with any of the choices. You'd be looking for something older though since none of them came new with one.

As far as new trucks go, I know the light duty 10 speeds were problematic at first, I think they're better now. The 8 speed ZF is great in the ram, but the rest of the truck isn't great. The ford 6 speed auto is good in both light and heavy duty. The GM 6L80 and 8speed are definitely ones to avoid, as well as the ram 6 speed auto. Can't really go wrong with Toyota, I know Nissan used an aisin 6 speed in the titans, but I don't have much experience with those. The ford 5R120 is fantastic too, but they're paired with some of the worst engines, so take that with a grain of salt

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Acrobatic_Remove3563@reddit

Titan current gen is a 9-speed that’s pretty much bulletproof. It has to hunt some at like, parking lot speed but other than that is great.

Previous gen was a 7-speed that had some issues here and there from what i’ve heard.

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Drjak3l@reddit

I think its because those lower gears help with towing. I haven't noticed any hunting in mine but my foot is very soft and it seems to always find the right gear and keep me cruising under 1500 rpms.

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MichaelAuBelanger@reddit

The ones with the most responsible operators.

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ReaperOfNight@reddit

Do you know how to/are willing to learn how to drive manual? It's not too bad. I learned recently while driving a car up from another state and daily drive a manual now. There is reliable automatic transmissions, but generally, manuals are a lot simpler and from what I understand, much cheaper to rebuild/replace if something does go wrong.

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LazyNewspaper4624@reddit

Tundra's your best bet for a transmission that won't quit, though the gas mileage will hurt.

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Glittering-Show-5521@reddit

Given that the OP's trucks are all pre-2000 (except for the 2011 whatever it is [she said she mixed up the models]), gas mileage in the Tundra will actually be better than all of them except maybe the 2011 if it was an ecoboost. I've driven all of them (or know someone who has driven all of them), and the gas mileage in my 2011 Tundra is actually not bad.

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congteddymix@reddit

My question to you is you say you do do everything you can to avoid putting strain on the transmission but what kind of weights are you hauling? What was the typical mileage you bought these previous trucks with? Are you getting the transmission serviced?

How many miles do you put on these typically before the trans goes out?

I ask all this because it tends to be more of an operator issue if every vehicle you buy ends up having the transmission go out. Also if you’re only spending below $15k on a truck in Wisconsin(I know cause I live here also) these all typically have over 100k on the clock and already have issues due to rust. Previous owners probably also used the shit out of them and overloading them.

Honestly if you’re using this for business then you need to adjust your fees and spend more money and buy a lower mileage cleaner truck. Also adjust your expectations, maybe buy a base standard cab with 50k on the clock instead of a decked out crew cab with 200k on it.

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FanLevel4115@reddit

Easy. Electric trucks. They have a single speed gear reducer. The entire motor/gear reducer/diff assembly has 6 bearings and 4 gears. That's it. There is nothing to go wrong. Maybe in 300k you toss a set of bearings at it. It's easier to rebuild than a manual transmission. 90% less parts.

There is a reason locomotives have been electric drive for half a century.

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Quidegosumhic@reddit

If he uses the truck for work, electric is not an option. Usually when someone wants a good transmission it's because they will be hauling.

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FanLevel4115@reddit

I'm a contractor who drives long distances to service factories all over a large city 180km long. My next work vehicle will absolutely be an electric.

Keep in mind GM just did a huge price drop on the Silverado. It is now $5k more than the gas truck. Nobody is going 450 miles/740km in a work day unless you are flat out on a freeway all day long.

Here in Vancouver I'm looking at $100k CAD for fuel costs over 400,000km (250k miles) vs $15k in power charged in my shop. (Less with solar power). The electric truck is free.

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Sense_Conscious@reddit

During our busy season, I have hit 450+ miles in a day several times and never touched freeway/interstate

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FanLevel4115@reddit

You are putting on the miles.

I figure for those few rare times year, that truck can gain 100 miles per 10 minutes at a rapid charger. Stop, recharge, have a steak, a pint and a leisurely shit. The money saved makes it worth it.

Also if you are that busy, starting out with a full battery every morning instead of having to stop at a gas station? That's real nice. I'll take a few 20-30 min rapid charging stops over 10 minutes a week. It's less labour time per year.

Plus electric vehicle uptime is simply superior. With those kinds of mikes you are doing oil changes every couple of months. With an electric that becomes 50k to change the oil in the gear reducer.

Plus I just like how electric vehicles drive. 100% peak torque available from zero RPM and quiet d space ship sounds? Yes please. No waiting for a 10 speed automatic to shift down 4 gears. You stomp and accelerate. That is just nice.

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Sense_Conscious@reddit

Well sometimes, stopping to charge isn’t an option when a million dollar plane is waiting on fertilizer or chemicals, or a ground rig is waiting on the same thing…they’re not a million tho, only like 700k

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FanLevel4115@reddit

Most 'sane' places around the world treat their employees like a human and lunch breaks are a thing. The human machine needs recharging breaks too. After I have driven 450 miles I am taking a half hour break which gets you an 80% battery.

I don't care how 'important' a delivery is, they can fuck right off. If you let your clients take advantage of you like that, you are doing it wrong.

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Sense_Conscious@reddit

In farming, time is money. The impatient farmers are what keep the world going too. Not to mention it pays really well and those extra hours are just a little cherry on top. One other thing is the absolute lack of charging stations in Arkansas, just for shits and giggles I looked up the closest one to me, it’s 34 miles away…I’m not against electric vehicles at all but in our location and industry, they just aren’t practical and they can’t handle the load.

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FanLevel4115@reddit

Well then that is the 0.001% problem that needs a diesel truck.

Everyone is so worried that their pickup truck can't solve 100% of the problems they forget the golden 80% rule or business. If you can serve 80% of your clients cheaper the business goes to you.

Same with electric semi trucks which are already very popular in the EU. Start with the city trucks and day hauling crowd.

And if you think that electric trucks have maxed out, you are mistaken. There are currently dozens of batteries in automotive validation that are 50% higher capacity per weight. China is already putting them in vehicles.

To give some perspective, Tesla's best cells are 274wh/kg. There are several batteries in the 350wh/kg class already on sale in China and CATL's new 'condensed battery' is already undergoing flight certification. It's 500wh/kg. That is almost double.

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Whiskeypants17@reddit

You're not wrong but what electric truck is $15k?

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LilyoftheV117@reddit (OP)

To be fair I just updated this to be more specific in what I am looking for!

I am new to posting so I didnt think about all the information that would be helpful

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FanLevel4115@reddit

If you are a delivery driver, what are your fuel costs and do you have your own parking spot where you could add home charging?

Have you used a spreadsheet to work out your fuel cost per month and do you know how to calculate your electric consumption costs?

I did some math and nearly shit my pants. Here in Canada with our affordable power and cheap fuel, over 400,000km the gas truck would cost me around $100,000CAD in fuel (optimistic) and $20k in electricity when charged at home. $15k when charged in my shop.

The math might actually favour a new electric vs a used gas truck. More cost up front, but if the fuel savings makes half your payments maybe it isn't costing you more after all?

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Dry-Cardiologist1145@reddit

Either a ram 5.7 paired with the 8 speed ZF or a Toyota tundra. Tundra for reliability but horrible gas mileage. Ram for looks but not the greatest for reliability. But both are solid in the transmission department.

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Glittering-Show-5521@reddit

People say Tundras get terrible gas mileage, but it's all relative. I grew up when people driving trucks were lucky to get gas mileage in the teens where I live, and getting much over 14 MPG on the freeway was rare. This was all in gas trucks, of course, with diesels getting a little better but not astronomically better.

I got 19 mpg on the one freeway trip I took in my second gen, which is on par with what my V6 Isuzu Rodeo got. I get mid 14s in the mountains, and 14-16 on my commute where hilly highway driving gets mixed in. Getting 20+ MPG on the freeway in a truck (with the exception of the Honda Ridgeline, which is more like a car in many respects) didn't really happen until these twin turbo V6s with 8+ speed transmissions came along. Those good about 19 on a similar commute to mine.

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505backup_1@reddit

A zf hemi will be a very reliable combo

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Dry-Cardiologist1145@reddit

Minus the inevitable lifter job it’ll be OP’s best bet.

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505backup_1@reddit

Don't idle too much, and if you're really that worked throw a hellcat oil pump on and forget about it

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Dry-Cardiologist1145@reddit

Yep exactly. Best combo without a doubt

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hidefinitionpissjugs@reddit

2nd gen Nissan Frontier 6 speed manual

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ravage214@reddit

The automatics are just as bulletproof (made for a V8 but fed by a V6) and less of a Unicorn, 6 speed frontiers are hard to find.

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Salty-Put554@reddit

I have had 4 transmissions crap out on me. I do everything I can to not put any extra strain on it, but it still seems to keep happening.
I am also not a car girl so I need you all to dumb it down a little for me please.

Automatic transmission are designed in such a way that they are technically 'wear items' like brake pads. Sometimes they last 300k miles but most of the time they do not. Ford Chevy Dodge it doesnt matter, they dont last forever.

The rebuild (as Im sure you know) can often cost more than the vehicle.

Sometimes ads for trucks will mention having a rebuilt transmission, ask for receipts! (scummy salesman know people are wary of old auto trans). One way to offset this risk is to buy a lower cost vehicle with the plans to have an emergency fund for transmission failure. Say your budget is 15k, find a 12k truck and keep the rest in savings. Other comments went into detail with which transmissions to avoid etc.

If you are a delivery driver for tips it will wear it out that much faster than highway driving.

Can you drive a stick shift? They last a lot longer

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DetectiveNarrow@reddit

Nissan titan/ frontier.

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Bonethug609@reddit

Seriously?

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Icy-Role2321@reddit

Why you asking that?

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Bonethug609@reddit

I’ve never heard that before. I’d like more info

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skiller1nc@reddit

The 2005-2014 titan and frontier have very good drive trains. And the newer ones seem to be holding up great too.

The frontier vq40 engine is solid and both the auto and manual trans will hold up. The auto could leak coolant into the trans fluid via the cooler but that was fixed in 2008 I think. After that there weren't really any major issues.

The titan with the vk56 is solid too, no real issues with that motor and the transmission hold up as well too.

Nissan gets a bad rap for the early jatco cvt quality but their trucks have been good for a long time.

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Icy-Role2321@reddit

Never heard that outside reddit?

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grim1757@reddit

At least it isn't a cvt like the rest!

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lockdown36@reddit

F150 lighting or cyber truck, Rivian

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lobsterChief17@reddit

Stay away from Fords 10 speed

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CrankGOAT@reddit

The new 2024 10r80 is one of the toughest stock transmissions you’ll ever shift. Prior to ‘23 they had issues.

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2222014@reddit

Untill its not, which is inevitable.

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kickintex@reddit

Kind of hard to make that claim on a year old truck.

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robinson217@reddit

I have a 2018 10R80, and my transmission guy can't believe I've gotten 150,000 smooth shifting miles out of it. I'm just gritting my teeth, waiting for that shoe to drop. I've changed the fluid at the recommended intervals, never towed heavy, and drive pretty chill.

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2222014@reddit

GM 6L90 is hard to beat.

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loskubster@reddit

The nv5600 and g56 in the third gen super duty rams are pretty fucking stout. They are both manual transmissions though. Also not sure what you use case is for the truck so a diesel might be overkill. Although if you drive a lot the in-line 6 5.9 cummins will eat highway miles for an eternity and gets better fuel mileage than the comparable gas motor. I average about 20mpg in mine unloaded and that’s with the higher gear ratio.

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Kootsiak@reddit

What truck did you blow 4 transmission in? We need to know what you are starting with first.

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bcsublime@reddit

You’re going to be hard pressed to find a reliable pickup for 15k. At that price point, you will certainly have issues whether or not it is transmission or something else. Truck market is crazy expensive.

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richardfitserwell@reddit

The ford 6r80 is extremely reliable

The ford 5.0 6r80 is the one of the most reliable combos out there.

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ThirdSunRising@reddit

Manual transmissions do not go out.

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Interesting-Olive562@reddit

Half tons. The ZF in rams is so buttery smooth and strong. The 10 speed in f150 is strong and,,, ugh well its like if an old toilet bowl was a transmission with too many gears for horseplay. I hate it. Least fun trans ive ever met.

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OpinionofanAH@reddit

F150s up until 2018 and f250s until I believe 2020. The 6 speeds in those are pretty bulletproof. The 6 speed in the gas 2500+ chevys is pretty good but can have torque converter issues (not as common as the 6 speed in the 1500s). Any of the 10 speeds are not the greatest. Chevys 8 speed in the 1500s had shuddering issues. I’m not sure about ram and their 8 speed though. I’m sure the last gen v8 tundra had a good trans because the truck was a dinosaur.

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TheTense@reddit

Do you consider Truck based SUV’s trucks?

The 5 speed auto in the Tacoma and 4Runner run forever. Toyota oversized the valve bodies. Chance the fluid every 60k and life is good for 350k miles.

Otherwise ZF transmissions are pretty good.

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LilyoftheV117@reddit (OP)

I do, but I also like the look of a pickup, but I'm doing my best not to be too picky because I just need a reliable truck. What other kinds of trucks would have the ZF transmission in it. Im doing my best to learn but examples would help alot!

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TheTense@reddit

Consider a 2015+ Tundra with the v8

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AngryApeMetalDrummer@reddit

Old Toyota pickups , before they called it Tacoma. The Tacomas are pretty solid though. Most likely engine will fail before transmission, especially if it's manual.

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KB-steez@reddit

Manual frontier or taco.

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robbobster@reddit

Speaking from experience ..not GM.

All 3 pickup-truck transmissions - 6L80, 8L90 and 10L90 - have issues.

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Aggressive_Ad60@reddit

I have the 8L90 in my 2019 Chevy Express. Was problematic and then had a full flush done with the updated fluid spec… been problem free since 🤷🏻‍♂️

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CrankGOAT@reddit

I have a RAM. The 2024 Ford F150 R10 can take hell and plead for more. I don’t know of anything stock that’s better.

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Hersbird@reddit

Ram 8 speed.

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wpmason@reddit

NV435

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

Fully agree they're bulletproof. Shame they're so miserable.

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Octane2100@reddit

Dodge moved over to ZF transmissions and they're about as bullet proof as they come. I've owned two Dodge products with the ZF and good god they feel good too. No hunting for gears, no transmission shutter or lag. Just all around good transmissions.

Stay away from GM. I just bought a Silverado and I love the truck, but both the 8 and 10 speeds are notorious for problems. 10 speeds are worse than 8 speeds in that regard, and GM just did a redesign on the valve body on the 8, so I have a bit more confidence in it.

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MongooseProXC@reddit

My neighbor just cashed in his beautiful Suburban. Transmission was cooked.

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Nicegy525@reddit

For half tons, Toyota Tundra (V8 generations) or Nissan Titan.

For Diesel, Allison 6 speed or the dodge Aisin

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Specific-Gain5710@reddit

I’ve seen more GM transmissions fail of the big three lately, fords have more motor issues. Rams have a lot of issues but I’ve driven plenty with high mileage.

Tundras after 23 or once they get the motor recon done will be fairly Bullet proof in my opinion.

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Cranks_No_Start@reddit

I’ve seen more GM transmissions fail of the big three lately, fords

Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure ford and GM use the same 10 speed

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Specific-Gain5710@reddit

I’m not sure. . My dealership won’t take an out of warranty 5.3l in without a Carmax offer. We lost about 38k throughout 2023 through GM transmission issues, AFM issues between 5 full size GM trucks and another 4k on 1 last year. 3 had trans, 3 had engine issues, 1 had both. The last one had a camshaft issue, All these trucks had 80-110k miles. We had 1 f150 with a bad engine but it was 180k miles. Ironically, the powertrain on the 5.7l rams we traded in the last 2 years were solid

I love a GM truck too, but I have definitely had more issues now than I did in the early 2000s.

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AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Same transmission, but they have different tunes/controllers.

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ajm91730@reddit

What price range? What are your priorities? Planned use?

You'll get better, more focused answers with more info.

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Laz3r_C@reddit

New for new, assuming 1500's, Toyota's Tundra probably still wins here. Idk about the Titan. GM of the 3 americans would be my choice.

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WhipYourDakOut@reddit

Tundra was having issues I’d look into it more if that’s been resolved. Titans are as reliable as everything else if you aren’t getting the diesel and cost less. The ford 10 speed is iffy. Run away from dodge. Pre 2018 6 speed with the 5.0 or 2.7 fords are bulletproof. Same with the last gen Tundra.

This is just what I’ve gathered spending way too much time looking at truck content on Reddit lately