My Bronco Blows Transmission While Snow Wheeling

[mitch@wildhorses]

In today's video, the WILD HORSES crew impulsively decided to head out to Bear River Reservoir to take on what was supposed to be a super easy trail. Three Broncos, a Ford Ranger, and a Jeep Cherokee make for quite a fun group. We were having an absolute blast but unfortunately, I can't seem to escape my fate... ;D like I said, this trail was supposed to be a piece of cake, but alas my transmission luck kicked in and I had to be towed off the trail. My luck with automatic transmissions is comical at this point.

Everyone is saying go manual but I don't think I want to pull that trigger! I've gotta make a decision soon though. These months have been flying by and pretty soon it'll be time for the 2021 Wheeling Season to kick off. Until then, the videos will consist of more shop work haha if you get a chance, check out this week's video! It was still a ton fun hitting the trail with great people. Let me know what you think!

https://youtu.be/i_7k4Zveemw

 

[WheelHorse]

Well, the good news is, you have a place to get parts LOL.

You had mentioned sustained high rpms...do you think you cooked it?

 

[mp]

You are making me question my new 700r4 project......

 

[BUCKWILD]

out a C6 in it and be done. You wont hurt it

 

[sprdv1]

Always something aint it....

One plus side. Good snow shots.

 

[Yeller]

You are making me question my new 700r4 project......

Lots of us running them and some are dumb hard on equipment (like me), things happen, been running mine since 2008 and its spent a lot of time at the dunes running 6000 rpm in over drive, yes I've GPS clocked it at 68mph in low range, many times;D.

Just spend the time doing the proper set up on the line pressures and it will be fine. I'm not saying Mitch did not, things happen that defy logic, its a mechanical item, things happen that shouldn't.

 

[BanditBronco]

You are not alone Mitch, 10K miles on my rig since 2009 with 3 engines, 4 transmissions and two T-cases. Ask me about mechanicals.. haha Sometimes you have to shut the shop door for a couple months and cool down, then open it back up one day and get to work. The wheeling makes it worth it.

 

[marjama]

Tough luck Mitch - just saw your video pop up in my feed this morning. The 700r4 can be built to take some pretty serious abuse. You've already done the hard work...I'd fix it!

What were you doing when it popped?

 

[mitch@wildhorses]

Well, the good news is, you have a place to get parts LOL.

You had mentioned sustained high rpms...do you think you cooked it?

Honestly, I don't think that's the case. No two month old transmission should konk out because of a few hard snow runs. I think I'm going to give the 700R4 one more shot, but this time, I'm going to take it to the shop that built the transmission and see if I can't learn a thing or two from them.

Tough luck Mitch - just saw your video pop up in my feed this morning. The 700r4 can be built to take some pretty serious abuse. You've already done the hard work...I'd fix it!

What were you doing when it popped?

Well I was actually in the passenger seat haha I had let someone else drive for a bit and we had come to a stop waiting for the vehicles in front of us to move on. We heard a knocking noise so I told him to turn it off. We did a quick once over and didn't see anything concerning so I told him to turn it back on and at that point, I had no transmission. Pretty strange stuff.

 

[toddz69]

Give that trans another chance and like Yeller said - they're very tough units when set up right. Get the pressures set right and add a temp gauge if you don't have one.

Mine has been going strong since 2007 without any issues.

Todd Z.

 

[House]

After killing them in three different Chevy’s I would never put one in a Bronco...!
But then again some people have C4 issues yet I see others run 800 hp to them with no issues!

 

[DirtDonk]

Mitch, Mitch, Mitch... hah! Not again!

But on a side note, that group shot of the trail disaster push team is not just calendar worthy, it's a POSTER shot for sure!
You need that thing blown up to lunch-room size (you know what I mean) and put up there with the others. It's a gem of a classic.
Belongs in the showroom for at least awhile, then to the wall in the lunch room.

Now here's to hoping for a longer life our of your next one!

Paul

 

[TAC71]

Sorry to hear about your transmission issues Mitch

We were given 2 feet to operate 3 pedals...

This sums it up.... LOL

 

[Tiko433]

The AX 15 is so much fun

 

[marjama]

I'll be curious to hear what the actual damage is!

I've run the 700r4 for years, but I installed back when Ford wasn't really making anything comparable that would fit. (If I remember correctly Kincade Bauer worked with AA to develop the kit...not sure he's around these days. Should be a familiar name to anyone who was on the EMBL! That may have been before you were born Mitch ;D) I've never really pushed the transmission all that hard though. Just a lot of daily driving. Need to find an old guy who really knows these 700r4's to sort it out!

 

[sprdv1]

Exactly...

Lots of us running them and some are dumb hard on equipment (like me), things happen, been running mine since 2008 and its spent a lot of time at the dunes running 6000 rpm in over drive, yes I've GPS clocked it at 68mph in low range, many times;D.

Just spend the time doing the proper set up on the line pressures and it will be fine. I'm not saying Mitch did not, things happen that defy logic, its a mechanical item, things happen that shouldn't.