A few years ago after our 2000 350 K3500 Crew Cab was totaled with a bent frame we found a 93 454 K3500 Crew Cab Dualy with a 454 and because the truck was used for just pulling a race car the millage was low and clean that is the reason we got it.

Well we are now over 100K on it and the only major problem we had with it is when the trans went out. It had a bad wire harnes in it. To our shock and even Napa's and latter the dealer we found out that the truck was a special order with a heavyier duty Allison trans. At first I did a fluid change when the trans first started to act up and when I got the trans kit the gasket was about 3/4 the size of the pan I found out when I went to install it. Well I had to take the pan into Napa and they found out it was the Allison trans that did not even show as a option in that truck. When we had to get the small rebuild done on the trans we had to go to a dealer for the fix because of parts and they confirmed that the trans in that truck should not be in it but they found out it was a special order. Well the dealer told us at that time because of the engine, trans, and gear setup this truck should last a long time if we take care of it right.

Well most of my short 27 year life I have been under the hoods of Fords and I know some thing to help them last longer. What I am trying to find out is on a truck of this size and setup what are some good thing to watch out for and to make sure to do on this truck? Also what are some tips for this truck. I just want to make sure we make sure this tuck will last and for how well it tows and carriers loads I know it will cost around 40Kto replace with a new truck that can do what this one can.

Thanks for any help

I have never heard of your trans option either. The only thing I would suggest for your truck is to keep it tuned well and don't abuse it. I think you should see over 200k out of this truck with no problems other than normal wear and tear items.

That is good to hear milage wise. The dealer stated to us the guy that spec ordered this truck must have wanted the good towing trans and rear end of a Diesel but hated a GM Diesel motor so he got the 454. When contacting GM to make sure the right parts were ordered for the repair because of the weird setup is how they found out it was a special order. Even the truck through the dealer for a bit of a loop at first.