Pros & Cons of Fords SOS ?

FredFord4000

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I own a 1962 Ford series 4000 4 cylinder gas with an SOS transmission. I've heard mostly negative opinions on its
reliability and ease of repair/maintenance. I've had little or no issues thus far, (12 years of lite to moderate use). What problems should I expect or might I encounter?
 
Keep oil clean and maintenance adjustments up and you might
get many more years. Chances go up if it is one of the
swapped trannies, and was also taken care of before you got it.
 
There's a real good chance that one day it will come to a complete stop, without warning. This would indicate most likely a stripped input shaft and clutch disc splines.

Other than that, it's overall a reliable trans in my opinion. Change the oil and adjust the bands, and it will likely go another 12 years, with the possible exception noted above.
 
Read and understand service manual clearly before servicing. Ease up on full power shifts while working hard should lighten the snap on the splines. It's made it 50 years so far, good care and little luck will make it some more.
 
(quoted from post at 20:22:31 01/15/15) Chances go up if it is one of the
swapped trannies, and was also taken care of before you got it.

a 4000 does not need a swapped tranny! Even if it's a '62 4000 it had the blue transmission in it from the get go!
 
While true, I tossed it out. We all know parts get shuffled around. Might be an 871 sporting 4000 tin, we have all seen mis marked stuff. Nevertheless, if he has the new trans he's likely in better shape than with an older model of the trans.

Also not out if the realm of possible, that original late tranny died, and an earlier swap was added and original number xferred over. I have a 2000 4 cyl that has an earlier trans, yet is seemingly stamped correctly, though there is evidence of angle grinder marks in the pad.
 
(quoted from post at 10:47:48 01/16/15) A guy I worked for when I was a kid had two 5000's with SOS. They were used hard, but he kept the fluids and filters changed. They each had 10,000 hours on them at the time, and had no troubles.
Pete

Ok, thanks to all for the replies.
 
I have a 64 Ford 4000 Industrial with the SOS and the Industrial Loader on it.

Have had it for about 8 years now, never had a lick of trouble out of the transmission, just do regular fluid changes with it.

We don't overwork the tractor, but before we got our trailer, we did make a few trips from our house in town to the farm(about 30 miles) and never had any trouble.

Mostly use it for small landscape work, tilling gardens/food plots and brush cutting.

Good Luck with yours.
 

Thanks "64 frd4000ind". I am getting the idea that regular fluid changes are key to maintaining the SOS trans. I've used my tractor mostly in the first 3 or so years of the twelve yrs. I've owned it. Light landscape work (grading, plowing snow, moving large bolders). In that first 3 years I changed fluids twice, and twice since then (hydraulic). Oil has been changed pretty much every year depending on use. Hopefully I have taken good enough care of it to keep it running for a while. Thanks again for the input.
 
Regular oil changes are necessary.

The problem is the filter beneath the transmission top cover.

Unless Tony Jacobs has succedded in convincing WIX to make another lot, it is no longer available from any source.

Dean
 

While not mass produced, I wonder if a hobbiest weld or with some simple shop tools could adapt am current filter, even if it took some modding to an enclosure?

Seems doable, though perhaps labor intensive
 
(quoted from post at 10:53:44 01/17/15)
While not mass produced, I wonder if a hobbiest weld or with some simple shop tools could adapt am current filter, even if it took some modding to an enclosure?

Seems doable, though perhaps labor intensive

I think I see another article for the Nnewsletter coming.
 
(quoted from post at 01:07:51 01/17/15) Regular oil changes are necessary.

The problem is the filter beneath the transmission top cover.

Unless Tony Jacobs has succedded in convincing WIX to make another lot, it is no longer available from any source.

Dean

Can one of you guys shoot me a picture or specs of the filter in question? I know a specialty filter manufacturer that would likely run small volumes of this. I think I was going to ask them before, but forgot.

Tony - if you are reading this and you want, I can connect you with those guys. They are very knowledgeable and do produce low volume OEM products for automotive, recreational, and marine industries. This would be right in their wheelhouse. krleppert atttt gmail dottt com

Kevin
 

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