85 F-150 transmission

I tried searching the forum before posting, but I didn't find what I needed, sorry if this has been addressed before.

My husband has a 1985 F-150, the transmission has been "slipping" as he says for a few weeks, and now it will only go in reverse.

Is the only solution for this to get a new or rebuild the transmission, or are there other possibilities? Or is it not even worth doing all of that? He has another truck but would like to keep this one also just because he has had it for so long. Oh and I don't know if it matters but he has a v-8 engine and it is NOT 4-wheel drive.

Thank you for any input :)

The transmission is dead. It will cost you between $1200 - $3000 to have it rebuilt. Being not four wheel drive, I would either sell it for parts, or use it for parts on the other one. But this is a personal choice. I do know that the truck will not have a high enough book value to make it worth fixing in that aspect, but if your husband loves the truck, then that would make a wonderful Christmas present from you to him having it redone for him. A rebuilt tranny should last another 75,000 miles, and could go way beyond that.

Hello there,
I also have an '85 F-150 and wanted to add my two cents. I definitley feel that it would be worth it to keep the truck. Yes, a new/rebuilt trans is pricey, but you may also want to consider finding a u-pull-it salvage yard. Fortunately I have access to 2 of them here in the Evansville Indiana area. They only charge $30 to $60 to go pull it yourself. Quite a considerable savings.

This may also be a good time to upgrade to a better transmission, as this is something that I'm also looking to do. I prsently have the C6 which is denoted by the K code on the sticker in your door jam. So I'm waiting to find one here with overdrive at the salvage yards. For some reason though I cant remember the correct letter code. It's in one of my other posts at F-150.net. if you really need it.