looking fora trans shop in Virginia

[JPauley]

I live in Fredericksburg VA and am looking for a shop that can swap out my auto trans with a built unit. Thinking about a complete Garmon trans if i can get it shipped economically to the east coast. Would consider other trans builders closer to me also.



Thanks.

 

[steved]

Lloyd at Atlantic Diesel could probably help. He's in mt Airy, md.

 

[JPauley]

Is Mid-Atlantic Diesel still in business. I saw some rumblings about him and his shop receintly.

 

[MrWill12]

Brian Allen at Truck Outfitters, in Richmond, VA would be worth your time talking to. He worked for Dodge for 20 years and now has his own shop. He enters tractor pulls around the area whenever they have a diesel class and has won the last 3 competitions and he runs a Goerend transmission. He estimates that he puts out about 1600lb of torque. He broke his front driveshaft in the last competition pulling a 45,000lb sled at 24 MPH and the transmission takes it.



I've been considering what transmission I would goto if I had problems and would like to replace my converter and valve body and Brian has really sold me with the strength and durabilty of Goerend.



Give him a call at eight Zero four 744 eight five six five.

 

[steved]

Is Mid-Atlantic Diesel still in business. I saw some rumblings about him and his shop receintly.

Very much in business, I was there just a little while Ago. He would be my choice.

 

[JPauley]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I called Truck Outfitters and spoke with Ben. He is passing my truck usage information to Brian Allen to work up some options for me. He said since my trans is working fine right now, that some upgraded Goerend parts may be a more economical and good solution, but that he would follow up with me tomorrow with suggestions and costs. Nice and knowledgable guy to talk with so far.



I also called Garmon and spoke with Jeff, and had a great conversation about their product and my usage and needs/wants. It's starting to sound like both the Goerend and the Garmon trans are both great choices, even if I use their components in my existing trans. From those that have been there and done that, is it usually better to get the complete trans than to have one built by a reputable shop? I am not opposed to spending an extra thousand or so now to prevent doing it over again, because I want it done right the first time and not have to mess with it again.

 

[cerberusiam]

Another option is TRE in Virginia Beach.

 

[champspa]

Crowder and Draper in Hopewell , Va. can do a great swap-out or rebuild for you

 

[MrWill12]

Pauley,



I have not replaced any parts inside of my transmission, so having said that I'm not your guy.



But here is some modest info i've obtained by listening.



Hate to say what i've heard from a mech rather than being the mech, but a dodge mech at the dealership told me that the engineering control specs on dodge transmissions parts were not exacting enough for him to simply replace one part and then to put it back together and think that everything was going to be okay.



I guess you can hope the quality control on the aftermarket single replacement parts is better. They probably are.



I've heard good things about TRE as well. Haven't talked to them though.

 

[cerberusiam]

From those that have been there and done that, is it usually better to get the complete trans than to have one built by a reputable shop?

No, unless you have money to throw away. For the most part, the 48RE is a solid trnasmission that really needs very little replaced and tweaked to make it a great unit.



How much you spend is directly related to how much you want to beat on it. Period. $2500 in parts and $500 to assemble and you have a SOLID unit if you get the right parts and the builder knows what he is doing.



If you want to spend $5k thats all right also and you have a lot more head room to work with.



Decide what you want them talk to a local builder that can and will support you if there are problems. Not that Goerend or Garmons are bad in the support area but you have to get them on the phone first and explain and translate what you feel is wrong. A local cna usually be grabbed and shown the problem.



I would ALWAYS go local if possible. Keeps your money working where you live.

Hate to say what i've heard from a mech rather than being the mech, but a dodge mech at the dealership told me that the engineering control specs on dodge transmissions parts were not exacting enough for him to simply replace one part and then to put it back together and think that everything was going to be okay.

Of course not, and he doesn't get paid much for replacing 1 part, the dealership doesn't get paid much for replacing 1 part, Dodge doesn't make anything on 1 part. Begin to see the pattern here?



In one aspect he is correct, the OE QC specs are not that great, usually on the high side. However, for a stock unit they will run with no issues on the high side. Whne you worry about the specs and consistentcy is when you start pushing the power and the hard use. THEN it makes a difference.



On a stock unit, he is angling to pad his pocket at your expense. The 48RE is a solid transmission despite its challenges created by Dodges NVH initiatives. Unless you just run it way too long replacing a few pieces works quite well.

 

[GOlsen]

Another option is TRE in Virginia Beach.

x2. Tim did mine. Great guy to deal with.

 

[JPauley]

cerberusiam,

Thanks for the tips. No money to just throw around here, I just want it done right the first time. Is there a good source to find the right parts?

 

[cerberusiam]

Is there a good source to find the right parts?

The builder you choose should have as good a source as any of us and maybe at better prices. Most of these guys, like Loyd and Tim, that have done the diesel transmissions know the shortcomings and what parts to replace. Good luck.

 

[JPauley]

Thanks for the replies. This is my first venture into a Dodge automatic transmission (I have always had 5 or 6 speed Dodge diesel trucks). That NV5600 was a beast and took everything I ever threw at it, and so did my NV4500, with stock clutches too. Looks like TRE is closed this week for the Labor Day holiday. I'll try to follow up with them next week. I have also been talking with Jeff Garmon since I started this post, and he is helping me understand what I may and may not need too. I also talked to the folks out at Goerend and they are working with Truck Outfitters to figure out a cost for me to have their parts put in my transmission locally.

 

[cerberusiam]

Looks like TRE is closed this week for the Labor Day holiday.

He is probably trying to pick up the pieces the Irene blew around. Plus the Holiday too.

 

[JPauley]

Good point on Irene. They got hit a lot harder then we did up here in Fredericksburg VA. 20 miles east of us is were the damage started to get more severe. Virginia Beach really got hit hard with this one.