Goerend Vs. Suncoast

[JCockerill]

If you lived in New York and were going to buy a built custom trans and converter, what builder would you use? they are both pretty far away so that is not going to factor into choice, and install will be handled in-house. I have just heard a lot of good things about both and trying to narrow down who is the better builder to go with. any pro's and cons of both would be helpful. thanks

 

[HBarlow]

The opinions you will receive won't be very valuable to you. Each of us who has had that experience will strongly recommend, Goerend, Suncoast, or DTT depending on which of those professional builders built ours.

DTT parts were used in mine but the transmission work and installation were done by an authorized DTT builder in Texas, far from your market. I recommend all three.

All three of those companies and their products are outstanding. I have never read a complaint about any of the three.

I would suggest you check their websites, talk to the owner, listen to his recommendations and estimated prices for what you want, and the availability of one of their authorized builders, and make your own choice.

I will say this: I would not have one of them build the transmission and ship it to you to have a local rebuilder install it. Set up of those highly modified aftermarket units is very tricky and precise and requires knowledge of their parts and how they interract with factory equipment and your truck. You could spend thousands and have some local install it and be very disappointed. Your local guy will screw it up and then blame the transmission builder unless he is a very skilled performance transmission builder.

 

[JCockerill]

I am a mechanic and do all of my own work. Both builders said I can install trans myself with no effect on warranty. Any tech support or setup could be handled over the phone or through written instruction included with trans. It seems to me that goerend is a smaller builder that truly custom builds every trans for each customer and they specialize in dodge. Transmissions. And suncoast is more of a commercialized big builder who builds all kinds of transmissions well. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[HBarlow]

I have no personal knowledge of either Suncoast or Goerend. My only experience was with James Northrum, a TX DTT builder. He does build for the other brands as well but he builds one at a time for his customer as wanted by the customer.

That's the only way I would want it. Didn't want an off the shelf unit.

 

[cerberusiam]

It seems to me that goerend is a smaller builder that truly custom builds every trans for each customer and they specialize in dodge. Transmissions. And suncoast is more of a commercialized big builder who builds all kinds of transmissions well.

That is a fair assessment. Garmons and Ultimate Transmissions also specialize in Dodge units behind a Cummins and are not a large commercial enterprise.

 

[JCockerill]

Cerb,



who would you use for the best cummins/dodge/48re trans?

 

[cerberusiam]

"Best" is a relative term, depends on the person and their opinion.



I would decide what you wanted them call a couple of them up tell them what you want and get a price plus their build tactics. Ultimately, you have to be happy with the cost and the build.



I would not hesitate to use either Garmon or Goerend. Don't count out DTT either as I think they may have a builder close to you in NY.



Garmon is in Georgia, Goerend in Iowa, about a toss up as freight is going to add cost. DTT may have a builder closer to you and that may make the difference.



Best advice I can give is call and talk to them.