Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Transmissions... local or "mail" order?

[Nate]

The transmission in my truck hasn't been working that great for a while now, and with the Smarty, TST and injectors on the way, I have a feeling it will die pretty soon.





My question is, would it make sense for me to buy all the performance parts, such as a tripple disc convertor, billet shafts, 48RE planteries/drums, etc and have it locally rebuilt?



I am friends with a guy that is just starting a transmission shop. He's been building transmissions "on the side" for a few years now, and demand got high enough for his work that he has been able to quit his day job. He does a great job IMO. Shoot, he rebuilt a TH350 on a picnic table in Moab with "better" parts from a scrap we found and that transmission is still going.



I'd be looking at parts/materials plus $400 in labor. Warranty would basically be "his word" type deal if it breaks while I'm still here in Idaho he'd fix it for the cost of parts.



The other option would be to mail order a transmission. I was thinking Goerend (sp?). The cost would be a bit higher. Written warranty though (which is nice)... and I'm guessing probably some "diesel trans secrets" added to the workings of the tran.



Keep in mind that I'm on a limited budget.

Opinions??

 

[MRector]

Hummmmmmmm... ... ... ... your going through the same thing that I did. I weighed my options and WAS going to buy a kit and have a dodge tech install it, but... ..... I came to the answer, I called Dave Goerend and all is well. And yes, there are many "tricks" that he does to the inside of the transmission. BTW-I was on a budget also, with my tax money(last year) and a small loan, I ordered it , and I am STILL paying on it. Well worth the $$$$.



later

Mikey Rector

 

[AndyMan]

I agree with Mikey on the Goerend. Dave is THE MAN. Nice as all get out too!

http://www.gbtransmissions.com/



Several people in our group have his transmissions. He builds them from mild to wild. You can also buy the parts from him and he will assist whomever is building your transmission over the phone with the information they need to get it done right.



Great guy, great product. Give him a call.



I'm in no way affiliated. Just a fan.

 

[Nate]

I'm going to have to do some pricing.



The one thing that is nice with doing it local is he is right here if the transmission needs fine tuning, etc. I'm not sure if it's got to be "dial-in"... or it's good to go right out of the box from Dave?



I'm going to have to give him a call after the holidays.

 

[AndyMan]

He'll do you right, give him a call.

 

[zstroken]

Call Dave and talk to him. You might even have your friend talk to Dave. I bought the parts from Dave and rebuilt 3 of them myself, with a service manual. All have held up to tons of abuse, and Dave has been more than helpful any time we had a transmission question. He has even modified some parts special for us to try out. Great guy!! Great product!!

 

[RobertP]

suncoast does well along with hts, and nadp.

 

[Allnew2Me]

I just last month did what you are speaking of. I bought the Suncoast extreme rebuild kit, flexplate, billet input, TC, and valve body. I pulled the transmission myself and took it in to a local transmission wizard for all the internals. After he finished with it I installed it and have to say it is perfect. I saved almost $500 in shipping alone for the trip out and back for a full transmission. I also had the chance to talk to the guy building it and ask questions. My experience is based upon the very important fact that I have a transmission man that is very knowledgeable and trusted. If you are at all doubtful of the abilities of local shops then it may be better to have the pros do it. I had spoken to Dave during my research phase and found him to be a great and very informed guy. The nice thing about a local shop is that if there is any issue it will be a local fix.

 

[zstroken]

The buying of the parts and having a local guy install can be a good plan. Just make sure who is going to cover the warranty. I know of someone who did what you are doing with a said vendor and since said vendor did not send him the complete transmission, they would not warranty it. The local shop did not warranty it either. It wasn't Goerend either.

 

[Nate]

I talked more to my friend and he's got a kick butt deal for me I think.



He said if I gave him a hand cleaning parts, etc he'd do it for $300 and his cost for the parts. He said he knows a guy that builds diesel transmissions for sled pullers/high hp rigs and he could get most of the parts from him.



I think I'm going to go that route. I don't have much $$ to spend, and $5000 for a transmission is ALOT of $$$.





Right now, it's slipping with anything over 1/4 throttle in overdrive. I think the lock up clutch is toast.

 

[zstroken]

You can have your friend call Dave Goerend. Dave would probably give him some building advice even if he doesn't buy the parts from Dave. I strongly suggest Daves 10 bladed stator for driving. I don't know how much weight you pull, but that 10 bladed stator was awesome. REfloyd bought my old single disk. PM him and discuss it with him. He bought it 6 months ago and last week he sent me a PM telling me how much he still loved it.