This sucks... 90 miles from home and the trans finally let go. Started refusing to go into lock up yesterday, then started shuddering, slipping and refusing to shift out of 1st today. Almost didn't make it back to my gramps place. So what would you guys do....Stock replacement/rebuild for less $$$, an upgraded unit from a local builder, or a full trans from Suncoast/DTT etc? #6 plate, BHAF and straight pipe are the only bombs for now...Leaning towards the second choice for now...A Suncoast Tranny is $2500, with the convertor at $1300. Which totals about $3700 more than I can afford. This soooo sucks ass.
Bummer how many miles?? I like the idea of having a local builder upgrade it like Bobby did. you will get nearly the same result for quite a bit less money. Where are you located??
If it matters to you or not, I could get you in touch with the guy that did my trans. He has connections to generic performance parts that are basically the same thing as the big names. He can get a larger single disk converter with the big steel backing plate (thats what I opted for) and two triple disk converter options that can handle BIG power. He does his own valve body mods (love mine, shifts nice and firm with my foot at 1/2 throttle or more, soft shifts with light throttle). His internal performance rebuild kits are also stronger than a stock rebuild with a different material and more clutches in the packs. Price is very resonable, probably between 3.5K-4.5K out the door installed and a warranty. I priced the Suncoast trans myself, it was 5.5K+ all said and done. You probably aren't interested in my trans guy but I wouldn't feel right if didn't at least mention the cheaper route I took, to you.
Here is what I learned from my experience with 700R4's. Either swap it out or pay the big bucks and do it right the first time. Pay to get the built tranny now instead of paying the 2-3K for the budget tranny and then the 5K for the built tranny when the budget tranny lets go on you in a year or two. I have been threw several 700R4's at about $600-1000 each and if I would have done it right and got a bowtie overdrive for the extra $600 I probably would have saved alot money in the end. Now that I have spent more money then I care to mention on 700R4's I have a TH400 sitting in the garage waiting on a rebuild and the current 700R4 to die. Harley
Joe, I would say it totally depends on how long you plan on keeping the truck, and how many more mods you plan between now and the time you replace it. It doesn't make sense to drop a bunch of money into the trans, only to sell it soon and move up to a newer truck.
I wouldn't mind having this guy's number if I ever decide to upgrade my transmission... does he do 48RE's as well?
Truck has 174k miles...Surprised the trans has lasted as long as it has. After thinking about it for a day or two, I think I'm just going to get a stock rebuild unit, or have this one rebuilt to stock specs, and sell the truck. It's not exactly the truck I wanted anyways...2 wheel drive and auto trans. If it were 4wd, I'd prolly keep it and invest in a full on Suncoast or DTT. I'm gonna start lookin for a '98 12v quad cab 4x4 with the 5 speed. Found a few on Autotrader awhile back. And Bobby...why didn't you do the labor yourself? I'll be pulling mine myself and reinstalling whatever new trans I get myself. $4500 is ALOT of cash. According to the Suncoast website, It's $2400 for the trans and $1300 for the converter...$3700 total. Where did you come up with that additional $2k?
1.All that stuff needs to be tested correctly before it leaves the shop. The pressures need to be tested with it in the truck to make sure it is in fact working properly and the valve bodies in these trucks are still mechanically controlled, they tailored the VB to my specs and had to test it before I picked it up. They actually removed the VB and lowered 1st to 2nd as it was shifting at 3,200RPM's at full throttle. 2. The shop gives a better warranty if they install it, that way they know it's done right. 3. My truck is under warranty, the service contract people would have laughed at me if I said "I'll put it in myself." They footed the R&R anyway. I don't remember the details exactly on the Suncoast option I looked at. I do remember the shop wanted $1k to assemble the Suncoast version and do the R&R. I think that also included a billet input shaft too, which drove the price up. I was in a different situation than you are in. My truck is covered under warranty and I was able to work with the shop that did it, they charged the warranty for a stocker and I paid the difference for the better converter and other miscellaneous stuff. If I was in your shoes I would be more apt of doing the R&R myself, getting the trans built for $3K or so with Axiom part, and still save a chunk over the big names.
If you're keeping it do it right and spend the $. However, if you look around a bit you may be able to get what you want for less. I paid $2750 total including R&R, dual disk tc/custom vb/full performance rebuild that shifts exactly how I wanted - firm - very firm. Like RJF, if you find a local guy you can get a build tranny for less.
I sell Suncoast stuff, and install is not hard. For a full overhaul, well, lots involved. I am doing a Converter and Valve Body on my 06, so easy stuff. If you want suncoast stuff, I'll hook ya up. Let me know!
Forgot about this thread. My gramps paid to have the trans rebuilt and a "triple disk" torque converter isntalled. Was $1200 for the converter and $1600 for the rebuild and install. $2800. Then he bought the truck. I'm done with the truck and the stupid bitch that owned it. Thank god.
I have no idea what brand it was to tell the truth. Gramps took it to a local shop, they told him as far as converters went, there was "good, better and best". He went with "best". I just looked at the reciept to see what they did and what went into it. I didn't have any input into what happened to it...Didn't/don't really care. Women can make ya not care about alot of things.
I'm sure it's good stuff, it might even be Axiom like what I have, which is very popular with shops as a replacement for the stock stuff. Glad he got the triple disk, kind of wish I would have done the same instead of my HD single disk, but oh well.
