After 170k miles, and some hard wheeling, my transmission has all the problems, and needs to be replaced. I'm removing and replacing the transmission myself, so it's a bench job for a local shop. I have a '05 TJ, stock drive train, SYE, and a 4" lift on 35" tires. I did a bunch of research and this is what I learned:
The local suppliers have solid reputations in the 4x4 community, and build King of Hammer trans. What they talked about also focused on bomb proof high power applications. I don't think I need that for an extra $1000 to $3000.
I also found a used local pull out with 90k miles for $1500.
Hopefully, this gives somebody else a bit of a head start.
Based on this research, and how I use my Jeep. I'm either going to roll the dice with a used, or buy one from Best Buy because I've seen others on this forum have decent experience with Best Buy. When I spoke with Best Buy, they seemed to have the clearest idea of their products and processes. I feel much more confident with a used now because R&R'ing the tranny is not at all a hard job given you have the right tools, including a tranny jack.
When I talked to all of the internet providers about warranty, they all hedged and placed a large number of conditions and exceptions into their language. Essentially, I get the impression that the standard of help is that "it broke inside, and is so obvious a build problem that a child could see the problem" as the standard. So, I'm not impressed with any of the warranty talk I heard. Which said to me, my choices are a local bomb proof tranny for lots of money, roll the dice on a junk yard tranny, or roll the dice on a reman tranny. All without warranty, and varying degrees of support. Honestly, these don't feel like a great set of options.
- Local reputable shops with 4x4 experience rebuilding. I have to delivery and pickup. Pricing was between $3500 and $5500. They talked about extra clutch plates, and a number of other mods to ensure the transmission would hold together. Essentially a bomb proof high HP capable 42RLE. Westminster Transmission and Orange County Transmission are the shops.
- $2500 - Reman Transmission - $2082 + $400 for residential shipping. Warranty covers a lifted jeep. They arrange shipping.
- $2400 - Best Buy Trans - $2295 + $75 residential shipping. Unknown warranty coverage. They arrange shipping.
- $2680 + Shipping - Bullripper - $2680 + arrange own shipping. Warranty cover applies. You arrange shipping. After speaking with them, it's still unclear if the price of $2680 includes a refundable core or not. Website says yes, guy on phone was unclear after chatting with them. So, this could be $2080 + arrange own shipping.
- $2500 - Street Smart - $2302 + $200 residential shipping. Warranty does NOT cover lifted jeep. They arrange shipping.
The local suppliers have solid reputations in the 4x4 community, and build King of Hammer trans. What they talked about also focused on bomb proof high power applications. I don't think I need that for an extra $1000 to $3000.
I also found a used local pull out with 90k miles for $1500.
Hopefully, this gives somebody else a bit of a head start.
Based on this research, and how I use my Jeep. I'm either going to roll the dice with a used, or buy one from Best Buy because I've seen others on this forum have decent experience with Best Buy. When I spoke with Best Buy, they seemed to have the clearest idea of their products and processes. I feel much more confident with a used now because R&R'ing the tranny is not at all a hard job given you have the right tools, including a tranny jack.
When I talked to all of the internet providers about warranty, they all hedged and placed a large number of conditions and exceptions into their language. Essentially, I get the impression that the standard of help is that "it broke inside, and is so obvious a build problem that a child could see the problem" as the standard. So, I'm not impressed with any of the warranty talk I heard. Which said to me, my choices are a local bomb proof tranny for lots of money, roll the dice on a junk yard tranny, or roll the dice on a reman tranny. All without warranty, and varying degrees of support. Honestly, these don't feel like a great set of options.
