I am in the beginning stages of upgrading my 48re. I have pretty much decided to buy the parts from Goerend and have them locally installed here as I think that route will save me a fair amount of money. I have found one guy that is suppose to be VERY good with the 48re. Just to replace the TC and VB, along with a couple of seals and a new band, he said he will do it for $500. I thought that sounded a little on the high side, but even still I could afford a better transmission by having him do it as opposed to ordering it already built. Normally I'd just have it build to the hilt and shipped to me but I am going to be ring shopping in the coming days, so funds are tight. I'm trying to get the most for my money..What do you guys think?

 

When it comes to the trans its better to do it right the first time. Im a little confused at your post, but if I had the option to have it built by Dave and shipped vrs having a local guy just install Daves parts to me its a no brainer. Unless this guy comes highly reccomended from Gorend, I would have Dave do it and ship it to you already built.
I had a well known local guy build my trans for over 3K, and in less then 6 months and a ton of issues I had it removed and my DTT installed. I dont care whos trans you use make sure whoevers parts you use reccomends the builder, or have them build it and shipped to you. As far as $500 to remove your trans install a new converter, seals, valve body and a band doesnt sound bad. But hey I live in Norther VA, one of the more expensive places to live so everything here is expensive. Good luck, Rye.

 

I think you should get all your truck mods done before you buy the ring.....kind of like a prenumptual agreement! :-)

I'm getting DTT Trans parts done by a recommended local installer.

 

you're closer to Dave Goerend than I am, and I'm having him install the parts. I just wouldn't want to pay the money for the good stuff and have someone else unfamiliar with how it works take the chance on messing it up or having adjustment issues. whats your tolerance for risk?

 

My theory is that although Dave may know his stuff, there's probably thousands of other guys who know their stuff too. I have a hard time believing that a guy who has worked on Dodge transmissions day in and day out for years doesn't know enough about them to install a TC and VB and that a approved installer is the ONLY person who can get it right.

It's funny to me, because it really depends on who you ask as to what answer you get. I have had some transmission experts give me a totally different opinion then what you get on these forums where everyone kinda likes to agree with the vendors just because it's the cool thing to do...I have heard more than once of people spending 5-6K on a built transmission only to have it take a quick dump over some issue that even a novice tranny guy would know how to prevent, so who do you believe?

I guess the bottom line is that I'm buying a product, and that's where it ends. I would like to think the product is what counts. If I have to drive a few hundred miles to have something installed "correctly" then what's the point? I want to have it done right, but I sometimes think people tend to over-analyze things. I would just like to have a better transmission for as little $$ as possible. However, just like I have learned before, these trucks are almost best left stock because once you change one thing, you have to change 5 other things.

 

when I started looking I had a local place quote me over 1500 to put parts in my tranny. so I dont think 500 would be that bad to install a converter and v/b and other goodies. I dont trust just anybody to do the work on my truck either. when im paying for it I wont someone who knows what they are doing. you could put about 3500 worth of parts in it and make it very strong. hts has the stock clutches in there 05 that has 600rwhp. thats pretty impressive. you do the right upgrades and it will hold alot is my point

 

At the end of the day do what you want, but Im telling you if you dont like paying for things twice contact whoever you buy your parts from and ask them who should install it in your area. You may have to drive 5-6 hrs but its worth it. I had a local guy that people come from all over the country to have him build powerglides for drag racing. Knows everything about transmissions. Alot of local diesel guys are running his stuff. And the word on the street is he makes one awesome 48re, and when hes done its bulletproof. Well yes their are alot of guys that can build a good trans. But once I seriously bombed my truck his trans was slipping all over. After many trips back, to make ajustments I went another route. $3500 and nothing to show. Had a real diesel big name trans installed and my DTT can handle anything my truck can put out. I never planned on bombing my truck, and many dont. But then it ends up happening anyway. Its much better to go all out with your trans first that way you have room to grow and no worries. Sure you could have a local guy who says he knows his stuff do it, but I wouldnt and I say this from experience. My check book will tell ya doing trans work twice can add up to over $10,000.00 quick.

 

coolslice, I hear what you're saying.. there are lots of skilled transmission techs out there. But you're not buying their parts package. Dave has assembled the right parts to do the job, which is why you're buying it in the first place, so having someone install it thats not familiar with that particular combo of parts just means that there may be some trial and error involved (at your expense) to get any adjustments worked out. then again there may not be any problems at all.

All I'm saying is that you can guarantee Dave knows how to install his own parts. You can't guarantee another installer will know how to get it all installed and working just right on your first visit.

I probably wouldn't take DTT or ATS trans parts to Dave for the same reason. Yeah he could probably figure it all out and get it working, but maybe not right off the bat.

 

I think $500 is a good price for the labor. Most transmission shops around here charge $350 just to pull and reinstall a transmission with no other work done to it. A valve body change is an hour or two of work, then the seals and bands... very fair price to me.

I agree with the above though, Id rather have the guy who does this day in and day out build my transmission. I have a transmission mechanic buddy that has built transmissions for 24 years and even he will tell you the same thing...have someone that does it all the time rebuild the thing. I wouldnt take him a transmission from a big rig... I wouldnt take him my 48re either. If I had a th350, 4L80E or a T5, it would be him. That being said...if this guy does 48re's all the time... give him a shot

 

ryethomas I agree with you on that also. I bought the best stuff I could buy and dont regret it. but it was expensive. I learned my lesson my 05 by going with a cheap clutch and it had to be redone a couple times. If I bought the best the first time, I may still have the truck. this time I wanted the best