Need a great transmission rebuilder in Austin, Tx

[octanejunkie]

Joe Joe gets hundreds of requests a day and is often buried in email, text and FB messages... I often have to ping him twice+ and I know him personally lol

If you are not comfortable working with him, then don't, but his quotes have typically been all-inclusive (I did not see it)

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[mtbtim]

Update: So it gets more interesting between these two choices (Yota1 and Joe Joe).

So yesterday, Yota1 calls and emails to say they had not weighed the trans well and its gonna cost more to ship, now total cost is $3531.99.

I sent Joe Joe an email asking if estimate ($3470.82) included Shipping and what about Core? No responses. So despite the 'high' ratings on here, I can't say I have a warm and fuzzy about sending that much money to him.

I kinda feel Yota1 should have been just a little more accurate on ship cost and not just thrown a number out there that wasn't even close ($300 vs 820) so I'll look around A town again and if nothing, Yota1 will be it. Thanks everyone.

Yeah, I agree Yota1 should have given you an accurate shipping cost. That is a big difference from the original quoted price.

Unless Joe Joe gets more help, there's no way he can keep up with how many people order from him. From what I know, Toyota does help with giving parts quotes, answering questions, and shipping the product, but it's obvious he needs more help.

 

[mtbtim]

Joe Joe gets hundreds of requests a day and is often buried in email, text and FB messages... I often have to ping him twice+ and I know him personally lol

If you are not comfortable working with him, then don't, but his quotes have typically been all-inclusive (I did not see it)

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No way Joe Joe's quote included the core charge, Unless, Toyota doesn't want it back, which could be the case, since Toyota isn't remanufacturing them anymore.

 

[octanejunkie]

I just PMd Joe Joe's # to [MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION]

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[Romeo1]

Have you checked with any local outfits? I’d probably shy away from jasper stuff, but surely there’s someone local to ya that won’t be out a month out.

 

[jgue467]

Have you checked with any local outfits? I’d probably shy away from jasper stuff, but surely there’s someone local to ya that won’t be out a month out.

Yup - went to 4 Toyota specialty shops in austin today, all said they don't rebuild trans, they buy from toyota when available or send out to rebuild at one highly rated trans shop (Eagle in austin), so went to visit the trans shop, they said they didn't have any and would also do what I'm doing - find a common rebuilder.

So Yota1 has won, sent the $ today and they replied right away saying they'd started on building my trans and will let me know when it ships out.

Finally - WooHoo! Again - thanks Everyone, especially Tim for helping to point me in that direction.

 

[jgue467]

Yeah, I agree Yota1 should have given you an accurate shipping cost. That is a big difference from the original quoted price.

My bad - the Yota price includes the $500 deposit for the core, so really the shipping estimate was only off $81, sorry I totally forgot about the core so really not a bad estimate. Really, $2650 (pick it up cost) is a great price, looking forward to the product.

 

[Romeo1]

Cool. I look forward to the review.

 

[Bad Luck]

My bad - the Yota price includes the $500 deposit for the core, so really the shipping estimate was only off $81, sorry I totally forgot about the core so really not a bad estimate. Really, $2650 (pick it up cost) is a great price, looking forward to the product.

Did they include a prepaid label to ship the core back or is that additional?

 

[jsnppp]

Great to hear this all. While I don't need a rebuild yet, it's good to know what to do.

I'm in Austin, too, so that also helps it be relevant to me. I have no problem with shipping a transmission to a shop that knows what to do with it.

Jason

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION], Big shoutout for thread. :beer:

I've been looking at Yota1, interested in hearing any you have to say from here on out.
01 225k cold fluid in gear whine @ 70*F on fresh fluid exchange it coming for me.

 

[jgue467]

Octanejunkie - Thank You very much for trying to steer me right - sometimes I doubt myself on not taking that route but not final on that yet.

Bad Luck - Yes a prepaid return is included. They will freight ship on palet, I'll call them when old trans is on palet for pickup.

Called Yota1 a couple days ago, front desk said trans was done and ready to shipout. Said they'd call when it did to provide estimated arrival, no call yet so I'll call tomorrow.

Done a complete OEM suspension refresh using '99 highlander springs/struts/shocks, not driven yet but boy is it taller. Old original bushings either had large cracks or were missing large chunks, this should feel really good. Didn't add up all the costs but they were plenty even as I shopped around. Hopefully trans shows up next week and I'll be wheeling out to the deer lease next weekend, more to come.

 

[jgue467]

I have a call into Yota1 < Yota1 Performance Engine & Machine - Your Toyota needs all in one place! > out of Riverbank, CA (nearish Stockton/SF area) about what to do next.

Edit: Spoke to Nick, he said they can send the plate/gasket/bolts out or we could make one or swap tailends. We chose having them send the plate/stuff.

We'll install new trans and put part on after it arrives, need to get this vehicle out of the way.

 

[brillo_76]

Progress. Slowly but surely

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[jgue467]

After 2 days of waiting for the 'official' tail end top plate, we made one.

Replaced transmission mount with new OEM. Installed transmission, new Magnefine filter before fluid entering coolers, Hayden 699 cooler in-series after radiator cooler, new Denso radiator, OEM cap, Toyota red coolant, OEM thermostat and OEM heater control valve, filled with Toyota TIII fluid and tested.

Runs very smooth, firm yet not harsh 1-2, just like OEM and gentle 2-3 and final 'shift' into OD. Took it easy first day and now have driven at highway speeds while climbing hills where I could turn OD off, handles it very well.

I can now tell old trans was 'sluggish' 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, this one feels like I'd shift a Porsche manual, fast, smooth and accurate with a quick power take off in next gear.

Old trans fluid was changed just last summer, it came out Black and had many tiny chunks. Tried to remove TC from old trans, it was stuck solidly in place - its bearings must have failed and it glued itself in place. Despite this, it would still shift and run with occasional noises like marbles inside of it. It lasted 338, 861 miles, RIP.

Yota1 < Yota1 Performance Engine & Machine - Your Toyota needs all in one place! > out of Riverbank, CA (nearish Stockton/SF area) provided great service and product, highly satisfied. They are super busy so a wait may be in order. Mine was essentially a wait from Oct 25 to Dec 27, it was worth it.

My Runner only gets about 5-6K miles of us per year (mostly for deer lease travels and some DD) yet I'm going to try to increase that. I plan on annual drain/fills for this transmission.

While we were at it we aimed for a suspension refresh, we swapped out all shocks/springs (blue/yellow & yellow/red) using new '99 highlander 'talls'. Also replaced all bushings, many were quite a pain to R&R, some were easier, LBJs with new bolts + protector boots, upper ball joints and rear upper control arms. Then took it in for a 4 wheel alignment, toe in was significant - feel great now.

Here's a pic of how it sits now, the change in driving characteristics is night and day - even that doesn't describe it. More car like and less truck like. The off-road tests come next.

 

[brillo_76]

Oh man. I could have sent you a plate if I knew you needed it..

Glad to hear that transmission is working properly and better then your old one.

Thanks for the update. I was waiting to hear the results.

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[mtbtim]

[MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION], you misspoke in your last two posts. It's not "Toyo1", it's Yota1 or more accurately Yota1 Performance. I just want anyone finding this thread to know who you got your transmission from.

Nick and his wife Rebecca run a good business. They're not perfect, but they're pretty damn good.

Yota1 Performance Engine & Machine - Your Toyota needs all in one place!

 

[jgue467]

[MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION], you misspoke ...

Yota1 Performance Engine & Machine - Your Toyota needs all in one place!

mtbtim - Thanks for catching my dyslexic mistake of the day!

Minor update: Drove about 150 miles today, with about 40 of that being off-road in 4wd, partially in 4Lo. Smooth shifting up and down, held in 2nd in 4Lo when starting there. Always very quite. On way home, using OD override seemed much quiter than with previous oem trans. Temps after 1.5hrs of driving stayed between 145 and 185 with those 'higher' temps only being seen for a few seconds, then quickly back to mid 160s.

 

[jgue467]

Jan '23 Update: The good - transmission from Yota1 is working very well. Have about 800 miles on it so far. Only once while traveling slowly in town wiht little throttle did a slightly harsh 1-2 shift occur, that worried me. It never did it again, with nothing but smooth shifts up and down.

Now here is another Plus. Fuel efficiency has gone Up dramatically. Previously even on Full highway driving, the best it could achieve was upper 14s/lower 15s, the other day it broke 17!! So clearly something was very wrong with my old trans, it shifted smooth until it last day but the T-converter would not move at all when removed it, weird.

Now for the not so good. Toyo1, while they do a fantastic job on the trans, are not so good administrative wise. Over the 2 months I waited, I patiently would only call for an update every other week. Each and every time someone in the back answers, says they need to go to the front and then returns saying no one is available, will leave a note, they'll call you back.

No one Ever calls back. Now it gets even better. The old trans is still sitting on the pallet even though I've called 3 times since Dec 27 for them to come get it. They said they'd ship a label. I called last week, lady sounded super busy and said, "Sorry I forgot, I'm gonna write this on my hand so I remember". That was 9 business days ago. I would like my $400 back yet I this point I don't think its going to happen and that will be a write-off.

So if it goes this route (1 more call today), then I cannot recommend this Yota1 outfit anymore. Look around your own area instead, Luck all.

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for the follow up much appreciated [MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION], maybe [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] will see your post and make a phone call for you.
Mine is still rolling along no worse no better, been looking local have gone as far as jumping in both feet and doing it myself.
96Red was same color scheme with chrome bumpers by far best color, yours looks great.
Let us know if you will 12 months down the road how things are. Best to you.