Rebuilt Trans - Which Way Would You Go?

[mtbtim]

Hey Dudes,

I'm helping [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] with some research for a rebuilt transmission. Here's what I've got so far:

IPT Performance in New Jersey supposedly rebuilds them to superior specs than OEM. You send them your trans and torque converter, they rebuild them and ship them back. After it's all said and done, you'll probably be out $3500. Standard 1 year warranty.
A340E, A340F, A340E, A341E, A340E and 30-40LE Performance Transmission

Camelback Toyota sells a Toyota remanufactured trans with torque converter for $2300. But, they don't ship. We'd have to drive from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ to pick it up. 11 hours one way. Standard 1 year warranty.

Rock Auto sells one for $1800. They ship and offer a 3 year warranty.
More Information for TRANSMISSION AUTHORITY T500954

Any input would be appreciated. We've already ruled out buying a used one so please just comments about which way to go with a rebuilt one. If you have another option I haven't listed, please let us know. Thanks!

 

[nc-grayson]

My vote is for rock auto, at those prices and warranties

 

[JayRolla]

Your local dealer does not sell a reman trans? They will usually price match online pricing.

I would go OEM reman. I have had bad luck with cheap rebuilds on some previous vehicles. Good luck!

If you do decide to go 3rd party rebuild you want to have it done locally so you can deal with warranty a lot easier. Research and find the best rated local rebuild.

 

[mtbtim]

Your local dealer does not sell a reman trans? They will usually price match online pricing.

I would go OEM reman. I have had bad luck with cheap rebuilds on some previous vehicles. Good luck!

If you do decide to go 3rd party rebuild you want to have it done locally so you can deal with warranty a lot easier. Research and find the best rated local rebuild.

I'm sure my local dealership sells them but I think it would be closer to $4000. Amanda at Camelback told me the price for the rebuilt transmission is $4000 as opposed to $2300 if you buy it at the dealership rather than online.

I've never asked if my local dealer if they'd price match an online price. It doesn't hurt to ask but I have a feeling they'll get a good laugh at the parts department when I ask them to match an online price. I'll hit them up with that question on my next day off. I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

I was thinking on my drive to work this morning that a highly rated local rebuilder was something we didn't consider yet. A quick Yelp search is in order.

Thanks for the advice Jay.

 

[mtbtim]

My vote is for rock auto, at those prices and warranties

I was leaning towards this as well but now I'm not so sure if it's the best option.

 

[amalik]

I was thinking on my drive to work this morning that a highly rated local rebuilder was something we didn't consider yet. A quick Yelp search is in order.

Thanks for the advice Jay.

Being that California is vehicle heaven (Except for smog rules), I would be surprised if you didn't have many good local trans re-builders around. Please keep us posted.

 

[ZionXIX]

Can you imagine having to remove the transmission again and ship it to new Jersey for warranty service? At least if you get something local you can drive or tow the truck there and let them deal with removing the transmission again.

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[JayRolla]

I'm sure my local dealership sells them but I think it would be closer to $4000. Amanda at Camelback told me the price for the rebuilt transmission is $4000 as opposed to $2300 if you buy it at the dealership rather than online.

I've never asked if my local dealer if they'd price match an online price. It doesn't hurt to ask but I have a feeling they'll get a good laugh at the parts department when I ask them to match an online price. I'll hit them up with that question on my next day off. I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

I was thinking on my drive to work this morning that a highly rated local rebuilder was something we didn't consider yet. A quick Yelp search is in order.

Thanks for the advice Jay.

I thought the same thing. I then did an online quote one day at my local dealer when I was at work so I could pick it up on the way home. Without asking they quoted me online pricing comparable to Camelback and no shipping. Even after tax parts are cheaper this way.

Not sure if they will match something like a trans.

 

[gamefreakgc]

My vote is not a rebuilt, but a decent mileage used unit. Will be about $1000 or more cheaper and is still warrantied.

 

[fourfive]

If my transmission in my 4runner went out I'd probably atleast look into seeing if there were any well reviewed transmission rebuilders in my area just to compare $ and weigh the pros/cons. If that wasn't an option I'd definitely go oem reman.

I've had 3 automatic transmissions go out in 2 honda accords (94 & 04) & all 3 times I went with an oem reman because I didn't have the time to research or go through the process of having the car towed to various shops for estimates. And the first time it happened I was working at an acura dealership so it was just easier going the oem reman route. 2 of the 3 transmissions went out within ~40-50k. My wife is currently driving the 04 accord with about 10k on the oem reman. Not saying the transmission issues had anything to do with it being a reman, just a different option I'd probably explore the next time around.

 

[mtbtim]

My vote is not a rebuilt, but a decent mileage used unit. Will be about $1000 or more cheaper and is still warrantied.

Sorry Jerod, but no freaking way would I go this route. You don't know what you're getting. You could luck out and get a great transmission or you could get a total piece of shit and then you just did an incredible amount of labor for nothing. If Sean was just going to unload his truck, I'd say taking the risk with a used trans would be a solid decision. But, since Sean is planning on keeping his truck for a very very long time, the used route doesn't make much sense. There's a chance the seller lied about the miles on the transmission and there's a chance the previous owner(s) didn't do regular fluid changes and prematurely aged the trans.

 

[mtbtim]

If my transmission in my 4runner went out I'd probably atleast look into seeing if there were any well reviewed transmission rebuilders in my area just to compare $ and weigh the pros/cons. If that wasn't an option I'd definitely go oem reman.

I've had 3 automatic transmissions go out in 2 honda accords (94 & 04) & all 3 times I went with an oem reman because I didn't have the time to research or go through the process of having the car towed to various shops for estimates. And the first time it happened I was working at an acura dealership so it was just easier going the oem reman route. 2 of the 3 transmissions went out within ~40-50k. My wife is currently driving the 04 accord with about 10k on the oem reman. Not saying the transmission issues had anything to do with it being a reman, just a different option I'd probably explore the next time around.

That's disturbing that 2 out of the 3 OEM rebuilds only lasted 40-50k. No bueno!

 

[mtbtim]

Can you imagine having to remove the transmission again and ship it to new Jersey for warranty service? At least if you get something local you can drive or tow the truck there and let them deal with removing the transmission again.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Good point. We're definitely going to explore the local area for highly rated local rebuilders.

 

[mtbtim]

Just spoke with my local dealer. They're pretty cool there and give me a discount. We could get a remanned transmission from them for $2725 out the door. That's $400 more than Camelback but we don't have to drive for 22 hours, pay the fuel costs and maybe a motel stay for a night.

 

[fourfive]

Just spoke with my local dealer. They're pretty cool there and give me a discount. We could get a remanned transmission from them for $2725 out the door. That's $400 more than Camelback but we don't have to drive for 22 hours, pay the fuel costs and maybe a motel stay for a night.

Um... you gonna make a diy vid on the transmission swap?

 

[Scramble]

Where's the 5 Speed swap option? :humble:

 

[mtbtim]

Um... you gonna make a diy vid on the transmission swap?

What do you think? F*ck Yeah we're going to video it!

 

[mtbtim]

Where's the 5 Speed swap option? :humble:

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] is going to have to answer this one.

 

[infamousRNR]

Where's the 5 Speed swap option? :humble:

....... do you have a manual 4wd transmission you can hand over?......


I would be totally down... but replacing an auto to a manual is something I have no knowledge of whatsoever...

Is it easy?....

 

[amalik]

....... do you have a manual 4wd transmission you can hand over?......


I would be totally down... but replacing an auto to a manual is something I have no knowledge of whatsoever...

Is it easy?....

A few here have done it. COB and others. I think it's a lot more than part swaps.