John Woods Day for Ruby
#1
John Woods Day for Ruby
Well dudes, this day simply rules so far. I am in the middle of watching and gaining a TON of knowledge and having a great time doing it. The old trans is out and John has spent quite a bit of time filling my head with how all this stuff works and why this new transmission is going to be pretty bombproof. First, he is a class act. His shop is really clean and organized and he knows his stuff. I'll just post some photos for now while we are on lunch. A lot more has to happen. Long story short, my old trans was going to go any day now. See for yourselves!
Out with the old
In with the new
Cracked bell housing anyone?
Triple disc billet TC
That's it for now. More later! Also got a new rear main seal, new flexplate, and all pressure washed underneath from all the leaks of oil and ATF. Looking really good so far!
Out with the old
In with the new
Cracked bell housing anyone?
Triple disc billet TC
That's it for now. More later! Also got a new rear main seal, new flexplate, and all pressure washed underneath from all the leaks of oil and ATF. Looking really good so far!
#2
#7
I managed to get a few more photos, but spent a lot of time watching and asking questions.
Uppies in good shape after 9 months
More pics crappy work from PO
Oh yeah, new skins on the rear from yesterday
Front shot of new one minus TC
Otherside view
I'll a few more here shortly as soon as Photobucket decides to quit acting up.
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#8
Shop out front
All nice and pressure washed
I did also get a new rear main seal. Might as well while its open. It wasn't leaking bad, but enough as well as the rear oil pan gasket. They have a fix for it that John says usually works pretty well. That's the silicone you see here.
Front view of purdy new billet TC
F-150 OBS in the parking lot
All nice and pressure washed
I did also get a new rear main seal. Might as well while its open. It wasn't leaking bad, but enough as well as the rear oil pan gasket. They have a fix for it that John says usually works pretty well. That's the silicone you see here.
Front view of purdy new billet TC
F-150 OBS in the parking lot
#9
#10
I wanted to write a little more about my experience. I was fried when I got home last night with info overload! Anyways, as far as John goes, he was really cool to hang out with and was willing to talk about this stuff all day even though he was very busy. He loves this stuff and I never felt like he was bothered or too busy. Trans cases are pretty much sitting everywhere either being built or waiting to be built. One thing I learned is a lot about what really goes into most "rebuilds" and what John says he does with his. For example, a lot of the big "race trans/HD trans" guys will reuse hard parts, such as drums or planetary gears, or they will get them from Taiwan/China where the metal quality is very poor. This is being on very expensive rebuilds by big name guys and its good to know what you are really getting and what questions to ask. I also got a glimpse into clutches that fail vs. the ones that don't. There are guys that are coming to John that are having $6-7K trans failures after 30k miles due to some of this malarkey. My trans got Borg Warner clutch packs with steel teeth that DO NOT fail. Some of these clutch packs are getting what looks to be smaller teeth or crappy material and they are failing prematurely. I guess one of the biggest things I learned is to know your parts and know what they are made of or where they come from.
The most important thing I learned about is that John is a machinist and he really believes in doing things right the first time. A lot of the improvements he makes to the parts out there is done by machining them himself so they perform better and last for the long haul. He didn't say he has had no failures, but the few that have come back he actually opens it up, finds the problem, OWNS UP TO IT, and fixes it right.
Anyways, that is some of my experience. I am not trying to cause a pissing match about trans builders or call anyone out. This is completely 100% MY experience and we'll see what happens for the long haul and after I pull my trailer again across the country. I do know that he has a huge attention to detail, is organized, and keeps things clean. That speaks volumes to me when I do have the rare occasion of someone else touching my truck. Also, the guy that works for him has been there for 4 years. His name is JR and he has learned everything from him. He's a cool dude and was good to talk to a lot as well. He knows these trucks. Hope this helps you guys!
The most important thing I learned about is that John is a machinist and he really believes in doing things right the first time. A lot of the improvements he makes to the parts out there is done by machining them himself so they perform better and last for the long haul. He didn't say he has had no failures, but the few that have come back he actually opens it up, finds the problem, OWNS UP TO IT, and fixes it right.
Anyways, that is some of my experience. I am not trying to cause a pissing match about trans builders or call anyone out. This is completely 100% MY experience and we'll see what happens for the long haul and after I pull my trailer again across the country. I do know that he has a huge attention to detail, is organized, and keeps things clean. That speaks volumes to me when I do have the rare occasion of someone else touching my truck. Also, the guy that works for him has been there for 4 years. His name is JR and he has learned everything from him. He's a cool dude and was good to talk to a lot as well. He knows these trucks. Hope this helps you guys!
#12
Yeah that would be a pretty fun road trip! I am guessing freight might be cheaper, but I'd just check it out and see. The education you get might be worth it by itself.
#13
Thanks Glenn. 2nd was a little touchy with my 4:10 gears, so he took the VB back out, made an adjustment, and it was pretty perfect after that. Um, I also got a hat? LOL Oh, he did look a little into my TPS issue that has been there forever, but since I have overcome the problem for the most part, he just said leave it alone. I am going to try to get back to him before we head out to get my chip re-burned for better shift points. He said he can definitely improve that as well. I think it shifts great, but he said he'll make it better and do it for no charge. I just have to see when I can get back there.
#15