good tranny shop

gamble71 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 04:17 PM

Alrighty, I'm looking for a good tranny shop in fairbanks. I took her to Phillips Field truck & auto. I have no doubt they do good work but they wanted $1700 for a rebuild and extra for any hard parts that need replaced. That's a little steep for a basic rebuild so hoping someone else has a suggestion.

Y2K350 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 06:41 PM

You might give Born-Again Transmissions a try.
Their number is: 458-7267

Tony

gamble71 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 06:57 PM

I was thinking about them but the better business bereau has a complaint lodged against em. Is the name indicative of the owner's beliefs or just what he thought was a cool name.

Y2K350 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 07:05 PM

I have no Idea where the name of the company came from.
I don't have any personal experience with them but I have heard good things from people that I work with. They are right down the road from where I work and quite often I see very reputable company names on vehicles in their lot being dropped off for repair. If they only have one complaint from the BBB I wouldn't take too much consideration into that. If they have numerous complaints I would definatly stear clear.

Tony

Y2K350 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 07:08 PM

Did you by chance give Seekins a call? I know they have a bad reputation but have have never had anything but a good experience with them. Might be a little spendy though. I like taking my truck to Ford because their mechanics are traind on Ford and probably have the most experience with them than anyone.

Tony

heavnbound · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 09:51 PM

Don't know about this one Gamble...fortunately, I've never had to have a tranny rebuild. Now an engine rebuild I can help on, but tranny work is something I have no experience with.

gamble71 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2005, 12:19 AM

well found what seems to be a good one on ebay, and not one of those $725 it's gonna last 20k and die ones either. It has to be professionally installed for the warranty so I'm also gonna install an external filter, temp guage, and another cooler while it's out. There's no core charge for this one, so I get to keep my origional as a backup. I'll have it rebuilt too, just in case.

90F350 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 02:50 PM

Gamble,
Just read your post I went to Diesel Doctor's when the tranny went out in my beast. Cost $1900 for a rebuilt one, with all the extra goodies, cause my 7.3 IDI is know to chew up trannies, installed with warranty and going to them is real nice they treat you like family, might not remember your name but they remember what you drive and the mechanics are always willing to talk to you about adding this or that and give you their opinions. My .02.

eric

Crumm · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 10:50 PM

90F350, You are the first one I have ever heard of that is happy with Diesel Doctor. I took my truck there when I did not have time to work on it and really wish i had gone elsewhere. They charged me $484.48 for a pcm that I could have bought from Ford for less than $350. They charged me $224.53 to install the pcm when it only takes about 15 minutes to install one (I have did it). They charged me $28 for a $12 glow plug, they charged me $120 for a $25 glow plug relay, they charged me $479 to install the relay and one glow plug. I cannot recommend a good transmission shop but I can recommend that you steer clear of the Diesel Doctor unless they have changed owners since late 2002. When I talked to the owner about the excessive charges he simply said that if I don't like what they charge I should go somewhere else. That is the only time I have had my truck in the shop but if I ever need to take it in again it will not be there. Since that experience I just drive another vehicle until I have time to repair it myself. Just my .02..

gamble71 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 10:28 PM

man, talk about 2 different view pts.LOL I'm now trying to find someplace to install the tranny I bought. I do 80-90% of my own work, but it has to be professionally installed for the warranty. None of the tranny shops wanna put it in cause they didn't build it and the garages I've talked to don't wanna touch it. I'll do more calling on monday, sure someone will do it. Just hate wasting the money.

Y2K350 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-26-2005, 12:30 PM

I forgot to mention Youngs gear and Driveline. They seem to be a very reputable place.

Tony

gamble71 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-26-2005, 04:45 PM

well the tranny I ordered is supposed to be here friday. Looks like Midnight sun auto&truck will be putting it in. They're at $420 plus fluid for install, about $75-125 cheaper than most and I'm running syn's anyway. I'd rather do it myself, but it has to be done professionally for the warranty. I'm also adding a second cooler and external filter. I only wanna do this once.

Crumm · #13 (**permalink**) 01-26-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamble71

I'm also adding a second cooler and external filter. I only wanna do this once.

Just thinking out-loud but should you put a bypass on that second cooler for when it is -50? I am just thinking that the transmission may never get up to operating temp if your cooling system is too efficient??

gamble71 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-26-2005, 11:38 PM

I've debated that and my decision mainly lies on the fact that I don't plan on being in alaska for for another 2yrs. I'm hoping to make it to warmer weather. I'll ask the mech. who's installing his thoughts before I give him the go ahead, after all since I've already got the cooler I can install it anytime.

Crumm · #15 (**permalink**) 01-26-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamble71

I'm hoping to make it to warmer weather.

Don't we all. For most it is just a dream..