I think I already know the answer but I can't help myself. I'm in the midst of making a decision of which transmission to go with and I've narrowed it down to these two. If I could afford BTS I would surely go with that one but the few extra hundred dollars really takes out of range for me. Ed has been super in getting me the info I need and John has been good about taking some time to talk with on the phone. I think both transmissions are going to be a good investment but as always I want the best I can afford. I tow a TT @6600 dry and loaded around 8K. Gonna DP tune when the transmission issue goes away. This is JW's standard everyday towing tranmission.
This place is great for sound advice, thats why I'm a member.
Give me your opinion.
Glenn

 

U cant go wrong with either, but if it was my choice, John Wood would get my business. he will take care of u

 

John woods will build you what you need. If I had the cash I'd go that way.

 

If you are near JW, I would also go with his Towmaster Transmission. I also spoke with John on the phone when mine was going out, he is the one who suggested I go with the HD4R100 as I did not have the time to allow the trans to be built and shipped, before a long trip with the trailer. I thought it was pretty cool he offered up the idea as even the local dealer's (not Ed) didn't even know about the HD4R100 at the time.

Besides, if you want JW is a DP Tuner dealer IIRC, he can hook you up all the way around!

 

Yeah I was there on a test and tune day when he was installing dp tuners and adding changing tunes with Jody.

 

I'm very interested in which one you choose & why. I've got 185k on mine & tow a bit more weight than you so I'm thinking I'll have this question to answer sooner than later. I'd just say to go with the best you can afford but the more I think about it I don't know if the Ford trans is bested by the others with the service I'm getting out of mine. For sure I don't know enough about trans to make a judgement & I'm sure the JW or BTS are not a joke but it's a pile of money (to me) that we are talking about. Good luck with your decision & hope it all works out good for you.

 

This is a no-brainer.

John custom machines several hard parts within the trans and has parts cryo treated. The torque convertor he uses is beefed up and upgraded too.

Hands down, any JW build will blow away a factory HD trans.

Stewart

 

I am with Stewart, JW trans, sorry Edmo!!

 

When the 'mods' get into the Thousands of Dollars, it is good to research it from every angle.


My sig line tells you my choice. Money, I believe well spent. I drive in several different applications so it fits the bill. (and burns the tires)

 

It is a known fact that people who have been in this predicament and tried to save a few dolloars with the HD4R100 or another "beefed" up trans other than BTS or JW, ended up spending more money in the long run and wished they would have gone with a BTS or a JW over the others. Take advice from those of us who recommend the JW or the BTS and go with one of those two. it will be the BEST decision u ever make. even with a stock truck i think either one of those two transmissions would be worth it

 

Given i'm probably going to trade her in about 18 monthes I will probably go with the Ford HD. I'm saying this with some trepidation but I think it will suit me fine for 1-2 more summers of towing. If money wasn't the issue then it would be either JW or BTS but it is and my truck is not heavily modded so I think I will be fine. I got 11 years out of the original.

 

definitely if u are trading it in, then the HD is for u

 

If you are going to trade it off, why put the HD in, doesn't ford have a cheapo depo model that will still be under warrenty by the time you get rid of it?

 

This logic makes a lot of sense to me.

 

When my trans took a dump, I had to go will stock OEM cause I couldn't afford either(HEAVY DUTY) one.


so what is best for you is the way to go.