BTS trans?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Vacaville, CA
thanks CrewCab. as i slowly think this decision through its nice to have like minded folks push me in that direction. all the shops out there say they can do it, but as you mentioned not much of a warranty comes with it. i could always drop it and attempt the rebuild myself but i just don't have the tools or the best means to accomplish the work. the HD4R100 sounds good but again, the dealership *shudders*... going there gives me the shudders. i'm not sure what Brian has to offer in the way of shipping one out to CA. i'd rather drive out there and have it all done right there in his shop.
thanks for your input!
thanks for your input!
In your case, being over on the Best Coast, I would give John Wood a call. He and BTS are pretty much one in the same, both master builders, one is on the east coast and one here on the west. John is out of Southern California, out in the desert near El Centro.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
thanks CrewCab. as i slowly think this decision through its nice to have like minded folks push me in that direction. all the shops out there say they can do it, but as you mentioned not much of a warranty comes with it. i could always drop it and attempt the rebuild myself but i just don't have the tools or the best means to accomplish the work. the HD4R100 sounds good but again, the dealership *shudders*... going there gives me the shudders. i'm not sure what Brian has to offer in the way of shipping one out to CA. i'd rather drive out there and have it all done right there in his shop.
thanks for your input!
thanks for your input!
You might be able to find an approved vendor to install a BTS if that's what you wanted, near you. Again though JW has just as much reputation as BTS. I know there are quite a few shops that sell BTS's so you might find one local. That's why there is such a long waiting period. BTW, still 2 months away from my build date
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Or being shipped to you?
EDIT: Nevermind I see in another thread you are headed to BTS(Brian's Truck Shop) not John Woods Automotive.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
I would never use a local trans shop they don't have a clue when it comes to knowing what the weaknesses are of a 4r100 and wouldn't know how to make it hold up to what a 7.3 is going to put it thru. Even if they are good at rebuilding transmissions.
Now John Woods and BTS build the best 4r100 you can buy and they know the 4r100 like you know the back of your hand. Now the 4r100HD is a good trans it just doesn't have all the cool billet and hardened parts that JW and BTS put in their trans. But the 4r100HD does address all the main design weaknesses.
Now I built my own and spent about $1500 in parts. And I priced the parts that Brian/ BTS puts in his trans at over $3000 in parts. And about the same for a JW. So actually their prices are actually very fair when you consider the parts they use.
Now John Woods and BTS build the best 4r100 you can buy and they know the 4r100 like you know the back of your hand. Now the 4r100HD is a good trans it just doesn't have all the cool billet and hardened parts that JW and BTS put in their trans. But the 4r100HD does address all the main design weaknesses.
Now I built my own and spent about $1500 in parts. And I priced the parts that Brian/ BTS puts in his trans at over $3000 in parts. And about the same for a JW. So actually their prices are actually very fair when you consider the parts they use.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
thanks CrewCab. as i slowly think this decision through its nice to have like minded folks push me in that direction. all the shops out there say they can do it, but as you mentioned not much of a warranty comes with it. i could always drop it and attempt the rebuild myself but i just don't have the tools or the best means to accomplish the work. the HD4R100 sounds good but again, the dealership *shudders*... going there gives me the shudders. i'm not sure what Brian has to offer in the way of shipping one out to CA. i'd rather drive out there and have it all done right there in his shop.
thanks for your input!
thanks for your input!
Do like I did and drive down there. Or order one through Clay at Riffraff. Or order one directly from John.
Better yet, Just call John and pick his brain.
Stewart
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 5
From: Full-time RV
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
I didn't have the option to drive to either, despite being on the east coast. I talked to both of them and have undying respect for them both. Also spent a lot of time looking for failure rates on the web. They both will take care of you if your trans ever does fail, but I'd rather it not fail in the first place. In the end, I went with John Wood, based on gut feeling and after multiple conversations with both.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
TG, now here's a thread worthy of your exclamation! 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...l#post12386535
It was bumped up yesterday, resurrected after 6 1/2 years!
Stewart
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...l#post12386535
It was bumped up yesterday, resurrected after 6 1/2 years!
Stewart
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 9
From: Wellington, Co
TG, now here's a thread worthy of your exclamation!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...l#post12386535
It was bumped up yesterday, resurrected after 6 1/2 years!
Stewart
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...l#post12386535
It was bumped up yesterday, resurrected after 6 1/2 years!
Stewart
New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
went with a local rebuild 2yrs ago because i didn't feel i had 2 months to wait for Brian to build a trans. for me.I am now waiting for Brian to build one because my local build lasted about 50'000 mi. Wish I had waited the two months then.