Good News, Bad News, Good News!


TBow

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Well first the good news. I went to the post office today and found a brand new Leatherman Super Tool in my mail box. Leatherman had replaced my old rusted Super Tool that I sent them earlier this week. Put a smile on my face.

Then Bad news. Got a call from the local garage where I get my vehicles fixed. My "Service Engine" light that came on yesterday was just a #8 cylinder miss fire, but the bigger problem why I took it in, was that the tranny was fried. Probably gon'na beat up a grand by the time all is said and done. It's either put a $1000 into my '98 Dodge Ram, or lookin' at $30000 plus for a new buggy! Bummer!

Then some good news. No place to drive cause the Dodge was in the sick bay, so I tackled my Income Tax. ManI hate doin' that stuff! Well after all was said and done and a few screaming and cursing sessions, I walked away with enough to pay for the tranny, maybe get myself a Primos Double Bull blind, pay a few bills and a couple other toys to boot!

Got'ta take the bad with the good I guess!

TBow

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I tell you, coming from a transmission specialist, it's gonna cost you a lot more than $1000 for a transmission. Usually used ones are nearly that price alone, then around 8 hours installation, 10 if it's 4x4. I know at the dealer I work at the labour rate is $95/hour. So there's almost another $1000 in labour, by the time you add fluid, misc gaskets and stuff, plus other stuff that breaks in the process since the truck is 12 years old, you'll probably be over $2000 for a used one installed. A new one? I know a 4L60E (GM 4-speed truck transmission) runs around $2800 for the transmission alone. Dodge transmissions tend to be more expensive than GM's. But the good thing is, if the truck is worth putting that kind of money into, the new trans will come with good warranty. I know our new ones are 3 years/160,000km warranty.

I'd just solve all the problems and get rid of the Dodge and buy a Chevy. :D

Glad you got your leatherman replaced too! I honestly didn't think they would do that.

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The Dodge is pretty much a beater, but it's paid for and really doesn't owe me anything. I was just hoping to get through to the end of this summer before jumping back into another loan. The guys at the garage I take my truck to are going to look for trannies on Monday and get back to me with a price. If it's $2K, then I'll likely just put it up for sale for parts. I may have to break out the 'ol 2-wheeler for the summer....and I ain't talkin' Harleys!

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wow you guys got some cheap machanics... tranny job is at least 3k-3500.00 here... ;) I just got 500.00 for my 02 dodge with a bad tranny.....:D:D:D

We're more expensive than that usually, for a new tranny.

Last one I did was in a 2003 high mileage Silverado

Customer wanted to see what was wrong with it, so I tore it out and tore it down to find a grenaded forward sprag clutch, teeth fell into the input planetary gearset and literally exploded, chunks everywhere, filings all through the valve body, oil pump and torque converter.

Made the estimate

New transmission - 4L60E - $2800

Fluid - $60

Transfer case adapter gasket - $50

Exhaust manifold studs/nuts - $50

So there's $2960 in parts

Labour

R&R Trans approx 9.0 hours

Tear down/diagnosis - 2.0 hours

Primary/aux cooler flush - 1.0 hour

12 hours labour @ $95/hr = $1140

$4100

add 13% sales tax = $4633.00

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Tranny rates are flat rate stupid... and i have yet to find a guy good enough to get his 12,000 mile warrenty out of it..espesally out of the 700R4 and the RL 60's

man i put that 02 on craiglist with a bad tranny and no engine oil pressure... V 10 just to get it out of the yard and had 900 calls that morning wife was happy it was gone

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