thebestofindica

Has anyone heard of Certified Transmission "road ripper" tranny? My friend is a mechanic and can get the entire transmission for $2000. Is this tranny a good one and what can a guy get a goerend brothers tranny for? Right now I'm running stock plate full forward and slipped the stocker tonight for the first time. I know that a valve body and TC would fix that, but I already have plans for a #0 or #100 plate, 3k gsk, new turbo, dv's and injectors. I want something that is built pretty good. Any ideas? Thank you

dieselrob

Call dave and talk with him he will help you with it all. I think his basic trans is 3800. i would go with parts from one of te main companys befor a little company.

thebestofindica

Thanks for the reply. That's twice the cost, is it really twice the tranny? Not trying to be smart, just wondering. Thanks

displacedtexan

I would be willing to bet that Dave has built way more CTD trannies than one of the little guys. He has the experience and proven track record. Not that the new guys on the scene can not build a good product, but I personally wouldn't want to pay to be a guinea pig.

Will the "Road Ripper" be warrantied the same? Is it truly built to hold 300-400 HP? Does the guy have a rep for standing behind his products?

Check the site rules, you can't use $ to spell profanity. Use the language you agreed to when you joined...

thebestofindica

I wasn't for a second disagreeing that Goerend builds an awesome tranny, just asking the question. If I hit a nerve there with you, I apologize. I just wanted to know if anyone had heard of their transmission. Here is a link to their site. http://www.certifiedtransmission.com...roadripper.asp There must be someone on here that has heard of them. Thanks again.

displacedtexan

I have no experience with Dave's trannies. And hope I never do. (I don't like autos)

But I was trying to point out that with the big boys you are also buying the name, and the experience and knowledge that comes with it. Sorry if it came out wrong.

I was also trying to point out that at one point Dave and DTT were the new guys. Everyone has to start somewhere...

thebestofindica

I definitely need to do some more research. I wasn't trying to take the easy route, because we all know you get what you pay for. I was just thinking since certified is 1-1/2 hours away from me in omaha, ne. I could pick it up at the factory. I will keep reading and hopefully mine will hold in the mean time. Thanks

zulusafari

Where are you in IA? I am in the Manning area.

Dave's basic tranny rebuild with converter is 3250.00, shipping extra. That includes a new triple disk Torque Converter and a bunch of upgrades, including the special VB. To add billet shafts is obviously more, but the whole package isn't too bad. I do not have any experience with the other vendor you mentioned. I too am only 1.5 hours from Omaha, so that may be a good option, depending on quality, warranty, and parts used.

thebestofindica

Zulu, thanks for the insight. Check the link in my post above for more information regarding their "road ripper" tranny line. I don't know if its easier to buy stronger valve body and TC or go with an entire tranny. Thanks

zulusafari

I checked out their site, and am confused. I have a 47RE, but they only list the 618 as an option. As far as I can tell, I am only getting a stock rebuild for $2305 shipped, and it doesn't say anything about the upgraded torque converter or valve body. I don't find an "add to cart" button for the Ripper line. I will have to call them tomorrow and find out more. I am guessing, based on the Stock rebuild price, that the Rippers will likely cost about the same as Dave Goerend's transmissions. Not a plug, just food for thought. If I can save $230 for shipping, it might be better to go to Omaha, but the $1000.00 core might make it a wash doing two trips. I will have to get more information...

Paul Winey

I would give Dave G a call and tell him what you are looking at. If your mechanic friend can turn the wrenches for you, you can get the parts from Dave for a single disk TC, VB and upgraded parts and probably still be ahead of the $2000 from the "Road Ripper". I'm also not too impressed with the language/icons in their adds. Makes me wonder really what they really are selling.

I went with a local builder too several years ago. Nice guy, didn't mislead me. Put in a heavy duty, not high performance TC. The company even told me it was good to about 330 HP. Well after I quickly exceeded that I ended up at Daves. I wish I had known about Goerend's before I dumped $2800. You'll probably say the same thing in year or two. Remember, the power is addicting. Dave will never over sell anything and stands behind his product. I think you can even upgrade on TC with him (at least ask him).

Not sure which of the three Road Rippers you were looking at but the RR1000 is a pretty mild upgrade for 100 HP added trucks and a heavy duty, not high performance tranny. As you said, you get what you pay for but why pay twice!

thebestofindica

Maybe I will just give Mr. Goerend a call and tell him what my plans and intentions are. He knows tranny's, I don't, but I'm always willing to learn from the best. Thanks

zulusafari

I looked again, and am still a bit confused. They look almost like the local AAMCO guys -- "all new parts in every rebuild." They may be something new, but they advertise just like the regular centralized OEM rebuilders out there, with special "hardened parts, where available." I think we may be looking for the Ripper 2000 or 3000, and they don't give much information on the Torque Coverters or Valve Bodies. Sounds more like a 1-size-fits-all approach for higher horsepower gas engines. The 2000 said for diesels, but I still think it is for higher reving V-8 diesels, rather than low-end torque monsters. Just my observations so far. I will give them a call and find out what they say live...

thebestofindica

Zulu,

Let me know what they say and your impressions of them. I'm interested as well, but haven't had time to call them. My friend has installed the ripper 2000 and 3000 trannies for a local concrete company. The ripper 3000 went into a 1997 3500 dually that pulls a bobcat around constantly and the 2000 went into a 99 that pulls a trailer with wheelbarrows, shovels, etc...

wildmanben

I put a road ripper in a 3rd gen the other day. Its a good tranny and Certified Transmissions is no small company either.... But its got a long way to go to be a Goerand Bros tranny. I dont think its what your looking for...