Originally Posted by bigredbrick

About 35K+ miles ago I had the 518 rebuilt. It was shifting fine but started howling - turned out to be a bearing failure in the OD section which sent debris thru the trans. All the friction materials were in good shape. Last summer I dropped the pan to check on things and change the filter and fluid before a trip pulling the travel trailer (don't do this before a trip, it only adds to the anxiety if you can't do anything about what you find!). Of course I found a bunch of metal, so I replaced the filter, buttoned it up and topped it off. We went on our trip to Yosemite - a long hard pull in 90+ degree weather - I mean a serious mother of a nasty, switchback, steep, forever kind of pull - and we made it with no problems. Same goes for a later trip to Donner Lake up I-80 over Donner Summit. Also, that howl has been increasing leading me to believe that a bearing is going to crap out in the OD again.

So here's where I need advice. Do I just rebuild what I've got? Any upgrades for the OD? Pick up a 47RH and rebuild it? Or, dump the auto and go to a NV4500? I don't have the money for a high dollar custom built trans. I'd like the mileage bonus you get with the manual but like that I don't have to row my truck to get up to speed. I also like the low speed maneuverability of the auto when parking the trailer. What do these options cost based on your experience, assuming no freebies (other people get freebies, not me!!)

Thanks for reading this long post

Originally Posted by Thunderhog

JD370, your front pump pullers are brilliant! I just love home made tools!

Originally Posted by JD730

Those are Mcmopar's, mine are much cruder looking.