Well my stocker is finally starting to get slushy and I'm gonna be buying a built tranny soon. What are your opinions on the diff. options available? I've been leaning towards an ATS stage 4 kit. Comes w/ the tranny, tqc, deep pan, billet shaft, flex plate, and co-pilot. I like all that comes w/ the package and the 150,000 mile warranty that is tagged on as well. I've also been considering NADP or Suncoast but it's hard to find any real information on either of these compared to the press the ATS has. Opinions please. Thanks

almost forgot, 04.5 4wd. pulling 20K+ often

 

I've been doing a lot of the same research too on the same subject. You don't mention where you are from as this may have a lot to do with your decision too. What you will get is a lot of opinions based on real world experience for the Goerends, DTT, HTS, Suncoast, etc. Hashing all this out, I have come to the conclusion that while ATS makes a fine product, and understanding your thread is best tranny for $$$, ATS is overpriced for what you get. Read some of the threads where ATS decided not to honor the 150,000 mile warranty for whatever reason too. Where I have read threads where Dave Goerend has honored his work above and beyond what maybe he would be reasonably expected to. I do not have or have not personally experienced any of these trannys, though... that is my full disclosure statement. FWIW... I am hoping to retrofit an Aisin in mine, but otherwise have been leaning toward Suncoast for a combo of quality of build, price, engineering and experience. That is not a slight against any of the others though.

 

Also, don't be overly swayed by slick advertising and false promises...

Read any thread regarding Banks and you'll understand.

 

htstransmissions.com

 

Dave Goerend has some Edit good transmissions and his is the one I will install when mine goes south on me.

 

I too am in this same boat. I really would be fine with a DTT, Suncoast, or Goerend. It seems I have read of some issues with ATS, moreso than other brands IMO.. The first problem I have encountered (besides funding ) is the install. I live in central KY and I don't know of anyone in my area that is an experienced installer. I would prefer someone who is familiar with the setup and has done this several times. I did speak with DTT a year or so ago and the nearest installer they had was in TN over 200 miles away. Don't ask me why, but I just don't want to go out of state to have this done. I don't like the idea spending 3-5k on something and only talking to people from other states over the phone prior to the install, which would also be with people out of state that my only contact with would be the day of the install.

Also, I can't decide how far I need to go with building it up. At this point I would prefer to be able to swap in an Aisan or a 68rfe but I think we are still a ways off from making that work. All I know is the 48re SUCKS with a load in the mountains. There were times this past weekend pulling my 2 atvs where the truck would rev to about 2800 rpm's leaving a stoplight and was only accelerating slightly faster than it would if it were rolling down a hill in neutral. Talk about sorry, that's less than 2,000 lbs. I don't think my truck could pull 8k+.

 

Goerend is the way to go. Dave will bend over backwards to help you in any way possible. I installed my tranny myself and he was there to answer all the questions I had (till ten at night no less). Guy runs a good business and he stands behind his product. I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who isnt happy with a Goerend tranny.

 

Dave Goerend is one of those guys where it doesn't matter if you're talking to him on the phone or looking him straight in the eye, he's going to treat you the same way and give you the same advice. The guy is as honest as they come.

I know what you mean about using someone closer to home, but after seeing Dave's operation I wouldn't hesitate to have one of his trannys shipped long distance. The odds of getting a lemon are extremely rare because they dyno each one and put it through it's paces before shipping. ;-)

 

Here's a stupid hypothetical question. Lets say I did order a transmission from Dave, or anyone for that matter and have it shipped to me. Will the install just be a matter of bolting it up or will it require adjustmets and tests after the install? For me, this would be where I would be nervous. Say I take it to joe smoes transmission shop to have it installed, how does he know if it's working like it's suppose to? He probably has little or no experience with this type of setup and his inexperience could wind up costing me.

 

And you gotta make sure he bolted up your tranny and not someones elses cheap core!

 

That's why it's so important that the builder puts the trans on a dyno before shipping it out. They check all the shift points and everything. It should just bolt-up and GO!

 

I was thinking about getting one of these it right up the road from me

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/48RE-...spagenameZWDVW

 

IDK man...you know the old saying "you get what you pay for". A Google search of their Ebay username doesn't look good (and I only looked at pages 1 and 2).

 

I was bored, so here ya go...

http://data.phoenix.bbb.org/commonre...646&language=1

114 complaints in the past 36 months!

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...off0163335.htm

ouch!!