Sorry I've searched all/most good for Goerend and a lot of negative and a lot of positive for ATS. Here's my dilemma. I live about 60 miles from ATS so warranty would be almost easy vs Goerend if there was a problem. I'm not doing an entire trans but the minimum, VB and converter (hopefully that's all that's needed). Slipping converter but not too bad yet but will not pull a trailer in this condition.

I called ATS and was given a price for their 5 star 5 disk converter and VB for ~$2100 and ~$800 labor to install.

Goerend is ~$1600 for converter and VB and a few other things they recommend to replace.
I'm comfortable turning a wrench and have most of the tools I think(?) but for some reason a transmission is a mystery to me. Is this something I can do or should I find a local shop IF I go with the Goerend equipment or ATS for that matter.

Any and all comments are welcome. Help me save money or spend money or if you know of a different shop in Colorado Springs, CO that could do this PLEASE let me know.

Mods for future might include a new tapping comp and some smaller sticks nothing too large, egt's are already an issue towing at 9000' so not much more over what's in my sig.
Thanks.

 

in my opinion there is no comparison, goerend all the way

 

i know goerend doesnt mind if you install it yourself. ATS might make you go to one of their certified installers, or you void their warranty.

i would say tackle it yourself, but do you have another vehicle to get you around if something doesnt go by the book? if you can afford a certain amount of downtime, then i say do it yourself...provided what you find out about the warranty allows you.

my $0.02

 

Goerend, plus the added parts, and do it yourself. VB and TC are pie. No major disassembling or voodoo magic to work.

 

I truely hate to say this ! But!,, If I were in your shoes, as much as I hate to say it. I would go with the ats. AS LONG AS THEY DO THE INSTALL AND STAND BEHIND IT!!!! I say that because I am on my 3rd suncoast trans and she will not stand behind it because of "installation problems" that just mysteriously made my trans blow up 3 times. So now, after being cussed out like a (actually worse than) a red headed step child. I will just go directly to the source. I am going with the dtt because John at floor it diesel has been more than any brother could ask for. But, I will never again buy anything from suncoast. In fact, I hope and pray that the entire trans is trashed just so that I can get their filthy rotten parts out of my truck!!!!

 

3 posts and all say Goerend, I thought that's what would happen so before I start a new thread can anyone say what I would need to do this myself? Would a Harbor Freight trans jack do the job on a 47re?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4075
They used to sell an adapter for your floor jack that had the transmission holders but I can't find that now.

Does the transfer case come off with the trans or leave it in place.

Like I said, I'm comfortable turning a wrench but this voodoo of a trans is foreign. So there is no drilling holes in the VB plates and falling ball bearings like I've seen on TV (sorry I sound stupid) on the VB replacement? A TQ is easy enough it's just the VB that has me concerned if I do this.

Thanks.

**edit**

04 smoker saw your post as I was typing. I do like having a warranty but don't know all the specs on either companies warranty yet. I'm hoping to spend the money in about 3-4 weeks.

 

The VB is really easy. There's 10 bolts, 3 filter bolts, and 1 e-clip shift lever to remove and it's off. It comes out as one piece, you won't lose check ***** or anything. Don't overtorque those bolts as they will strip easily. A spring and accumulator piston will fall out when you lower the VB. Now to get that e-clip back on during installation, make sure you get some 45 degree tweezers that grip top and bottom (or something to hold the e-clip as you install it) or it will soon become the hardest part of the whole operation.

Also, another tip... Make sure all the pins in the connector of the VB are nice and straight before you re-install it. I guess mine were a little bent and when I went to plug it back in, one pin completely bent down and broke off. Again, had to remove the VB, call around and find out that you have to buy the whole harness with solenoids, etc. ($$$ for a small mistake). I ended up trimming down some copper and soldering in a new pin.

When I did mine, I got a new heavy duty 2nd gear band strut, aluminum double ring accumulator piston (better than the stock plastic one), and front servo cover. I'd recommond those to you as well and better yet get a full billet front servo if you've got extra cash laying around (~$165 vs $30 just for the cover).

Let me know how a TC install compares to the VB.

 

im having the same problem i need a tranny and its between the two.

 

I think you'd be better off asking yourself, which company would give you better piece of mind having their product in your truck. I've heard so much good about Georand, and not much good about ATS. I know if I still went with an ATS after knowing this, even if they are located close by, it would eat away at me just knowing that the Georand might have been better. And you can also look at it this way, even if ATS is close by, what if your constantly having to take it in for repairs, where as if you went with the Georand, it might never give you trouble. Yeah ATS is close by and might stand behind their product, but it becomes a pain in the butt having your truck down all the time. Now I'm not bashing ATS, I'm just going by what i've heard, I don't actually have experience with either one. Sorry if this makes no sense
I say go with the georand stuff and do it yourself. Automatics aren't rocket science, you just have to be extremely meticulous, carefull, and clean. I emphisize clean, automatics don't tolerate any kind of dirt or junk going through them.

 

ONe word, Goerend. Im very pleased with mine. I tow with mine.

 

Goerend, I should be getting mine here tomorrow!

 

Definitely Goerend. Much better trans and much better customer service in my experience.

 

honestly, Id go with ATS if your going to have a shop install it, b/c if ATS screws up on parts or labor its on them and they cant get out of it, but if your going to do the install yourself go Goerend

 

Dude just call Dave and tell him what kind of power that you are looking to make and he will sell you only what you need . Pull the trany install and you will be happy as can be! I am. Again do it yourself and save your dough....

 

Goerend has awsome customer service, If you get a trans and think the converter is too tight or too loose he will send another one to try and take back your other for nothing alls you have to do is pay shipping. I dont know of anybody else that'll do that.