Well before you jump on the band wagon just yet. How about seeing if your going to get the money first. It is nice to find out some information before hand as you already did by calling them. You found out they don't offer anything more than the standard 46RE. He suggested a Cooler and a Tranny pan. Like I said earlier, they probably just get the tranny shipped to them and bolt it up. I didn't think they would do any more than that. I probably wouldnt go in there and talk to any of the tech's until you know your getting the money. When you do go in there, don't just go in and talk to "one" of the tech's. Find out who would typically installs the transmissions, or find out who has the most experience and talk to them. DON'T! go in there demanding anything, or act like you know it all. Talk to him like you would a girl in a sense. Lol, mention that you were looking to get a new trans, and would like him to see what he thinks would be the best option. Let him do 95% of the talking. Who knows, he may suggest something better anyway. Be sure to say, "Hey John, thanks for your time to set me straight. I appreciate it." when your done.

EDIT...

You know what, I changed my mind. Have your dad handle this one. Have him go in and talk to the dealership, have your dad take it in to get worked on, and have your dad pick it up. Best solution to the whole problem. Stay out of it lol! But I know your gonna go to the dealership anyway... so go run along now.

 

Before your edit, I agreed very much with this statement, your absolutely right. From everything I've been through with this situation, this is one of the things it's taught me. I'm extremely cautious of my bad habits I can have with mechanics. I always make the mistake of trying to tell the mechanic how to do their job or talk too much. Usually it's not even my goal, but I get too ahead of myself. If I was a mechanic, it would irritate me. I liked your example about being a girl. In essence, it's true. You go in there, be straight forward, don't over extend yourself, and ask for the facts and their suggesstions.

I'm 19 years old, and I am mature for my age. I'm capable of handeling this on my own, especially what I've been through. I'm paying the loan on this transmission currently, I need to be able to deal with the dealership if I get my money back. I know you guys are critical of my style, and although it comes off like I don't listen, I'm very conscious of what you guys all say to me, and it's helpful. I try to integrate into my daily life. Whether you guys know it or not, I am listenting, and I appreciate the tips and suggesstions. Yes, New England Transmission screwed me over, but I know deep down, that because I over extended myself and wasn't clear, consice, and bold enough, I somewhat got myself into this. I allowed the adult to manipulate me because he saw this. I won't allow it to happen again.

 

It may very well be true that your capable of handling it. It's whether you would like to face the facts about how young adults are normally treated. You've been through it. Im not much older than you and I know I've been through it. Ironicly enough, it was my transmission shop that shaft'd me on my last state inspection. (they gave me a $20 off coupon in the mail since I had the trans rebuilt there and thats why I went back). I had to take it back multiple times because the brakes wern't right. (and still arn't). Point is, if my father who is 6'3" and built walked in there and went in for an inspection, the whole thing would not have drag'd out for 5 work days.... (haha he would have rip'd them a new **** after 2) I thought about this after I wrote everything and figured since your dad is backing you, might wanna let him take care of this one so your not in the middle incase anything goes sour in the process. Wish ya luck as always.

 

Right on man. I agree again too. He's paying for the majority of the lawyer fees. I want him to walk into the dealership and take care of it. It's a lot of money I'm dealing with here, my money too. If I am so privledged to get my money back, I'm going to the dealership because that's where he wants me to go. And I will let him deal with getting it installed. He's a very successful business man, and knows how to get things done. I just need to keep learning from him.

 

Haven't been on in a while but what Hank suggested seems like a good idea to me. Find a local shop that works with DTT as he suggested and pick their brains. Find the pros and cons of stock replacement trannies, as opposed to units rebuilt by good reputable shops such as DTT, APS, etc. Get yourself some information, share it with your dad, and don't jump to go get yourself a new tranny. If your dad is with you, then work with him and have him help you assess your options. At least then, the both of you could wheigh in on how you feel and be on the same page. And who knows, after talking with the local dealer, and someone from a shop that makes APS or DTT trannies, your dad may see the difference between a tranny that is high quality, stock replacement, or just a knock off for a stock replacement that's painted blue, labled HD, and wrapped in plastic with a priuce tag of $4000.

 

Good points.

I'd like to know what you guys think. Today I went to a transmission shop and spoke to a name man Bill. He was the guy who assessed my transmission last summer and basically gave me the indication that I was not crazy and that something was bizarre about it. Anyways, I went there today and asked him what he would offer me if I go through him. He told me that he would start from scratch with a 46re. He said he wasn't planning on making it crazy, but he said it's my decision how much I'd like to spend. He said he'd do a shift kit, a heavier duty torque converter and valve body, nicer gears, and the kit that allows circulation in Park. He thinks I don't need to go overboard and that it will shift nicely still, but have the performance aspect to it when I need it. Bill also wants to see the build sheet from my existing transmission. He's as curious as I am. Tomorrow I plan to bring it to him for his assessment as well. He said it'd be around $2,400 installed. Does this sound like a possible option guys? He is a very nice man, and also owns a dodge ram himself. He respects me, and he gives me a lot of information. Should I stay away from small shops, or does this sound like an option I should consider?

 

DTT is one of the better companies that makes trannies as is APS. What DTT does is either build their trannies in house and ship it to specific shops who do quallity work, or only allow for specific shops who maintain their quality standards handle the parts when being assembled and then once everything is built, it's installed by the local shop. These local shops thus only do quality work if they work with DTT, so seing as how they do only do good work, contact them to see what they would do for a truck like yours, then see what they would do for a truck like yours with a DTT tranny, and just see what they have to say about your situation.

The guy you spoke with sounds good, but man... Im, not trying to knock him or anything, but anybody who is trying to sell something is going to try and paint a pretty picture of what they're pushing. So all I'm saying is don't make any hasty decisions on this subject. It might be the same as New England but then again, who knows.

Don't just go to one place this time like you did before. Listen to everybody here and take our advice. You've been given some very good names to consider, the least you can do is get together with your dad and go over all the different options you have. Stock replacement, local shop replacement, APS or DTT replacement, etc. Whatever you do, take your time this time around. Get all the info you can get, and get your Dad to get with the program by filling him in with all of these options. DTT custom builds their trannys with custom fabricated hi quality components and every tranny they build is backed by them and the shops that work with them with something like a 2 year unlimited mileage guarantee. That's pretty damn good. You've already heard that APS gives a good warranty as well as a custom tailored tranny that holds up well according to how hometheater raves about them.

Now the question is whether or not the other shops and the dealer will be able to deliver something of the same quality. I don't even mention warranty on these guys because that's pointless. Everybody gives a warranty, the thing is who's really going to deliver?

 

I'm a little confused about the DTT transmissions. Do they offer complete units, or do they just offer parts? Are they like APS in the sense that they will build me a transmission based off my request? I see where your going with this though, and I am interested.

 

DTT will make you a complete trans
but you have to ship to and from Canada
which in most cases is too expensive

DTT primarily works with 'authorized and trained' shops in the USA
to sell them the beefed up parts
those shops use to rebuild transmissions for their local customers

SunCoast in FL and APS in TX also have impressive reputations

 

I'll give them a call today and get some prices and information about their product. As I said before, I will try to exercise all my options this time around. I know that as of now, my dad has an impression that I'm going straight to the dealership. But once I find out how they are going to respond and there is a conclusion to this, I will run these options by him too.