Hey Guys,

Just had transmission blow up in my 98 GC (178,000 Miles). It's the 3 speed A670 (31TH) mated to 3.0 V6. I'm pretty sure the planetary gears are broken up, so it's going to need a serious overhaul. I've got about $4000 to work with, here's my options - what do you guys think????

1. Rebuild transmission myself ($500 +/-) - never done myself, could be a nightmare and cost a lot in special tools
2. Junk yard transmission ($650 +/-) pretty sure I could swap and drop. But could be a gamble
3. Professionally rebuilt transmission - self install ($1500)
4. Professionally rebuilt transmission - shop install ($2000)
5. Sell van ($500 maybe) and buy 2003-2005 with 80K-120K ($4000 +/-) Am I just setting my self up for another transmission bill at 150,000 miles??

Besides the transmission, the van runs great, is clean inside and has a straight body. The motor has high mileage, but I bet would last another 30-40k. Lots of ins and outs. It's in my garage now and could stay there for the next month if I need to work on it.

Thanks-

 

well i think if u can find a low milage in a yard then install yourself might be 1k in it. like hopefully u get on thats good. drop the pan before u put it in and change oil on it,and u should be good.

all up to u if its worth it. by the sounds it does. buying another for 4k might end up same results.

 

 

Realistically, if the engine will only last another 30-40,000 miles, a decent used transmission should last that long by which time the van will be ready to be scrapped, assuming the engine is toast by then.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going to go the route of a junkyard transmission and try to find one with lower miles and change the timing belt while I'm at it. This should be a fun little project - lol.

 

My brother is a professional diesel mechanic and he love's mopar, and has had several mini vans. He has found that if you put a transmission fluid cooler on these older vans, the transmission will last alittle longer. I have an 2001 mini van with a 3.8, an it has a factory installed transmission fluid cooler.