Anyone know where I can get parts for my tranny cheap?

[Joe]

Tonite, my ramcharger's tranny died... I really need her to be working... :verysad:

I hope it is just a torque converter at the most... Basically I was merely driving it down 34th street at around 40mph and it just quietly slipped out of gear and would not engage afterwards. That's pretty much all that happened. No matter what gear it's put into, it goes nowhere.

Anyone had a similar incident? Recognize the symptom? Hopefully it's just a converter and hopefully you guys know the best place for me to get a new one cheap... :)

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

Cophers!
tranny is like $35 plus core. When I got mine they didn't charge me for the torque converter.
I really don't want to but I will help you pull it and put one in.

It really isn't too bad and this is definately the time of year to do it.

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Question #1. Is the driveshaft spinning when you put it in gear?
Question #2. Is there fluid in the tranny?
Question #3. Is there noise coming from the tranny?

If the driveshaft does spin, but the rear wheels don't then it's not the tranny.
If the driveshaft doesn't spin, drop the pan and check for debris.
If there is no debris try changing the filter, if that doesn't help swap tranny's.
If there is debris, swap tranny.
Torque converter will not cause tranny slippage unless there is no fluid. At least that's always been the case for me. Remeber Small blocks can use one of 2 types of trannies. 904 or a 727, if you get the wrong one the driveshaft won't fit. Torque converter is engine dependant. I don't know enough about your Ramcharger to tell you what to get. Cophers is the cheapest to get a tranny, but you don't know what you are getting. Cottmans transmissions will charge about $200 to fix the tranny.
Wanted to add:
It sounds like you aren't getting any line pressure. If you want to check the bands and servos in the tranny, get an air compressor and put air into the 4 holes in the tranny case, you have to droip the valve body in order to do it. You will here the bands and servos engage and disengage. If you don't they are bad if you do then there is something else wrong.

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

well, There is definately fluid, the linkage appears to be functioning right, didn't think to check if the drive shaft was spinning. there is a whining sound coming from the tranny when you rev it.

you sure it isn't the torque converter? it just all went at once, has no reverse or any other gear.

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Well, it's lost line pressure, it could be the torque converter, but usually when converters go, it's bad real bad, like parts shattering. You can try to swap it, just make sure you get the right one for his drivetrain.

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Oh yeah and make sure the tranny input splines are stripped

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

well there is a guy down here that cuts torque converters open and rebuilds them for $50.
Shawn has used one before and had no problems with it.

I'm starting to think we should just pull the tranny to get a better idea of what is going on.

[Joe]

Just thought I woud post my plans in here in case this isue ever came up again for someone else that decided to do a search.... :)

I got word that a good tranny shop in the area on 580 + Keene (727) 734 7800. I heard that they will pull and reinstall the tranny for $100 and a "rebuild" costs $200 + parts. Hopefully there isn't to many "parts" broken.

I will go ahead and get the torque converter rebuilt also by Perform-A-Torque here in Tarpon Springs.... (727) 942-8075 for around $50.

Just an FYI, I will keep you guys posted on the details.

[CrazyMoparGirl]

I'm starting to think you aren't the hands on kind of guy

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

Originally posted by "CrazyMoparGirl"

I'm starting to think you aren't the hands on kind of guy

HAHA, not everyone has the time to fix this shit when it is their only way to get around, and neither part could be fixed by any of us anyway.

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

and you can all thank my roomate for doing enough tranny rebuilds to figure out which shops around here actually do good work for a reasonable price.

[Joe]

Originally posted by "CrazyMoparGirl"

I'm starting to think you aren't the hands on kind of guy

You've never known me that well... :P

As walzer states, We can't do the fixin either way, tranny or torque converter... so, let the "experts" take it out and fix it. Time is of the essence when the ONLY running vehicle has just took a shit. If I had time avail, I would love to pull the tranny myself... it would be a great learning expierence. I mean hell, I have replaced several freeze plugs with the block in the truck... that should be enough to "show hands on" desire... hahaha what a bish.... :)

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Too bad I'm not in town, I know I could fix it for you. :lol: Oh and about not knowing you well, how can I you never wanna come out when I'm in town :p I understand about the time thing, I have to get my Ram up and running by the 18th of December so I can drive to Florida, so far I only have the engine in. Damn school and work :lol:

[Joe]

Welp, the latest is this....

I called 4 tranny shops, all had the same answer... the "real" rebuild price after replacing all the seals/bands/etc was around $1100. No matter who you knew.

So, I was talking to one of the guys and bullshitting when he offered to just do it at home for me on the side and he could "swing" a warranty through the shop. :D

It will only cost about $600 instead, and will include all the bands/internals/etc... This is half the price that I got from everyone else, so It's the best deal I have.

Also, the other tranny shops would not allow me to use my own TC in their rebuilds... thus I would have to buy a new once from them, +$230.

So again, this seems to be the best deal.... Opinions?

FYI: Perform-A-Torque is outta business (line disconnected), the ONLY other place to get a TC rebuilt is on Hillsbrough at AmeriTorque - $120 for mine.

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

Did you talk to Tony?
he goes through Cottman I think, maybe he can get you a better deal.
even for $600 I would consider doing the whole cophers thing, may not last forever but it should last till your car is done and a tranny is only like $36 plus core, would require some work on your part, but total cost with a rebuilt TC would be under $200.

[Joe]

Spoke with Tony... Cottman was $275 for the rebuild (LABOR ONLY). Then after all the seals/bands/gaskets/fluids etc... the guy said it would add up to around $900.

It's ok... I found a shop that is run by a guy who was a dodge master tech for 15yrs and his father is the shop foreman at Autoway dodge.... his price was better than the other guy and it included the TC. Plus he warranties the tranny for 12 months unlimited miles. I could use that, since I will be using the truck for scuba.

I need it to last longer than a few weeks, I mean heck, I did just dump a bunch into the engine and it's solid... I might as well get the tranny solid too.

I don't wanna go to cophers and pull someone else's problems... know what I mean...? It should be done by Thurs if all goes well... :D

[Joe]

He dropped the pan and said that there was a buncha metal in it... He thinks that a planetary went out... :verysad: :o :x

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Thats sucks, but at least you are getting it fixed.

[Joe]

Originally posted by "CrazyMoparGirl"

Thats sucks, but at least you are getting it fixed.

Think it's best to go ahead and just fix everything inside now? Or is it worth pulling someone else's problem from Cophers?

I am just torn between the cost of this rebuild, and what it may cost me if I bother to pull another tranny that may be worse off....

Isn't there someplace where they have "good" used trannies? I mean. heck... it is a Dodge tranny, there are billions of them out there.... :verysad:

[BIG_Truck_Driver]

Call Clearwater Automotive, they deliver, it's a barely used autoparts place.
Shawn got a rearend from them, I think all there parts come with a 30 day warrantee.

[Joe]

None in stock for me.... :verysad:

[Joe]

Tech Question....

In my truck it appears to have the A500 w OD... is it possible to easily swap that transmission out for a 904 Tranny? Considering the 904 auto tranny can be had for $640 new with a 100,000 mile warranty.... ??? Just wondering.... I think that the main difference is that the 904 is non-overdrive... whoopie fuckin do.... for that price difference, I can skip the overdrive...

[Joe]

Actually, I think that it is not the 904... but the 727 for the ramcharger.... correct me if I am wrong....

[Iroc Joe]

most 1/2 ton small block trucks had the 904, but I've seen many for sale with 727s. Your only problem with the tranny swap would be anything computerized...is yours a lockup type?? and perhaps you would need a diff. drive shaft...and maybe not.

[Joe]

aww hell... fawk it.

tranny is gonna get rebuilt and be solid as a fuckin diamond.

My GSR had better be as solid when it's done....

Time to pop a hitch on that bitch with some headers now that it will handle it...

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Originally posted by "Joe"

aww hell... fawk it.

tranny is gonna get rebuilt and be solid as a fuckin diamond.

My GSR had better be as solid when it's done....

Time to pop a hitch on that bitch with some headers now that it will handle it...


I think spending the money to get it fixed and know that it was done right and that someone else has to make sure it's right, is the best thing to do. IMO, If you dont have time to play around with it then get it done right the first time.

[CrazyMoparGirl]

Also wanted to say, I would rebuild it myself, only because I know how, but a first timer on a time limit, I wouldn't recomend doing it yourself. I think you could, but like you said, you need it working right yesterday, and time is of the essence.