1999 stock 24 valve Cummins. 2wd. Over 350k on it, when purchased in 2011 I was told some work had been on the transmission, but not sure what (it had 278k at that time).

 

We live on good 'ole Monteagle mountain, and this truck's main purpose in life is hauling a horse trailer. I don't need anything fancy, just dependable. 

 

About a year ago, while hauling the horse trailer on the interstate it shifted funny a few times, and the engine felt like it got bogged down. No biggie, maybe bad fuel or something?
Drove fine for months.

Randomly, the odometer/speedometer, and port where my ScanGauge plugs in quit working

About 6 months ago, the truck quits going into second gear without help. You'd have to speed up, then let off the fuel pedal for it to switch into second gear

About 2 months ago, now second gear will only engage about 1/50 times, and tends to slip into second better when the truck has been driven awhile.

About 1 month ago we changed the transmission fluid, and lo and behold, the little pot metal "wedge" was broken. We don't see anything wrong otherwise, so we put in a new filter and new fluids and nothing changes.

 

We've driven the truck hundreds of miles during the last year, and it drive fine other than shifting hard from 1st to 3rd. We've researched, read a bunch of articles, watched Youtube videos, etc. Every "quick fix" seems to be a short term fix, and I don't want to be stranded on the side of I24 with horses...

 

The local "best around" transmission guys have had me on their wait list for weeks - and they are quoting $1,800-2,000 for a rebuild with all new parts and 12 month/12,000 warranty.

 

This truck is old, but in very solid shape otherwise and we want to keep "Dan the Dodge Diesel" around for a long time, so we're willing to spend the funds to fix the transmission. 

My husband is good at mechanical stuff, but isn't willing to rebuild an automatic (he could replace  no problem), although we don't have much free time and won't for several more months...

 

I would appreciate any insight, or feedback on what is going on. Whether it be some mechanical issue to check out, or what transmission to replace the existing one with. We have found several inexpensive rebuilt ones, but were unsure of the quality.

 

Also, I'm located in Middle TN, so if you have a trustworthy shop in the Chattanooga or Murfreesboro area, I'd love to hear it.

I know the prices you have been quoted are pretty low. I don't think you will get any kind of bullet proof transmission rebuild at that level. You need to deal with Georend Transmission. Those people are first rate folks. You also need their Trans pan with the temp sensor. I could not believe the extreme quality in just the trans pan they shipped. Even the way it was packed was amazing. My other second gen got the Mag Hytech pan, but the Georend is tops.

I would be more afraid you are getting a stock rebuild that might just outlast the warranty and then its your problem. I do not know anything about the trans shop you speak of but before I dropped 2k on rebuild I would want to know a lot about what this shop is going to do. A $3k tranny from @Dynamic would be bullet proof for what you do. But I dont want to speak for him in anyway. I tagged him to get his opinion. I am no auto tranny expert but we have see a lot folks here go to the go to in their area just to end up with an average rebuild.

It sounds like you've lost 2nd gear. I would not put much stock in a, $1800-2000 transmission, though.

 

Goerend doesn't build transmissions. They only sell parts.

Yes Dynamic would be the very best one. That is thee go to shop 

 

Don't know what possessed me to say Georend instead of Dynamic except they have great upgrades on the parts.

OK then... Point taken.

On 10/24/2020 at 8:35 PM, JAG1 said:

Don't know what possessed me to say Georend

They used to build transmissions, maybe that's why. I, too, bought their trans pan. While spendy, it sure is pretty. Shame it's under the truck where no one can see it!

2 hours ago, LorenS said:

They used to build transmissions, maybe that's why. I, too, bought their trans pan. While spendy, it sure is pretty. Shame it's under the truck where no one can see it!

Actually I find that things like that are best hidden. Especially from your girlfriend or your wife. Whichever your most likely to get trouble with.