OT - Rebuild or replace with after market

Last night I think the tranny gave up the ghost. Was cruising along about 70MPH when noticed tach started to climb. Lost OD, Drive and R is slipping bad. Plenty of fluid. Rig currently only moves in 2nd and 3rd.

Never used the aftermarket trans from auto stores, normally just have original rebuilt. Just wondering what others have experienced or suggest.

1965 Chevy C10 (3 on the tree)- rebuild at 300k
1978 GMC K20 Scottsdale (3 spd auto trans) - rebuild at 200k
1982 Chevy K20 (4 spd manual) - never rebuilt but have since sold the short bed truck to buy wife Firebird 1985 Firebird - (3 spd auto w/ OD) rebuild at 150k
1990 Chevy K3500 - (3 spd auto) 320k and still going strong (main tractor hauler)
1993 GMC Yukon - (3 spd auto / OD) rebuild at 275k

My experience is that the trannny w/ OD tends to fail earlier. I suspect it is due to the internal components needed for the OD gearing. I change my fluid and filters approx. every 50k miles.

I tend to keep my rigs till the wheels fall off then go out and buy a 1-2 yr. old truck as a replacement.

Went through this more than once and more than I care to admit on my own vehicles. Stay with OEM drive train parts, you'll have better service and likely save money too. Also, don't be so quick to buy a re-man or re-built, check the pricing on new first and then compare warranty too. I just got a price from Jasper on a GM 6.5 NA diesel re-man ... over $6000 plus shipping and does not come with pump, injectors or anything, just the basic block components. Found them on-line, new GM OEM complete, hook up the starter and fuel and go delivered to the door for $6050.00 with 1 year total replacement and 3 years parts replacement included.

I changed to Castol several yrs. ago when I was a younger man. I used to run a Triumph Spitfire 1500 that was very finicky. I tried Castrol and found it to be very durable and good product. Continued using it ever since in all my rigs.

Just found out this yr. that they also offer an Ag line. I plan on trying next yr. on my tractors and backhoe based on my experience with my passenger rigs.

(*No, I do not work for them. IMHO it is just an excellent product that have given me good service)

We have used quite a number of them, and yes, one did fail, and was replaced at the dealer we bought it from with no charge for parts or labor. (We had bought it and installed it in our shop for a customer).

I am in no way saying that this is the only way to go. I am saying we have had good luck with the GM's, and some customers find comfort in the fact if they have trouble down the road, during the warrantee period, help is available at any GM dealer, providing they have the required paperwork available for the GM dealer.

My friend sells and installs Jasper engines and trannys, and he is very happy with them. He doesn't care to install any other brand these days!!

Shep, with that many miles on it, is it still worth putting a $1,500.00 tranny in??? "Maybe" buy a good used "like" vechile, and have one for parts???

Robert

Email me for a typical price, if interested.