So, my '94 max tranny just went at 107K. It's slipping in the high gear and sometimes not making it into high.

I just called the tranny shop and they want 2,500 to 3,000 to rebuild it. The dealer wants 3,500 to 4,000 to install a new one. It's seems pointless to get one from a salvage yard given the life expectancy.

Any opinions on the best option?

FYI - I tried to do a search of the board, but the search function did not work.

Thanks!

 

Not sure where you live or what tranny is in your max, but phone a few tranny shops - that quote is on the high side! What you do now depends on your budget. I'm sure other people on the .org will point you in the right direction on getting a cheaper tranny.
Me, I'd get one second hand - even if it lasted for 6-12 months, it'd be the cheapest option for me. I can install it myself & not everyone can do that.
If you haven't done so, get the band adjusted & the fluid changed - may help, although the RE4FO2 trannies losing top gear is a sign it's gonna die within the next few months.

 

did you check to make sure your fluid is not low

 

Yeah 107k is really early for the tranny to die. Or maybe you just beat the crap out of it doing full throttle after each stop?

 

I called 6 places and they were all in the same range for rebuild. Dealer was the most, but that was for a new tranny.

Fluid level's fine. It's been driven "lightly" and regularly maintained - heck I'm an "old" guy in my 40's

 

Usually the trannyies lose the low range RPM then once you get to about 2nd gear range you finally get some HP. I prefer buying a used tranny and just paying 400 to install it. Trannies run for 650 with 3 months warranty can't beat it. I had my tranny change one month ago with no problems to date. If you got the money buy a new one. You'll be saving around 500 for a rebuild but they last for about the same lenght as the junkyards. It'll neer be the same. Trust me.

 

ive seen them out here for 6

 

I would definitely try to find a used one as cheap as you can. If you were to pay more than $2k for a tranny, you would never be able to recoup that money if you were to sell it.

Since your car has pretty low miles, if I were in your shoes, I would drop in the cheapest working used tranny you can find, then sell it. Then go find a VE 5-speed and you will be wondering why you ever drove an AT and what took you so long to move up.

 

Yeh, my tranny just went as well. They are quoting 2700 for it to be rebuilt. I went for the 1400 option on a Used low mileage tranny. These things never have the right timing.

 

How exactly is the band adjusted?

 

I had mine rebuilt a year ago for $1800. I wouldn't do it again. I think I'd look for a good used tranny or just go for a 5 sp car.

 

A friend on another board just pointed me to Shinwa Engine as a source of both engines and trannys. It turns out they have a used rebuilt one.

Not an endorsement (and I have not yet dealt with these guys so caveat emptor) but http://www.shinwaengine.com/company.htm may be worth checking.

 

you never want a rebuilt tranny. they are overpriced and last for about 10k miles. on average.

 

PUT IN A 5-SPEED! Either your a role model, or you need one.