Contemplating DIY E4OD (re)build

[94_turbo]

Originally Posted by BlindViper

Kinda funny my converter came from the same shop jw gets his?
Where do you think jw or bts came from? Do you think they just popped up from no where they had to start somewhere. My trans has had zero issues I drive my truck harder then anyone I know. When my trans was going out I called bts at least 3 times leaving messages each time. I never received one phone call. I got my kit from Racer-x, he took my calls, walked me threw steps I didn't understand. He even took my calls on a sunday during a family birthday. I go where the customer service is and no where else.
Do you really think that bts and jw have custom made clutches for these transmissions?


He asked about a rebuild kit not a complete transmission.

you can get custom made clutches--i checked on it--kevlar--but you dont want to know the cost--

[rockets10510]

Originally Posted by BlindViper

Kinda funny my converter came from the same shop jw gets his?
Where do you think jw or bts came from? Do you think they just popped up from no where they had to start somewhere. My trans has had zero issues I drive my truck harder then anyone I know. When my trans was going out I called bts at least 3 times leaving messages each time. I never received one phone call. I got my kit from Racer-x, he took my calls, walked me threw steps I didn't understand. He even took my calls on a sunday during a family birthday. I go where the customer service is and no where else.
Do you really think that bts and jw have custom made clutches for these transmissions?
.

i agree. he was there for me every step of the way and he even sent me a new race free of charge when i messed up and put it in too far. his customer is really top of the line in my opinion. he took my calls on the weekend, late at night and helped me with anything i asked him. i have 15k on my rebuild, i rebuilt it my self, i have stage 1 injectors and i run the daylights out of that truck.

no problems on my end with his parts or his service.

anthony

[caryt]

Originally Posted by BlindViper

Kinda funny my converter came from the same shop jw gets his?
Where do you think jw or bts came from? Do you think they just popped up from no where they had to start somewhere. My trans has had zero issues I drive my truck harder then anyone I know. When my trans was going out I called bts at least 3 times leaving messages each time. I never received one phone call. I got my kit from Racer-x, he took my calls, walked me threw steps I didn't understand. He even took my calls on a sunday during a family birthday. I go where the customer service is and no where else.
Do you really think that bts and jw have custom made clutches for these transmissions?


He asked about a rebuild kit not a complete transmission.

And I suguested a kit from JW Just because a converter comes from a manufactor doesn't mean its the same one that JW has built.. JW and BTS builds trans for a living and have developed many custom parts..X just is a parts reseller. Look its simple you want good parts go X you want the best go to BTS or JW. If you don't understand the differences fine done wasting my time.

[BlindViper]

And what custom parts would those be? How do you know jw and bts build the best trans? Because you were bent over and spent 4000K on a trans? Do you have first hand experience with every transmission builder? No you don't your just blowing the same horn like always bragging about something you are a dealer for.

[rockets10510]

bts and jw build good trans im not saying they dont. i just could not afford the cost of one so there for there was another route to take so i took that one. i have heard nothing but good things about BTS and JW. both build great trans. i just bought my parts from X and had great luck with him and his parts. thats what makes America great choice to buy what ever product you want. its your money do as you please.

BTS customer service is good too. it took me a little while to get in touch with him but understand this he runs a business and could be very busy. give him a chance and he will eventually call you back and answer any questions you have.

caryt did not mean to get in to an argument over anything. your a good guy to deal with and very knowledgeable in these trucks. i apologise if i pissed you off did not mean to do that.

anthony

[Briansshop]

It's funny how someone can get so worked up over their OPINION. That's what it is when you say "this is better" or "this is the best". It's like arguing over if Chevys are better that Fords... prove it. Are BTS and JW the BEST? I don't know. It would only be my opinion anyway.They build great transmissions, no argument. They also cost an S-load of money. Not everyone needs to/or can shell out that kind coin. It has been proven that guys can do their own trans rebuild w/parts from racerX or whoever and have good luck with it. I can say for sure that Blindviper's trans puts up w/some major abuse. He drives that truck like a 16 yr old in a Mustang GT.

[Air21]

I can also vouch for RacerX's customer service, he called me back to answer a few questions while he was out on a road trip.

[caryt]

Maybe I haven't made myself clear..If you want to build you own trans with very good parts the getting them from racer X is fine, If you want to build the best trans you can by yourself then you should call and talk to John about his kits..note I didn't say call me!

If you want the best ..yes IMO,.. trans that will have a warranty the you need a BTS or JW trans.

Just don't confuse the diference between a parts seller no mater how good his service is, with a master builder.

[BlindViper]

Originally Posted by caryt

Maybe I haven't made myself clear..If you want to build you own trans with very good parts the getting them from racer X is fine, If you want to build the best trans you can by yourself then you should call and talk to John about his kits..note I didn't say call me!

If you want the best ..yes IMO,.. trans that will have a warranty the you need a BTS or JW trans.

Just don't confuse the diference between a parts seller no mater how good his service is, with a master builder.

Last time I checked racer-x builds transmissions just the same as bts or jw. He is not just a parts seller, he doesnt have a job he makes his living building trans as well. Yes, you are right you have not said to call you. However you have mentioned bts countless times in this thread. Who does not sell a kit. Which has no place in a thread asking about a kit. So again you are pushing a product that you sell. Back to my original statement. Do you run or have you used a racer-x kit or built transmission.? How long has jw and bts been building diesel transmissions? BTS/JW/Racer-x are hardly master builders. They deal with 2 maybe 3 types of transmissions. This being out of the thousands of designs in this world. Thats like saying someone is a master artist because they can draw a circle.

[94_turbo]

Originally Posted by BlindViper

And what custom parts would those be? How do you know jw and bts build the best trans? Because you were bent over and spent 4000K on a trans? Do you have first hand experience with every transmission builder? No you don't your just blowing the same horn like always bragging about something you are a dealer for.

a dealer for??? expound on this a mite----

[BlindViper]

ctperformanceinc.com/services.html ct = Cary Towery = caryt

[RD97]

Originally Posted by 94_turbo

a dealer for??? expound on this a mite----

As long as it doesn't propagate the pissing match...

[BlindViper]

Originally Posted by RD97

First a little background: I have a 1997 Crew-cab dually that I purchased third-hand with 194k miles. It's now nearly up to 200k, and it's primary purpose in life is to be a fun project for me to work on in my spare time (and to occasionally haul a load of junk or two.) One aspect of this project is that I wish to convert it over to 4wd. This will necessarily entail some transmission work. However, since it's nearing 200k with an unknown history, it's probably due for some work anyways.

I've found a guy selling an E4OD out of a '96 with a blown engine for what I believe to be a reasonable price. So the question of the day is: Are there any differences between a 1996 and a 1997 transmission that would affect the process or outcome of a DIY rebuild? If I go take a look at this transmission, is there anything in particular that I could/should check to make sure it's not completely toast/ruined/trashed/etc.? It'd be nice to be able to take my time building the transmission without having the truck inoperable the entire time.

If and when I go forward with this phase of the project I will likely use the RacerX kit parts that people seem so fond of.

Thanks in Advance,
RD

Since it wasn't answered and should have been. There are 3 differences between the 2wd and 4wd trans. The 4wd trans has a longer output shaft and the extension for the trans case. A larger cap pan with a deeper filter for the pan. If the trans you are looking at is a 4wd you are ok otherwise you would need to get a 4wd output shaft and the extension for the tail housing. Which ever trans you pick to rebuild 96 or 97. If you order from Racer-x he will ask you for the code on the tag on the drivers side of the trans. This will tell him what year trans it is and which kit you need. From the outside of the transmission really the only thing you can check is the condition of the case. If you pull the converter you can check is nose for excess wear this could mean more money in parts for you build. You can also drop the pan and make sure there are no chunks of metal. Also if you drop the pan make sure and check all the holes they strip easy.

[Griz]

[quote=BlindViper;1773882]You can also drop the pan and make sure there are no chunks of metal. quote]

Just curious where would these "chunks of metal" come from?

Griz

[BlindViper]

Torque converter splines, shaft splines and any where they should be attached. Normal black crud is ok but visible pieces of metal is not good.