Trans Go Jr Install Rant

C-DUB

New member
Jun 26, 2013
19
0
0
BC Canada
Purchased the kit online, as it was half the price as locally.

Going great, got it in a week, phoned a couple local tranny shops to get quotes on install and that is where it all went wrong.

Main shop I was planning on dealing with, quoted me $250 for a tranny flush (fluid, 2 filters, labour) and $250 to install the jr kit on top of that! Said it would be $500 + tax.

Other main shop I phoned, the said they didn't recommend a transgo shift kit jr, as they have removed and I quote '100s of them for issues' and told me to get some valve kit, which I googled and got zero results for. I don't know if he gets commission on this 'vavle kit' or what but seemed odd. Also don't know if he was the one that installed the 'bad' kits or was it people that did it themselves and installed wrong.

Just bothers me that online EVERYONE runs a Jr Kit but locally I get a completely different story, or get charged enough that I won't walk properly for a while.

This is for a 2007 Classic 6 Spd if it makes a difference...
 

Muff

Just Learning
Oct 7, 2013
1,063
0
36
Butler, Pa
Most of your common local "mechanic" shops do not know much about duramaxs and the performance parts that go along with them at least in my area. Trans Go's are a good upgrade for the stock trans IMO.
 

Porno Joe

Member
Oct 11, 2010
513
0
16
South of Pittsburgh
Maybe the 2nd shop isnt familiar with allisons and was talking about shift kits in other trannys?

If you arent confident enough in your mechanical skills to do it yourself, I think $500 is fair for a transgo install and new filters/fluid

If you are handy with a wrench, you can do the install yourself easily in a day
 

TLyons90

New member
Apr 22, 2013
1,631
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0
Greenville, SC
Most of your common local "mechanic" shops do not know much about duramaxs and the performance parts that go along with them at least in my area. Trans Go's are a good upgrade for the stock trans IMO.

X2 on this!

From my readings the Trans Go's are excellent on the 6spds and semi alright on the 5s. Heck even the Suncoast kits come with the Trans Go's in there kits so that has to stand for something!
 

durallymax

New member
Apr 26, 2008
2,756
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Under The Hood
Book time to R&R the valvebody is 3hrs so i can see where they would be getting their price from.

I wouldn't take it to a shop that isn't familiar with it though, you have better odds of doing it right yourself unless its a mechanic you trust. Many shop owners are very smart, but a lot of their hired hands dont like to do things outside the box and that can be an issue.

Its really not hard to do, tons of write ups online on how to do it.
 

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
2,275
4
0
Why don't you have the online retailer that sold it to you so cheap, install it? Or better yet, call them for some technical support on what they sold you....

I can't imagine a professional shop not wanting to install a box of parts someone brings them, in there $30k pickup, (which they know your going to hold them liable if anything goes wrong) and do it super cheap for you.....

If you want cheap I recommend Wal-Mart or McDonald's.

What's the world coming to.......:rolleyes:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 

durallymax

New member
Apr 26, 2008
2,756
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0
Under The Hood
Why don't you have the online retailer that sold it to you so cheap, install it? Or better yet, call them for some technical support on what they sold you....

I can't imagine a professional shop not wanting to install a box of parts someone brings them, in there $30k pickup, (which they know your going to hold them liable if anything goes wrong) and do it super cheap for you.....

If you want cheap I recommend Wal-Mart or McDonald's.

What's the world coming to.......:rolleyes:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

There is that too, if one of the shops was selling it and he bought it elseware, I wouldn't expect great service. Especially on an $80 part, not a lot of room for savings.
 

pullsanything

Enthusiast
Oct 7, 2013
78
0
0
Iowa
Why don't you have the online retailer that sold it to you so cheap, install it? Or better yet, call them for some technical support on what they sold you....

I can't imagine a professional shop not wanting to install a box of parts someone brings them, in there $30k pickup, (which they know your going to hold them liable if anything goes wrong) and do it super cheap for you.....

If you want cheap I recommend Wal-Mart or McDonald's.

What's the world coming to.......:rolleyes:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

This is a very touchy subject for some shops, and others could care less if you get the parts yourself or not. I, being someone who has worked for a local shop on the side, can see it both ways. In the end though, you should always let your shop(and it has to be one that knows their stuff!) advise you on whether or not to get the parts yourself or not. I have seen it work both ways.
 

MACKIN

Smell My Finger...
Aug 14, 2006
3,948
1
0
Connecticut
Why don't you have the online retailer that sold it to you so cheap, install it? Or better yet, call them for some technical support on what they sold you....

I can't imagine a professional shop not wanting to install a box of parts someone brings them, in there $30k pickup, (which they know your going to hold them liable if anything goes wrong) and do it super cheap for you.....

If you want cheap I recommend Wal-Mart or McDonald's.

What's the world coming to.......:rolleyes:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

That is so much the truth it isn't funny! I could rant all day and all night about this. He will get what he pays for . By "he" I mean everyone that has the same mentality to buy from ebay and expect Rolls Royce service!
 

pullsanything

Enthusiast
Oct 7, 2013
78
0
0
Iowa
What it boils down to most of the time is whether or not the shop is a dealer for the parts in question, this case being TRANSGO. Everybody knows the difference between "retail" and "cost". This is why some shops get all butthurt if you get the parts cheaper somewhere else and charge you more to install them. IMO, if you want a good shop/customer relationship, ALWAYS TALK TO THE SHOP FIRST. If they say go ahead and get the parts, so be it!
 

C-DUB

New member
Jun 26, 2013
19
0
0
BC Canada
I bought it online for a regular price, I would have had to buy it locally from a third party anyways. $80 online, or $170 locally it made sense.

Trans Go Jr, is 2 valves and 2 springs, it isn't a giant box of parts, if it was something more complex I would buy it and have it installed by the same place. Maybe I didn't explain enough, I do have a good relationship with the first shop, I just thought his quote was high, but book time would explain why he got the price he did.

I'm located in BC Canada, 10 min north of border above Bellingham.

My rant is mainly focused about local shops telling me completely different information then what everyone on here says about the product.
 
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03badmaxxx

Ghost Element
Mar 1, 2012
825
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0
Mesa,AZ
www.facebook.com
There are literally Video tutorials on You tube on how to do this, Along with directions in the box that physically show you exactly where to drill your holes in the plate. Save your money and do it yourself, I have faith you can accomplish this!
 

pullsanything

Enthusiast
Oct 7, 2013
78
0
0
Iowa
There are literally Video tutorials on You tube on how to do this, Along with directions in the box that physically show you exactly where to drill your holes in the plate. Save your money and do it yourself, I have faith you can accomplish this!

^^^This, all day long!:thumb:
 

MACKIN

Smell My Finger...
Aug 14, 2006
3,948
1
0
Connecticut
This is a very touchy subject for some shops, and others could care less if you get the parts yourself or not. I, being someone who has worked for a local shop on the side, can see it both ways. In the end though, you should always let your shop(and it has to be one that knows their stuff!) advise you on whether or not to get the parts yourself or not. I have seen it work both ways.

By on the side you mean you do side work that would normally be done at where you work but you take it away from your place of employment?
 

pullsanything

Enthusiast
Oct 7, 2013
78
0
0
Iowa
By on the side you mean you do side work that would normally be done at where you work but you take it away from your place of employment?

No, I work in a foundry. I just work in a buddies shop for experience and a little extra money...... mostly diesel experience. I've been a motorhead all my life but just got into diesels in the last 5 years. My buddy has taught me an endless amount of knowledge about diesels(and so have the forums!). I just can't get enough!:woott:
 

paint94979

Beer Nazi
Sep 18, 2006
11,715
8
38
37
Why don't you have the online retailer that sold it to you so cheap, install it? Or better yet, call them for some technical support on what they sold you....

I can't imagine a professional shop not wanting to install a box of parts someone brings them, in there $30k pickup, (which they know your going to hold them liable if anything goes wrong) and do it super cheap for you.....

If you want cheap I recommend Wal-Mart or McDonald's.

What's the world coming to.......:rolleyes:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Holy hell I agree 100%...