Had to choose between a cheap rebuilt transmission or a full swap on a 2012 F-150 last month

Went with the rebuild to save the customer $1,800, but it started slipping again after 300 miles. Anyone have a go-to rebuilder in Phoenix who actually stands by their work?

4 comments

4 Comments

anna4912mo ago

Ugh, does this ever hit home. I always went for the cheaper fix thinking it was the smart move. What changed my mind? Watching my buddy's truck eat two rebuilt transmissions in a year. The second failure made me see the extra cost up front is just buying time and peace of mind. Now I tell people a swap is painful but a band-aid is worse. Really hope you find a solid shop that actually warranties their work.

pat7818d ago

Two rebuilds in one year is brutal, I've seen that exact mess before. The math just doesn't work when you're paying labor twice plus the downtime. A good warranty means the shop eats the second failure, but most cheap rebuilders vanish or blame installation. Solid shops that stand behind their work are rare, but they exist if you ask around at parts counters or truck stops. Peace of mind is worth something when you're broke down on the side of the highway.

the_anthony2mo ago

But what if your buddy just got unlucky with a bad rebuilder? Sometimes the cheaper fix is done by a guy who really knows his stuff and it lasts for years. Dropping huge money on a brand new part doesn't guarantee it won't fail either, you're just out more cash when it does. I've seen plenty of band-aid jobs outlive the cars they're in. Maybe the real problem is finding any honest mechanic at any price.

mianelson2mo agoMost Upvoted

Wait, but that's exactly what happened to my buddy. The cheaper fix was the bad rebuilder. The point is the band-aid job was the expensive mistake, twice.