The basic “overhaul kit” and stock low stall converter cost me around 300 bucks here. The basic overhaul kit will consist of the clutches, gaskets, steels, seals, the bare minimum to overhaul the trans. I don’t understand why the band isn’t included, as far as I’m concerned it should be replaced every time.
Please note, that 300 bucks doesn’t include performance or durability upgrades. Unless the trans is going behind a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, it’s pretty stupid not to upgrade the 3-4 clutch pack or install a wide band. Installing a new drive shell is also mandatory in my opinion, the 100 bucks saved won’t matter much when the original part strips 2 months later.
Add the cost of a spacer plate (almost always needed), accumulator pistons, bushings, and the cost of replacement part for whatever was damaged, it’s pretty easy to spend some serious money just in parts.
I can and have replaced the drive shell without a complete overhaul. If your careful, it can be done without removing the valve body. Most shops won’t do that. And it’s not hard to figure out why.
Suppose you take your truck in to a shop for a no reverse, 2or 4th gear? Classic symptoms of stripped drive shell. The shop replaces the shell, reinstalls the trans, and your back on the road and happy, until it starts to slip. The slipping might have absolutely nothing to do with the drive shell or the work done to replace it. However, you argue that the trans worked perfectly fine until the shell broke, now it needs overhauled?! It happens all the time. That’s why most shops cover their ass by suggesting a overhaul.
