I'm heavily considering using an established transmission shop to upgrade my transmission to a SC IV w/1056, transfer case bracket, and deep pan. The only problem is that they are not very experienced in Allisons. I've talked with the owner who seems like an upfront knowledgeable guy who openly admits he's only done 3 Allison rebuilds.

The owner is a member here who is looking to really get into performance Allisons in CT. I'm confident that some people on this site would be willing to offer him any support they can so I look at that as a plus. I figure every expert was once a newbie at some point so why not give him a shot.

I think I'm willing to be a guinea pig but I wanted to get some input from anyone that has done a SC IV, whether you're a DIY or an expert let me know what you think.:help2:

ive done 2 Allison rebuild's...the second time around is much easier and faster...there are several parts that are kinda tricky and just a pain to do but once you learn the little tricks and stuff its easier.

Let me know if you need any help with it or anything

ben

rpidelt,

IF a trans tech is good at what he does, then he would not have a problem with the Allison. Actually the Allison is one of the simple trans compared to what most tranny shops see on a daily basis. There is absolutly no "rocket science" involved. There is phone tech available if your trans guy needs it.
The question should not be "how many" have you done but do you have the knowledge, skills, and caring to be good at what you do? If your trans guy can answer yes then he will have no problems.
smoop

ive done 2 Allison rebuild's...the second time around is much easier and faster...there are several parts that are kinda tricky and just a pain to do but once you learn the little tricks and stuff its easier.

Let me know if you need any help with it or anything

ben

Jamie - let me know who you're using - I want his second to be mine.:joke:

rpidelt,

IF a trans tech is good at what he does, then he would not have a problem with the Allison. Actually the Allison is one of the simple trans compared to what most tranny shops see on a daily basis. There is absolutly no "rocket science" involved. There is phone tech available if your trans guy needs it.
The question should not be "how many" have you done but do you have the knowledge, skills, and caring to be good at what you do? If your trans guy can answer yes then he will have no problems.
smoop


much to someone's surprise tho, mine didnt blow up. ;)

ive done 2 Allison rebuild's...the second time around is much easier and faster...there are several parts that are kinda tricky and just a pain to do but once you learn the little tricks and stuff its easier.

ben

:agreed:

Everybody has to get experience somewhere - I'd say if you trust him why not @ least he's honest. See if you can get a written guarantee/warranty up front covering labor that's in-line w/ SC's warrant period, since you're willing to help him get his hands more into the performance world by being a guinea pig - find out from SC what you'd be responsible for paying in case of a problem, and ask if he'll cover gaps.

Everybody has to get experience somewhere - I'd say if you trust him why not @ least he's honest. See if you can get a written guarantee/warranty up front covering labor that's in-line w/ SC's warrant period, since you're willing to help him get his hands more into the performance world by being a guinea pig - find out from SC what you'd be responsible for paying in case of a problem, and ask if he'll cover gaps.

Suncoasts only responsability is for the parts. Labor would be on the shop.

much to EVERYONES surprise tho, mine didnt blow up. ;)

edited for accuracy.

Suncoasts only responsability is for the parts. Labor would be on the shop.
As a dealer, If you were new to the Allison & looking to get your feet wet so you could get into it heavily, would you consider it an even trade to cover labor under warranty in exchange for the experience the customer's knowingly & willingly providing you, and/or extend your normal labor guarantee to match the transmission's? Entirely understandable if not, since you'd be @ the mercy of the trans. builder for the most part - I'm just more curious now than anything.

As a dealer, If you were new to the Allison & looking to get your feet wet so you could get into it heavily, would you consider it an even trade to cover labor under warranty in exchange for the experience the customer's knowingly & willingly providing you, and/or extend your normal labor guarantee to match the transmission's? Entirely understandable if not, since you'd be @ the mercy of the trans. builder for the most part - I'm just more curious now than anything.

If I understand you correctly, you want this shop ( that has not gotten its feet wet yet on the Alli ) to warranty the labor for 2 years and unlimited mileage. This would be up to the shop if he is willing. If the shop overlooks something or makes a mistake it could bite him pretty bad so I hope he does his homework well.

It is a matter of trust. Something can go wrong on one of these even with the most experienced installers and best of parts. If you trust them and they'll stand by their work do it. If you get an uneasy feeling about it then run in the other direction.

I had a well established tranny shop do mine but I think mine was the 3rd SC IV install for this shop. They definately gave me a warm and fuzzy regarding their workmanship and that they would stand by the work if something went wrong. Even got some sort of nationwide warranty from them (through a tranny shop association I think).

For some, this is the best option when there are no close experts. For others - driving 1500 miles to see one of the tranny gurus is the right answer.

If I understand you correctly, you want this shop ( that has not gotten its feet wet yet on the Alli ) to warranty the labor for 2 years and unlimited mileage. This would be up to the shop if he is willing. If the shop overlooks something or makes a mistake it could bite him pretty bad so I hope he does his homework well.
That's pretty much what I'm getting at - I'd think that'd be beneficial to a shop getting their feet wet, as if there is an issue down the road & the truck comes back, they can see that issue firsthand & learn what caused it/how to avoid it in future installs. I think it'd be basically giving yourself that much more opportunity to learn. Of course, if there aren't any issues you wouldn't have the come-back in the 1st place so there's no add'l expense on the shop