Ideas on buying used van rebuilt transmission?

[SHELK]

Seattle and even Portland rank at the top for most expensive used cars in the US. Not sure why.
Everything around here is skyrocketing... housing, food, cars, the closer you are to the city the higher they all are. If you drive a few hours to the small towns or countryside you can get deals but it's a lot of work every weekend driving hours to see a potential van.

I will find it. Can't wait to be a part time van dweller. It's my way of testing the waters for the future. Then maybe someday going full time. We shall see.

 

[66788]

Several of the better deals I see on Craigslist show a rebuilt or new replaced transmission. 


Mechanics out there... does this just show potential future engine issues?

Some of these vans appear to be pretty great deals with fairly low miles and some come with warranty on the new tranny. 

Is this a deal to look for? Or avoid?

Seems to me if the replacement worked well you would choose to keep the van not sell for a potential loss? 

Just curious about your take.

I bought my  Dodge High Top with a bad transmission and checked Craigslist for several months before I found the deal I was looking for.

A motorhome of the same year had a bad TorqueFlite transmission and the owner parked it under a tree and removed the transmission himself, taking it to a local shop for a complete rebuild with a few extras done at the same time.

While the trans was in the shop, the tree fell down on the motorhome, totaling it.   The insurance company adjusted the claim and took the motorhome away.

Weeks later the trans shop called and he picked up the trans for the $1,800.00 balance due.

It sat unused in his garage for many years under a tarp until he decided he would not use it, and listed it on Craigslist for $300.00, with a copy of the original paperwork from the shop.   I bought it and replaced the seals for a few bucks and was the first one to put oil in it.

It's been a damn good trans for more than 15K miles now.

 

[SHELK]

That's a good story!! ? lucky find!!!

 

[Ballenxj]

It sat unused in his garage for many years under a tarp until he decided he would not use it, and listed it on Craigslist for $300.00, with a copy of the original paperwork from the shop.   I bought it and replaced the seals for a few bucks and was the first one to put oil in it.

Rotten luck for him, but real good for you. If the trans was intended for a motorhome, you know the trans shop beefed it up. They're pretty tough to begin with.  727?

 

[SHELK]

I passed on the 96. It felt like an 86 inside.

So strange how some old vans feel new and others feel ancient!!!

Gonna keep saving and buy something 2000 or newer.