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John Woods transmission - out of bz, summer of 2021

50K views 49 replies 27 participants last post by  TooManyToys 
#1 ·
Looking for good and bad reviews on john woods trans towmaster. I have an appointment to get one installed and want to know the good and bad. I have searched over and over again qnd cant find anythng bad. I have been saving for years for this trans and cant wait. What iw the most you have pulled in and out of overdrive? Thanks
 
#7 ·
Same here. I called a few times, left a briefly detailed message regarding a valve body that I wanted to purchase from him and even sent him an email for additional info. Due to the lack of response Ive decided to take my business somewhere else. I had the same issue with BTS. No response to my emails.
 
#5 ·
I called John about a early 99 F350 diesel truck I was interested in buying and wanted to find out the history of his tranny in the truck. John actually remembered the truck and the transmission when I gave him the background story.

I asked him about his warranty and transferability. His reply shocked me: "My name is literally on the transmission. (He welds a nametab to the housing) "While my transmissions have an X # of years written warranty, my policy is if there is ever a problem, you pay the shipping and parts, and I will fix it . . . no labor costs." That is confidence in one's workmanship.

. . . and yes, I did buy the truck.

Scotty
 
#6 ·
Summitdog, I have had the pleasure of meeting John and running all the way down to holtville to have him work on my 01. I have a 27' 5th wheel and a 20' car trailer that I pull a EB to events and such. He is a great guy and you will not be dissappointed at all. My rig alone weights 9k and shifts perfectly. Good luck with the new buy. Brian
 
#9 ·
Sucio, Sorry to here that John hasn't gotten back to you. Not tryin to make excuses for him but I can tell you this. When I went down there his shop is divided into 2 shops. One being everything to do with automotive and the shop he works out of, the tranny shop with its own machine shop. I was there all day. He had my tranny out, I would say in less than 20 minutes. Rolled it into his small personal machine shop, tore it down, machined case/housing all the drums cleaned it and reassembled it all in front of me. By the time he installed it test drove it and billed me it was 8pm. With both of us happy with the performance of the tranny shifting, I drove back to my hotel. Mind you there is no secretary or front desk person to answer phones, bill, etc. I think that helps keep costs down and more personal attention to the build. The next day I drove home, which for me was about 12 hours.:woot: if you haven't done anything with your tranny yet:dunno: the wait you might incounter will be worth it:thumb:

P.S.:agree:with Snake
 
#13 ·
Im huge on communication with the buyer. You never know when that one happy customer will bring you additional business. Im a marine mechanic and 90% of my customers have been from word of mouth. In this case I prob would have recommended the product to my group of buddies with the same truck as mine. $$$$

Two of the main reasons that I wanted to go with the JW valve body is because of the great reviews on it and I am a huge supporter of buying locally. If he was less than 200 miles away from me, I would have just driven down to his shop and bought it then and there. Im sure that 12 hr drive was well worth it for you in your case 1BADTON. :woot:

Ouch. :doh: Well that takes care of that option. Any idea on when he might have some available again?

We can get everything handled for you..we are a BTS dealer and ship everywhere..best rates.
I will be in contact with you in the near future. Thanks :thumb:
 
#12 ·
Ratford, I will say this also that shipping did play a big part in my decison. Back when I had minr built by john it was gona cost me 600 round trip for just the shipping to BTS. So I planned a SoCal trip and picked up parts at two other shops while I was down there. So in saying that if cary at CTperformance can help with a bts, and shipping is cheaper I'm sure bts tranny will not disappoint you either.:thumb:
 
#14 ·
I just placed my order for a towmaster 4r100 ive talked to john twice he is one of the coolest guys you could ever wanna talk to. he treats you like your one of his pals hangin around the shop. I also talked to bts and they were also very very nice and pleasent to talk to also about 250 cheaper but they were like 2 months out and I don't really wanna wait that long so I found john and am glad idid. im sure either of these two gents could match eachother quality wise so im sure its just a matter of location and time frame..
 
#15 ·
About how much are you guys paying for your transmissions? IIRC they cost right around $5k. Not looking to get one soon, but that is going to be what goes into my truck when the time comes.
 
#16 ·
I have had the Tow Master for the past 3 years it works great! I have talked to John many times and he is very knowledgeable. I just purchased my PHP tuner from him as well. I would highly recommend him and his work.
 
#18 ·
glad to hear that. My tranny went out on labor day and I sent an email. Have not hear anything back yet. Will call tomorrow morning. My trucks 150 miles away at a ford dealer they are going to look at it tomorrow. Im inclined to get his new ECO/HD model but its got to get towed out there. Im hoping I can do it early in the am and get there right when he opens so I can be back home that night.
 
#19 ·
the ford hd4r100 isn't a bad option either
 
#20 ·
I've had a good experience dealing with John, we tossed some e-mails back and forth about a valve body for my poor shifting Jasper transmission, he said just call with credit info and he had one built ready for shipping, and because I was at work I had my wife call, and when she did he was waiting for her too call, she even said is this Myles's wife isn't and five day's later I had my valve body and it worked perfect right up to the point when some lady ran a red light and totaled my truck.

When my current 01 needs a tranny I will seriously look at getting a JW transmission.
 
#21 ·
Old thread revival...

The truck I just bought had a "rebuilt" transmission installed a little over a year ago. The receipt said it was a 4r100 which I thought was a bit odd since I was under the impression my '97 should've come with e4Od. The rebuild cost with labor was $1900. Regardless I emailed John with my design spec's and my intended use. He replied promptly with a few ideas and ways not to go and said he's booking appointments for after 4/3/18. That made me happy. Busy people with concrete lead times often seem to do the best work. Living in Santa Barbara it's a bit of a haul to Holtville, but being from San Diego my wife wants to visit friends there and I can drop her off and drive out to John's. I love road trips, I swear I'm like a dog...without all the head hanging out the window and slobber going everywhere. :)
 
#23 ·
Thanks for following up. @ZMANN can help you merge those accounts. :)

Also for anyone reading this @Corey@CNCFAB is the man for your transmission needs.


  • 419-636-0000
  • orders@ohmotorsports.com
  • Mon – Fri: 9am - 5pm EST
    Saturday By Appointment Only
  • 1103 S MAIN ST
    BRYAN, OH 43506
 
#25 · (Edited)
Depending on where you live, I trust Precision Transmissions in Amarillo, Texas.

Precision Transmissions
4.6128 Google reviews
Transmission shop in Amarillo, Texas
Address: 300 Ross St, Amarillo, TX 79102
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 8AM Mon
Phone: (806) 372-2210

I have spent many an hour just watching Richard describe what works, and what does not.

Before I bought my '02 Excursion, I was driving a Chevy K1500 4x4 and still have it, won't ever sell it. I watched a ton of Richard's tear downs on the 4L60E transmission.


https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=precision+transmissions+4r100
 
#28 · (Edited)
Here is a very fast tear down to see what parts need to be ordered,
no time for explaining what is wrong,
it is almost 5 pm and the parts stores close.

"Houston, we found the problem!"
never saw one broken like this one, it resembles what the Spyder gears looked like in my Suburban's rear differential when it exploded last June...


 
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