My transmission died today!

[Dre]

I have never thought that this moment would come so soon. I took my "new" truck on it's first jurney today first stopping by a few bone yards to shop for a used transmission (I knew it needed to be replaced) and then on to work I was going... or at least I thought I was... at the light I was just shifting from 1st to 2nd when all of a sudden all I got was nothing but grinding sound.... 4th gear worked so I limped off the main road unto a side street... didn't want to take any chances... you can't really drive far around Chicago with only 4th gear working especially with a stop sign at every other street... then I hit the pavement looking for a towing truck. Didn't take long and so now I've got my baby safe at home again.... and so now I'm looking for some help from you guys.
First in locating a good used tranny....

how much can I expect to pay at the bone yard? anybody have any dibs on one? or perhaps have one for sale not too far from Chi-town?

Second, I don't know what to do with the old one. Is it worth saving? I can take it out, rebuild it and keep it as spare or I can just give it to the bone yard as core (they will charge me $150.00 if I don't)
Give me all the feedback you can.

thanks,

 

[woodychitwn]

I believe that the one's I've seen around Chicago cost $750 to $1000. Check out car-parts.com. I've had all three done for me, and it usually costs $1,000-$1,200 at a shop. So I guess the question really is, how much can you afford, and how much is your time worth?

 

[Dre]

Thanks. I got one place that wants $900.00 for a used one and another $950.00 for a rebuit with 1 year warranty.

Funny as the firts place quoted $1200.00 as I walked in but took it all the way to $900.00 when I was leaving. I was also shopping for a rear end.

 

[Leford]

Yesterday I buyed a used transmission 4x2. My 5th gear died in november. I buyed for just 220 Usd

 

[Dre]

$600.00 used unit with 1 year warranty - found locally. Also found one rebuilt for $599.00 plus shipping from Wyoming... not bad, not bad if you keep shopping.