In the world of 2nd Gen Rams, some guys like Lares because they're new. I'm skeptical if they just copied OEM design(s) without addressing issues, but I've never touched a Lares so maybe they're great.
Redhead does not have a good reputation with the 2nd Gen Ram crowd from what I've seen.
I agree the reman boxes from the major parts houses are the definition of insanity. I've installed several MasterPros (warrantied) but each time I wind up with the same result.
I'll elaborate on why I am so set on something other than your typical off the shelf big brand reman, Here is my history on vehicles with gearboxes where the standard reman was junk, as accurately as I can remember.
95 Suburban K1500: Redid ENTIRE front end/suspension with ACDelco parts including ACDelco reman gearbox from RockAuto. All parts professionally installed by a shop. The result? It was honestly WORSE than it was before all that $$$ work. They said the gearbox was the issue and installed a NAPA reman. It was a little better but still lame. Ended up selling that vehicle for unrelated reasons.
99 Crown Vic: Steering was loose. Shop inspected the vehicle and determined everything was in great shape except the gearbox. I installed a MasterPro reman. Was worse than the original unit. Ended up selling that vehicle for unrelated reasons.
97 Suburban K1500: Pitman arm was loose, and took the splines of the gearbox with it. A MasterPro reman was installed on this one by a shop. This one was alright, not perfect but tolerable. Ended up selling that vehicle for unrelated reasons.
95 K1500 pickup: Purchased it with a stack of receipts from previous owner. Within that pile of receipts was a MasterPro reman gearbox about one year old. As the steering was SCARY sloppy when I bought it I checked EVERYTHING very carefully. Even replaced the rag joint on steering shaft just in case. Determined gearbox was the issue. So I warrantied out the MasterPro. That one was actually good and tight, steering was PERFECT, except it leaked. I don't remember if it was input shaft or output shaft. I warrantied that one, and guess what, the next one didn't leak, but it was sloppy again. Oh well, sold the truck to a friend/ex at that point. A few months later he contacts me that he was driving and as he left the parking lot of the feed store something in the steering system jammed and then it went loose and the fluid was pouring out and he lost power steering. He drove it home like that. I went to look at it and the gearbox was physically broken into two pieces. He was an absolute grandpa of a driver, super gentle, and I went back to look where it happened and there was not a pothole or anything just a big trail of fluid LOL. So, warrantied again, and the next one was OK. Not great, not perfect, but tolerable.
So, here we are with the 97 Yukon. Part of me just wants to get another MasterPro reman because it costs me $122 vs any of the alternatives. But I just don't want to end up with a still-sloppy truck and that's why I'm willing to spend more on a gearbox.
I know Redhead used to be good, but I've read that they were sold or there was a change and they aren't that great any more. Around that time Bluetop showed up on the scene, my understanding is it was started by someone who used to work at Redhead? Anyway, so far my options seem to be:
MasterPro/generic reman: $122.
Cardone new from RockAuto: $311 including shipping, no core.
Bluetop reman: $370 for gearbox, shipping, and core return shipping.
Lares new from RockAuto: $379 includes shipping, no core.
Redhead reman: $388 for gearbox, shipping, and core return shipping.
Lee reman: $750 for gearbox, shipping, and core return shipping.
Between all of those I'm leaning towards either the Cardone New or the Bluetop Reman. Hmm, between the two, what would y'all pick?
