Transfer Case Grenaded Itself.....how To Proceed?

[pwjz71]

I have a 2001 Silverado Z71 5.3L with a NVG246 (AutoTrac)

 

The other day, I towed my truck to a local transmission shop because it couldn’t move. Wasn’t freereving just couldn’t move, something was binding it up from doing so. My local transmission guy told me, the inside of the transfer case basically blew itself up. He told me I need a new transfer case. He said the current one was so bad that he couldn’t open it up.

 

My three options now are to;

1. Buy a used one from a guy he knows for $700. Has a 90 day warranty.

2. Buy a rebuilt one from a company he knows for $1200. Has a 3yr warranty.

3. Buy a used one myself from Craigslist for $400 OBO and have him install. Don’t know if it has a warranty (Haven't called yet) but the description states; 105xxx miles on it works perfect came out of a 2001 chevy truck with a 5.3 motor.

 

How Should I Proceed?

 

Appreciate any help or advice yall can give me!

[twavor]

Call around to some local auto recycling yards and get some prices, there can be quite a difference in prices, especially once you get out of the city. They usually come with a guarantee of somekind and if they have plenty in stock...they are cheaper. If that doesn't work out, I'd take the chance on the one from Craigslist.

 

Travis

[tonygxp]

well, if you get the craig's list one for $300 or so and have your guy open it up to take a look even if he has to put a litle into it at least you'll know what has been done to it. If you buy the rebuilt one you have probably a 60-70% chance of it never causing you an issue again but for $1200 vs $3-400 for the one you can have inspected??? i would go the latter route and have used one opened up and gone through.. just my $.02 If purchasing a new one was in the cards that would be the obvious choice but i'm sure that's gonna cost an arm and a leg

[pwjz71]

He said the current one was so bad that he couldn’t open it up.

 

What does he mean he can't open up my current one to inspect? Can the wrecked transfer case guts really prevent it from being opened up?

[RyanbabZ71]

shouldnt, I would make him show you what failed so you know he is telling the truth. Sounds odd that the truck wouldnt move and he is saying it is the tcase.

[FargoZ71]

Buy one from a salvage yard, can find alot of trucks that have been totaled by insurance companies due to air bag deployments and the drive train is fine, the yards around here have them laying on shelves cause they have already torn them appart.