Anthony, I've been in your position more than once and have taken a similar
approach. My results have varied, but my best experiences have been  when I
had my existing, failed tranny rebuilt. In both cases I was the major user
up to the point of failure, so my situation at that juncture was distinctly
different from yours, as you really don't know what kind of use/abuse your
tranny has endured. You may be better off with BenT's, since he might have
more info on his than you do on your failed unit. My bottom line is to pay
through the nose now, rather than through your nose and your mate's, later,
on the White Rim, in Moab. A rebuilt tranny from one of the usual suspects
(AA Transaxle, German Transaxle, Rancho,) all come with a 6month warranty, I
think. If you have a high torque motor conversion, you still get the
6months, but you can't buy an extended warranty. After driving these things,
both 2wd and Syncros, since 1985, I have learned not to f*#k around. All
this, unless you are driving an inner city or junker vehicle.

   - Syncro=entirely different beast than most vehicles.........
   - Miguel's way=more loving

Miguel

*Peace and Love......author unknown* (this one must be moderator-proof)