Duarte Transmissions - Pacoima

Wasn't going to leave a review but I have to explain a short story I have a 2001 Ford F350 with a 8-in lift and the truck itself weighs 9200lb, while making multiple trips moving from California to Arizona my truck broke down in Pacoima Ca during the holidays on Thanksgiving with a blown transmission while pulling a 26' enclosed trailer empty. The tow truck driver who pulled my truck and trailer all at once suggested to send my truck to Duarte's Transmissions for repair. While dropping off the truck I explained to the owner Mr Duarte that I wanted a better than stock transmission due to the heavy pulling that I constantly do with the truck and I explained that I wanted a Billet torque converter to make sure the truck could handle the pulls. Continually emphasizing during the drop off my needs for a heavy duty build and a billet torque converter, I THOUGHT THE OWNER UNDERSTOOD! Fast forward to January 21, 2026 I left my home in Vail Az to Phoenix to pick up a 14k trailer to haul my 9700lb forklift. This trip alone is 14hrs. On the way to the transmission had no problems on the way back, loaded is where the problems started happening. Being a diesel i guess they don't understand the torque used to get loads moving. During take-off from a light or dead stops the transmission will shudder from the clutches not holding and if I tried to speed up to pass another car, the transmission would start to slip even in lockup, downshift slip, catch, shift back up to overdrive and start slipping again until I backed off the gas pedal then catch after I made the pass. Going up long grade, if I pressed the gas pedal even locked up it would begin to slip again showing on the RPM guage. Mind you all the while I have a professional cooling system in which during this trip in winter the transmission never saw 200° with an average around 180° the whole trip. I also know when to downshift watching my EGT's as to not hurt my engine. This drive took me to Vail dropped off my forklift, back up to Phoenix, dropped off the trailer then back home to Vail. I am very upset with this shop after continually telling them what I needed in a heavy duty transmission. WOULD THEY MAKE THINGS RIGHT IN A REFUND TO HELP THEIR REPUTATION? I HIGHLY DOUBT IT and I am not going to waste my time. So the reason for this post is for all 1 ton and up truck owners stuck with transmission problems, DO NOT TAKE YOUR TRUCKS TO THIS SHOP! $3200 for a SILVER painted up transmission missing 3 transmission pan bolts with broken helicoils still in the case is sure tail sign of disrespectful customer service, and greed to half ass the job, get the customer out and collect the profits. I also doubt they will try and make things right to have me remove this post but I will if they want to save any reputation they still have!

Terrible rebuild. I have a 2012 Sienna. I took the trans out myself and had it rebuilt by these guys. Didn't work the first time, took it back and they said they would take a look at it. A week passed and they said it was ready. Went to pick it up and it sat in the same spot. Tried the trans again and it did not work. Took it apart myself and they did not even open it to check what was wrong. Valve body was full of sludge. Bottom line went to someone else for a rebuild. It could have been my fault for the install but I didn't like that they lied about checking it.

Fast turnaround, Told me two days, done in two days. Was late in the day when I called and considering parking is a little tight amongst the shops, I got over there and picked up my 05 Chevy avalanche. Shop is fairly clean, good price, They were recommended by a friend at work. I just pray it lasts! 🙏 I like the owner and will update. This will be my go to shop for anything I can’t do.

Best prices and service in the Valley I bring my cars here since a decade and never fail the job they do :)

The guys are fast and they know what they're doing! I've taken 3 different trucks there To get my transmissions worked on And every single time very happy with the work 👍🏻