I went through the same route as you. After the first tranny went at almost 200,000. I bought another and had a guy that "could fix it right up". He did it cheap and I got what I paid for
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But one you get it apart most of the rebuild kit parts are junk and no where near close to factory. In the tranny rebuild all your $$ is in labor and the parts are fairly cheap. Cheap kits are $300 so spring for the $1000 kit and never touch it again. It is already out and apart and that is the hard part. Might as well build it better inside.
With some upgraded parts like clutches, servo and beefed up input shafts. Keep it cool with a cooler and it should last forever. Beefed up the 46re, 47re, and 48re should be more than enough. Some of the Dodge guys with built trucks are pushing 600-800 hp and use a built RE driveline for pulling events.
I have been in the same boat and dumped tons of $$ into crap that people did not build right. You are not alone!
