NW - 06 Jeep Commander build - help needed

[HattZ]

first item of help needed, anyone have a good shop, ideally eastside of seattle, that is comfortable with suspension and body work?

what else am i forgetting?
does anyone have experience with the below companies products and should i pick anything else?
am i really just dumping money into a dumb project for a commander that i want to wheel?


I bought a 1 owner 06 Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi at the start of the year with about 115k on it.
first month blew some gaskets, now transmission is fubared..

kinda debating do i cut my losses and get rid of it, but i really want to build it into a go anywhere machine.
along those lines, i'm thinking:

replace trans with beafier 4x4 model, anyone have experience with ATS trans?
stage 3 is up to 600 hp... http://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/productdetail.asp?p=3099349272
(prob going with dynamic diesel out of snohomish for trans install ATS listed them as known good installers)
(600 over 400 because maybe i'll supercharge it.. maybe)

lift (enough to fit 33)
(maybe) https://4xguard.com/commander-2006-2010/jba-jeep-commander-lift-kits/up-grade-superlift-4-in-lift-kit-6-coilover.html

bumpers (want spare off ground, swinging gate, front needs winch mount)
(likely) https://wambumpers.com/

light bars and rock bars (already have some of their products, impressed with fit and finish)
http://thesteelarmadillo.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=76&category_id=10

 

[HattZ]

progress - forced progress, but an improvement, stock transmission crapped out
so...
ATS, Stage 2 2003-09 Dodge HEMI 545RFE 4wd Package, in by Dynamic Diesel out of Snohomish. Great guys at the shop. Only 40 miles or so on it, I'll report back after a few thousand.
They had to leave off the deep pan from ATS due to existing exhaust. Not really sad, it hung down an extra 2+ inches than stock.

 

[Jopina7807]

Nice! Excited to see how this build progresses


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[HattZ]

trip from seattle down to coast of oregon, south of seaside. sad news, now will sometimes bog down and kill engine when shifting to drive from reverse. need to take it back in. haven't had time yet. super depressing, thinking it might be transmission control module might be dying, of course the 5.7 is 400+ and the others are 200... great choice for a first build. hahaha

anyone else had problems going revers to drive and hearing an automatic bog down and die? especially while vehicle is hot and engine is cold (doesn't do it when i leave home, but has happened twice when leaving work)

 

[Jopina7807]

I have not had that problem, but I have the 4.7.