2001 dodge ram 2500 transmission issue

[fireturk41]

my buddy has a dodge ram 2500, 2001 auto trans with 160,000 miles. it doesnt want to shift out of first gear, but if you let off the gas itll eventually shift. this trasnsmission is regularly serviced, no metal in the fluid or pan and no CEL. he put something like a trans fix fluid in when it first started messing up, it worked for a little bit, then continued. also when it first started it seemed like the torque converter was locking then unlocking while towing. any ideas on what it is or is it screwed

 

[transman731]

the inner seal in the direct drum is bad, and now the rest of the trans is also shot because he poured brake fluid in it.(trans fix)

when you rebuild it there is an updated seal to prevent it from happening again. chrysler machined the inner seal grove too big and when the seal shrinks it no longer fills the piston enough to seal.

 

[fireturk41]

the inner seal in the direct drum is bad, and now the rest of the trans is also shot because he poured brake fluid in it.(trans fix)
when you rebuild it there is an updated seal to prevent it from happening again. chrysler machined the inner seal grove too big and when the seal shrinks it no longer fills the piston enough to seal.

how much would it cost to get rebuilt if we removed the transmission on average, or would it be cheaper to buy a refurb unit somewhere