Dude, that sucks about the lock...Good idea on the quad cab handle but for sure keep an extra key pad batt in your wallet or something just in case! Your transmission problems could be sloved possibly with a built 4l60 I hear its an electronic 700r4 and thats what I ran in my 94 with a built 5.7 and that tranny never tore up. It would catch a 2nd gear scratch with 33 12.50 tires!