In 1970, James R. McGeachin opened an AAMCO Transmission franchise on Skyline Drive in Idaho Falls, dedicating himself to providing the region’s highest-quality transmission service and repairs. After just four months, Jim made the bold decision to become independent, and Western Transmission was born.
Western Transmission quickly earned a reputation for exceptional service and honesty, and the business began to grow. With transmission parts being difficult to find and often overpriced, Jim recognized the need to stock his own parts. This move not only kept repair costs down but also positioned Western Transmission as a supplier to other local automotive shops. As word spread, parts sales grew, expanding into Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
In 1974, Jim opened a new building adjacent to Western Transmission, founding Idaho Transmission Warehouse (ITW) as a wholesale parts supplier. The mission was clear: provide quality parts and top-notch service at fair prices. The team at ITW understood that nobody wants a vehicle on a lift longer than necessary, so getting the right parts the first time became a core priority.
By 1982, Jim’s vision expanded even further when an opportunity arose to open a wholesale parts store in Boise, which would serve Western Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington. Jim’s son Jimmy moved to Boise to oversee the new location, and ITW continued to grow, gaining a reputation for reliable parts and excellent customer service.
In 1989, Jimmy launched High Torque, a torque converter remanufacturing plant, which allowed both Western Transmission and ITW to produce their own torque converters, enhancing their service offerings even further.
Jim retired in 1992, but his legacy lives on today with the third generation of the McGeachin family continuing to operate the business. We remain committed to reinvesting in our inventory and product offerings, working closely with our suppliers to ensure we have the latest parts and solutions for transmissions that are starting to hit shops after their warranties expire. We continue to stand by our commitment to providing quality parts, service, and honest work—just as Jim set out to do more than 50 years ago.
