Front-end tire/alignment/shocks problems

I have this 99 Tacoma 2.4 and it has been a POS. I've done a lot of work on it, but it's very flaky. Engine runs great, compression excellent, but feels very underpowered, sometimes hesitates. The overheating problems it had got taken care of with a new water pump and radiator. Tranny feels like it might be slipping ( not sure how to check that for sure). About a year ago, I undid the lowering the previous moron of an owner did to it. replaced front struts and shocks and removed blocks from the back. Had an alignment about a year ago. Biggest problem right now is it feels like the shocks are totally gone again. I can feel every single little pebble, very rough, and it eats up tires like crazy. A few weeks ago I went over a bump a little too fast and the lower balljoint on one side just sheared off. (didn't pop out, it just broke) I had just replaced it a little over a year ago. Piece of CRAP!
So I replaced the lower and upper balljoints on that side. It makes all sorts of creaky, popping noises when turning. Where do I take it to get a really good idea of what it will take to get it in good shape again and not get ripped off?

how can I tell if the tranny is bad?