Would you replace a Trans as preventative maint?

[Tozan]

OK Here is the set up. I have 209K miles and it has run hot more than a time or two I live in Aridzona. It has been working fine but, I am planning a high mountain elk hunting trip to Colorado next month it will be a 3k round trip...

Remember it has been working fine nothing weird has been happening with it... Should I get the transmission rebuilt or replaced before I go? If I was staying home I wouldn't bother worrying about doing this at all.. Am I just being a worry wort for nothing?

 

[wsteele]

Having had a transmission give up the ghost on one long trip, I would probably be inclined to install a reman and call it good. Mine was a 4 speed, had towed a 5K trailer all around the west (mountains in summer time) in its first 60K miles and at 76K turned turtle on highway 80 about 30 miles east of Reno. Suboptimal as I was taking my dog to UC Davis for cancer treatment.

 

[swathdiver]

I would not spend the money unless something was amiss. If you had more time, you might send a sample of fluid off to Blackstone Labs for analysis. If you plan to change the fluid before the trip, do it asap so if anything is going to go wrong, it will reveal itself before the trip.

Hope you post photos of the hunt afterwards, it's my bucket list to take an elk with my .54 caliber muzzleloader someday.

 

[Bill 1960]

For me it would depend on what is the cost in dollars or disappointment if it trashed your hunting trip. Is there a plan B like a rental feasible?

I don’t think the six speeds are prone to failure without warning.

And my final thought for interstate travel and warranty consideration I wouldn’t touch anything other than a GM reman.

 

[Tozan]

I will be leaving here with a couple spare days before needing to be there so worst case I could leave it at a shop and rent a car to drive over to meet up with my son in Colorado springs.

 

[Geotrash]

I have 217K on that same transmission and wouldn’t think twice about making that trip with it. A rebuild can also invite problems. Failures are common in the first few thousand miles. Send it!

 

[Tiki]

Full send!

 

[donjetman]

3 yrs ago, at 130k miles, I pulled the tranny out to replace the engine rear main seal. I kicked around the idea of replacing/rebuilding the tranny then. An expert convinced me to change the torque converter and leave the tranny alone. So that's what I did. We now have 170k miles and all is well.

 

[Doubeleive]

if it's not giving you any indication of a problem, then just drive it.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

I have 240k on what seems to be original transmission... I now have a built 6.0L hooked to that old Trans. Is running like a champ. I am doing a built transmission.. However I wouldn't bother replacing for preventative maintenance.

Here's what I would do...

Get a Trans temp Guage or swap cluster for one that has Trans temp.

I have done some pretty intense stuff, and my temp has never gotten much over 190.. typically is much lower. If you seem to be towing, climbing off road, etc and getting higher Temps, then install a larger Trans cooler. Will extend life of transmission.

Closely monitor fluid... Pull dip stick and while on white towel... should be pink color. If otherwise change fluid and filter. Some ppl say may wreck old Trans but I haven't ever had that problem... but if 8t does probably needed new / rebuilt transmission anyways.

People bash of 4L60e... I am tearing one down that blew up... It looks checkball messed up valve body and starved of fluid. on top of that was Frankenstein rebuild by somebody who didn't care about quality. probably what killed it to begin with.

I think the quality claims for 4l60e are mostly baseless people who didn't maintain them. I have had half dozen vehicles with them, beat the snott out of every one and never had major issues. Think worst was solenoids in my z28 camaro. They are a great transmission if anything clutches maybe a bit weak but other than that design is solid and proven over decades of production.

If you ever get a rebuild make sure is by a reputable shop, none of those Craigslist specials. I think they throw junk parts in the Craigslist specials. Should be about 500$ in clurches seals etc plus whatever else was needed for rebuild... I would expect good builder to be around 2 grand for a 4l60e... but not under 1000$

Hope that helps.

 

[Tozan]

I have a local guy who was recommended by another shop. He sounds very knowledgeable. He recommends replacing bell housing and billet TC as well as updating other parts. His price is about $3 grand while in there we were going to replace the rear main too.

It looks like I am just going to hold off for right now and Don't worry be Happy...

 

[intheburbs]

If you're not towing, send it. Even at max GVWR, you're really not stressing the transmission. The lift and bigger tires make it worse, but the 4.11s help alleviate that.

 

[Just Fishing]

I would pull the pan to see what it looks like.

If all looks normal, i would just run it.
If you see signs of metal or a bit too much clutch material. Then i might think about it.

Minimum what i would do would be a fluid and filter.

Then follow another fluid change or two before the trip to ensure its all new fluid.
(Depending on how the fluid looks)

 

[Just Fishing]

One somewhat "major" thing i would do as preventive task, fuel pump.

I had one go out 30 miles away from home.
Major pita.

 

[Bill 1960]

I have a local guy who was recommended by another shop. He sounds very knowledgeable. He recommends replacing bell housing and billet TC as well as updating other parts. His price is about $3 grand while in there we were going to replace the rear main too.

It looks like I am just going to hold off for right now and Don't worry be Happy...

Your money, your call, just consider the warranty aspect. Even if he’s the best guy, a local shop is no help if in the future you have a problem in Colorado or elsewhere on the road. That pushed me into ponying up the money for a GM with a 3 year warranty I can take to any dealer.

 

[Tozan]

Well the last 30 minutes of my trip the temp started to rise it hit 230 and stayed there it was mostly rolling hills at 50 mph. It was shifting and sounding normal it was just hotter than I expected. Earlier in my trip pulling monster grades at 80 mph it barley barely got that hot and cooled right back down. Most of the time it was around 195.

 

[swathdiver]

Well the last 30 minutes of my trip the temp started to rise it hit 230 and stayed there it was mostly rolling hills at 50 mph. It was shifting and sounding normal it was just hotter than I expected. Earlier in my trip pulling monster grades at 80 mph it barley barely got that hot and cooled right back down. Most of the time it was around 195.

Well, maybe now is the time.

 

[Bill 1960]

Hopefully that was the last half hour of the return trip. Maybe it’s shedding stuff and plugging the cooler. And / Or the TCC is shot and it’s running unlocked all the time.

 

[BG1988]

OK Here is the set up. I have 209K miles and it has run hot more than a time or two I live in Aridzona. It has been working fine but, I am planning a high mountain elk hunting trip to Colorado next month it will be a 3k round trip...

Remember it has been working fine nothing weird has been happening with it... Should I get the transmission rebuilt or replaced before I go? If I was staying home I wouldn't bother worrying about doing this at all.. Am I just being a worry wort for nothing?

always use a Rental when going on trips


the 4L60e can last forever as long as the temp is at 155-165F spotted a 2LM70 with 300k miles on the original transmission

the 2LM70 is based on on the 4L60e I did have issues with shuttering but it was an electrical issue (insignificant voltage from the electrical system)


Upgrade the cooler to a HD3500 series with AUX fan


Transmissions are temperature sensitive higher the temp the shorter the life...


she works 100% shifts perfectly smooth with 106k.. like BRAND NEW . (Note it does not have a torque converter but a dampening system )

 

[Tozan]

Bg they don't rent off road rigs like mine.