Oobray

So you guys don't think at 200k with burned fluid and a sloppy 3-4 shift it ought to be worked on. I told him the issue and he said he was going to get in there and replace what needs replacing. I'm planning a 2k mi trip with the camper through CO and NM next month and I want to go with confidence. What else should I look at? Oh, he's also going to install the transgo shift kit.

Doc_speeder

iTrader: (1)

Well, 200k is quite a bit, but is the fluid burned or just dark from lots of miles without servicing? The fluid in my wife's Mazda gets very dark, but it's not burned, just dark from clutch wear etc.

Also, with a big block, the 3-4 shift is pretty lazy with a stock trans and tune. I just want to make sure you're not confusing sloppy with slippy. Either way, at 200k it's not going to be fresh as new, and a rebuild won't hurt. Just make sure that you address any other issues that may be related at the same time.

Oobray

Ok, I'll make sure to go over the issue again with him. He was pretty adamant that he would not be replacing things unless it needed it. His idea was to go in and look around and replace as necessary. I'm hoping the tranny work (including shift kit) and a blackbear tune will make the trip through the mountains enjoyable. Thanks for all the insight guys. I'll see if he can help me with any other issues too.

Vindii

Maybe I misunderstood. It sounded like you were just going to pull the old one and have a new trans put in.

Oobray

Sorry if I made it sound that way.
So I got a call from the tranny shop today. The guy said that he routinely impressed with the 4L80's and how well they wear over time. He said for a vehicle with almost 200k the tranny actually looks pretty good. He said the fluid was black because it must not have ever been changed often. He said that it was a good thing I brought it in because the "forward drum" and "Direct Drum" had significant wear, to the point where he believed the tranny was "going to go out" sometime soon. So he's replacing those. He's putting in a billet converter and a Superior valve body. He's also replacing the boost valves and some other stuff. He's going to give me a detailed sheet of all of it. Total cost is going to be $2,390.25. He also said he was really pleased that this tranny has a "5 pin planetary" instead of the usual 4 pin. Don't know what that is, but he was really impressed. So I guess its good.

Doc_speeder

iTrader: (1)

Yep. 4L60 vs 4L80. One little digit, but a world of difference. My 4L80E has about 150k on it. I run it pretty hard, and it's towed a bunch of weight over some big *** mountain passes lots of times. They're good units for sure.

Oobray

I got my truck back. Man, the TC must have been slipping a lot. They installed a billet converter, Superior shift kit, and new planetaries. It feels like I got a 50-60HP increase. I know it's just more of the engines power getting to the wheels, but man it feels awesome! Real test will be in two weeks when I pull the trailer up in to CO and see how she does going through the mountains. That's going to tell me whether or not I'm keeping this rig.

Kerr

I didn't read it all, but you have a loss of power or your climbing Mount Everest,

As for rpms I think stock the truck makes max torque about 2500.

The mileage will always suck. It's the nature of the beast. Don't regear.

Check the mass air or replace it. I've had two dine on mine, both time I had no lights. Hold it wide open to run 70 mph unloaded. Also the cats could be clogged.

7k lb trailer you should be able to cruise all day at 70-80

I tow my cars , 26 foot big tex then different cars, heaviest car was cayenne turbo on trailer and had no problem running 80.

Kerr

01 2500 suburban. 3" body lift , keys , 2" block in the rear

I leveled it out with the torsion bar bolts but as you all know there is only so much you can do before its un drivable,

I jumped on line and looked at them but most don't really tell why they are better or how in terms of realigning etc etc.

I'd like to have some that have more travel, and align everything up again and ride better for sure.

On line I've seen them $350 to 999. But for the most part they look the same with the exception of the kryptonite ones that Dmax store sales. But they don't have any info.

Truck sees a LOT of off road abuse so the strongest would be good

Oobray

Well, I just had a pretty long towing road trip. I'll post experience in a new thread...