To do... or not to do... 2001 Tahoe 199,000 ... no reverse

[Jstpssng]

When I was having transmission problems way back then it seemed like every tranny shop I talked to told me they were weak. Now a search on the same transmission says that a 4l60 is one of the best out there.

 

[timswi]

When I was having transmission problems way back then it seemed like every tranny shop I talked to told me they were weak. Now a search on the same transmission says that a 4l60 is one of the best out there.

Never had a problem with one, around here they were always considered great tranny's.

 

[MossRoad]

The GM 4L60 is notorious for a weak sun gear shell, absolutely not worth risking a scrap yard trans. It will cost more in the long run when the same thing happens.

7��R4 4L6�E 4L65E Heavy Duty "Beast" Sunshell

The first gen of the 700R was considered weak. After that, they are no different than any other. If you want to build up a motor with big HP and torque, then yes, you should up-build that tranny. For stock, it is fine.

 

[timswi]

The first gen of the 700R was considered weak. After that, they are no different than any other. If you want to build up a motor with big HP and torque, then yes, you should up-build that tranny. For stock, it is fine.

I had a 1983 first gen 700R4 and yeah it was a problem child. Then I found an old dude that built tranny's for drag racers, he was a real character--I'll never forget him. He figured out what GM messed up and that thing was bullet proof after that. Correct shimming, a B&M Transpack and different clutch configuration. It would chirp 2nd gear whenever I wanted.

 

[Jstpssng]

The first gen of the 700R was considered weak. After that, they are no different than any other. If you want to build up a motor with big HP and torque, then yes, you should up-build that tranny. For stock, it is fine.

The feedback I was getting was probably related to your first sentence. One thing which I didn't know until later was that it had an aftermarket remote starter in it; depending on who installed it, that could have caused problems.
One thing they are finally putting in pickups is a transmission temperature gauge. That would have saved me some money. I had the biggest cooler I could find, but that doesn't do much good when it's packed with snow. I got where I was going and got the job done that day though. :~

 

[Btown]

There are reasons why fleet vehicles are replaced before 100,000 miles. Maintenance cost skyrocket. Most likely if the Op spends money on fixing it, they will not get the return of value from it. One can replace parts after parts on vehicles. But reliability goes down fast after 100K. These vehicles are not made to last 1,000,000+ miles like tractor trailers are.

 

[MossRoad]

There are reasons why fleet vehicles are replaced before 100,000 miles. Maintenance cost skyrocket. Most likely if the Op spends money on fixing it, they will not get the return of value from it. One can replace parts after parts on vehicles. But reliability goes down fast after 100K. These vehicles are not made to last 1,000,000+ miles like tractor trailers are.

It depends on the type of fleet. Some go at less than three years and 60,000 miles. Some go 150,000 miles, not years. Some drive until they drop.

With new cars, 100,000 mile warranties, 100,000 mile coolant, 50,000 mile tires, etc... they last longer.

And remember, fleet vehicles tend to get beat to p*** by the drivers, whereas most people try and take care of their personal cars. Mileage is not a good representation of a car's condition in and of itself. It's a good starting point, but only one thing to consider.

 

[Dadnatron]

I've decided to take it in and have it checked out. I'm going to have the mechanic take a look at other 'wear' problem areas as well as the engine. If he finds anything of concern, I'll call it a day. But if things look generally OK, I think I'm going to roll the dice and fix it. As much as it is difficult to stomach, I think I can handle the potential $2000 loss better than the absolute $650/mo payment. Especially since this is primarily for dogs and farm.

We looked around and used Tahoe's with between 40K-75K are running about $35-45K. That is just more than I'd like to spend for this vehicle. I certainly might be eating my words... as I did when i fixed my 4Runner. But, it is a gamble I'll take, if the rest of the truck checks out.

I guess, I can always sell the 'new' transmission for about 1/2 of 'new' if the engine goes in the short term. heh... might not be too bad of a gamble... $1K gamble rather than $2K

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Im in similar position. My old pilot has 351k miles. Transmission starting to slip.
Rest of vehicle pretty good, but dont think ill put any money into it. Probably wil give it away.

 

[fried1765]

What kind of shape is the body in? Any rust at all? How's the interior? Clean?

If the body is good, the interior clean, and no known engine troubles, if it was me, I'd go over to LKQ pick your parts in Lexington and get a used transmission for $100 out of a low mileage wrecked Chevy or GMC and slap it in there. It's most likely a 4L60E transmission, made since 1992 to present. There are literally millions of them out there.

I drive a 1993 Suburban K1500 with that same transmission. I have a spare 4L60E in my garage from a 1993 van I got rid of. It's a fairly easy swap and should take only about an hour to drop the transmission out, and 2 hours to put it back in.

What do I love about my 1993 Suburban.... I paid $6000 for it 10 years ago, and have put about $1000 into it. So $7000 for 10 years and its still worth $1500, so $5500 for 10 years.... that's $550 per year.

I have spent $550 per year on a vehicle for the last 10 years.... think about that. $550 per year.

Even if I put $1000 per year in repairs on it, I'd only be spending $1550 per year on a vehicle.

It takes me to work every day.
It takes my kids to college and back every spring and fall.
It takes my tractor to our remote property and it brings the firewood home.
Just last Saturday I towed my car hauler trailer down about 110 miles away and picked up a loveseat and chairs for one of my kids and brought them home. Used 15 gallons of gas for 220 mile round trip. 14.99MPG.

Would I let my wife and kids drive it without me? Heck no! :laughing: While it works for my needs, it's not dependable in the sense that it can die at any given moment compared to a new truck. If I had to make my living with it, I wouldn't chance it. But I don't have to make my living with it and I don't have to make my wife and kids drive it. So yeah, it's perfect for my needs.

Think about the car payments I have not made for 10 years. Or lease payments. Even if I only paid $400 per month for 12 months, that's $4800 per year for 10 years. That's $48,000 I didn't hand to someone else. That's over $100,000 in the old investment bank when you add up the interest. :laughing:

I just can't stomach buying new vehicles when the one I have works fine.

I could not agree more!
I have not had a car payment since 1992.
My vehicles are:
2010 Corolla - 47,000mi.
2000 Cadillac STS - 84,000mi.
2000 Mercedes clk320 200,000mi.( wonderful car)
1997 K2500 4x4 Suburban (392 cu in.) 130,000mi.
1996 Mercedes E-320 - 111,000mi
1987 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 - 126,000mi. (new eng. trans. & xfer. case)
Certainly, at least a couple more vehicles than I really need.


They are all 100% rust free, and maintained in excellent condition.

 

[MossRoad]

I've decided to take it in and have it checked out. I'm going to have the mechanic take a look at other 'wear' problem areas as well as the engine. If he finds anything of concern, I'll call it a day. But if things look generally OK, I think I'm going to roll the dice and fix it. As much as it is difficult to stomach, I think I can handle the potential $2000 loss better than the absolute $650/mo payment. Especially since this is primarily for dogs and farm.

We looked around and used Tahoe's with between 40K-75K are running about $35-45K. That is just more than I'd like to spend for this vehicle. I certainly might be eating my words... as I did when i fixed my 4Runner. But, it is a gamble I'll take, if the rest of the truck checks out.

I guess, I can always sell the 'new' transmission for about 1/2 of 'new' if the engine goes in the short term. heh... might not be too bad of a gamble... $1K gamble rather than $2K

How's the body on it? Any rust?

 

[Green Power]

My father has a 1999 F-350 7.3L that has 185,000 miles on it.

In 2016 we put a 2015 F350 8' bed and step tailgate on it, that was $3500.
In 2017 spent:
$2500 on a 4R100.
$400 rear driveshaft
$1,300 on complete strip down and then re-assemble of front axle for carrier bearings, seals, U-Joints, ball joints, unit bearings. Gears were fine.

2018 was $3200 for new (not reman) diesel injectors, glow plugs, glow plug relays, under valve cover wire harness.

$11,000 in repairs in the last 4 years. I keep telling him to throw up the white flag. The door bottoms are going bad again and the cab corners are starting to blister. So in the next year he will be spending a few more grand on body work since he will not drive a vehicle with any exposed rust.

But that same money could have made payments on a much newer, slightly used truck that has nicer features. But, the guy loves his old Steelers truck!

Long live the 7.3 PowerStroke!!!

 

[Dadnatron]

How's the body on it? Any rust?

No rust, no dents. It is actually in very good condition. Seats are leather and 200K worn, but no rips. Seat heaters work and power seats function normally. Carpet is good. We mainly use it as a 'catch all' for farm/dogs/saddles/etc. We usually keep the back seat folded flat for room and dogs. But we can put it up for people.

Oh... I do have a license plate light which is out... but otherwise.

 

[Tractorable]

Im in similar position. My old pilot has 351k miles. Transmission starting to slip.
Rest of vehicle pretty good, but dont think ill put any money into it. Probably wil give it away.

351K miles is pretty darn good for a transmission. Is that the original? Gives me hope for my Ridgeline which runs perfect at 215K miles.

I've found that most cars these days will go 100-150k miles without any issues at all. Then you fix a few things and you could easily get another 100-150k out of them.

I fully expect my 2016 Toyota Avalon to go 300K miles. It's used for 90% highway driving. Doesn't even have a timing belt to change. Just tires, brakes, and fluid changes.

 

[MossRoad]

No rust, no dents. It is actually in very good condition. Seats are leather and 200K worn, but no rips. Seat heaters work and power seats function normally. Carpet is good. We mainly use it as a 'catch all' for farm/dogs/saddles/etc. We usually keep the back seat folded flat for room and dogs. But we can put it up for people.

Oh... I do have a license plate light which is out... but otherwise.

Even $2K for a tranny rebuild would be $4K cheaper than car payments for the year.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

351K miles is pretty darn good for a transmission. Is that the original? Gives me hope for my Ridgeline which runs perfect at 215K miles.

I've found that most cars these days will go 100-150k miles without any issues at all. Then you fix a few things and you could easily get another 100-150k out of them.

I fully expect my 2016 Toyota Avalon to go 300K miles. It's used for 90% highway driving. Doesn't even have a timing belt to change. Just tires, brakes, and fluid changes.

All original, except tires, brake pads, changed timing belt twice, new cat converters.

 

[Dadnatron]

Even $2K for a tranny rebuild would be $4K cheaper than car payments for the year.

I agree and am all for it. IF it isn't the bellwether for a whole flock of problems just behind it.

 

[4570Man]

Is this a 2wd or a 4wd? If it's a 2wd dropping it and putting it back in isn't to bad of a job. I doubt the rebuild cost of a dropped transmission isn't that bad. If it's a 4wd dropping a transmission is a pretty good job. If the rest of the vehicle is in good condition I'd fix it. I know I'd fix my 207k surburban with anything less than being totaled.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I was having transmission problems way back then it seemed like every tranny shop I talked to told me they were weak. Now a search on the same transmission says that a 4l60 is one of the best out there.

Are you using Google to do your searches? If so, they will delete or make it impossible to find negative comments to those who pay them to hide that stuff. I would not be surprised if an auto company paid google to hide all negative websites about their products. Try DuckDuckGo to see if you get different results. I've found that for political stuff, it's night and day different in what I can find and what's hidden from me.