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Blown Auto Tranny

Litahni

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Litahni Enthusiast

Litahni

Posted
Posted

Hi All,

 

We have a 95 Sierra 2500 4x4 with about 155k miles on it. We have had it for about two years and we really like it. Recently though the transmission went out on it. It's got an auto, i believe the 4L60e. Correct me if I'm wrong. Well I was accelerating to get on the freeway and it popped really loud and started screaming. It will crawl forward and we have no reverse. Fluid level and appearance was and is fine. We're thinking we spun the sun gear. Could it be something else? We had it towed and now it's parked awaiting funds to take it to a mechanic as we don't have the facilities for diy. Should we just buy a crate tranny and maybe upgrade to an 80e or have ours rebuilt? We thought about getting a junkyard tranny, but we don't really want to chance it. What's our best option and what do you think is wrong?

 

I searched the threads but I couldn't find any postings similar to this.

 

Thanks,

 

Litahni

Litahni Enthusiast

Litahni

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, it sucks. So, rebuild or replace? Upgrade?? I heard the 60e was a kind of weak tranny for this size of truck and it might be better to upgrade.

rodram Enthusiast

rodram

Posted
Posted

... when my 4L60E quit last year (a year after I bought the '97 truck), I checked around about alternatives for rebuild, replace, or upgrade... it had overheated on the highway while pulling my travel trailer

 

... I understand that 130,000 to 150,000 miles is about average for a 4L60E to crap out

 

... the general advice I received was to get a total transmission and torque convertor rebuild

... alternate was to find a trans in a wrecker yard, but I was concerned that I just might end up with another weak/worn transmission

 

... the conversion to 4L80E is not a simple R&R task.. so I took the route of the total rebuild

 

... I had my mechanic (who I have known for a while and I trust) do this... I wanted someone that I could go back to if there was ever any issue with the 'new' transmission... his price including 1 year warranty was $1600 plus R&R plus taxes, etc. ... and I got it back the next day.. which was important to me because I was to start vacation and needed to pull my travel trailer

 

... if you can't find someone you trust to rebuild it.... GM sells these things rebuilt with a good warranty on them ... for about $1400 or $1600 ...? I can't remember the exact amount

 

... my rebuilt 4L60E runs very good now... and believe me I baby it very carefully, I really don't want to have to replace it again.

 

.. my mechanic used some upgrade parts (clutches, solenoids) in the rebuild and the shifts are much crisper

 

.. most important thing is to keep it from getting hot... get an extra transmission cooler installed (I didn't yet, but will be before this coming summer trailer pulling season)

 

.. when pulling a trailer, NEVER put the transmission in OD/4th gear... keep it at 3 to avoid the constant slippage in the transmission as it moves from 3rd to 4th and back again. (generates too much heat in the transmission...)

 

.. another note... if you do go to a wrecker looking for a transmission... you will need to find an exact model replacement for your truck ... 1995 4x4 ... the 1995's have some "one model year" parts in the transmission... I think related to the torque convertor....

Mike G Enthusiast

Mike G

Posted
Posted

First off, welcome aboard.

 

Secondly, all good info from Rod. The tranny will hold up when built right. For general use, you will get 150k on a factory tranny without a problem. Of course, when they are older and more experienced, you do not really want to test their limitations.

 

Mine went out when my son decided the new motor would haul a construction trailer, the tranny on the other hand.. I found a performance trans guy via recommendation from the dude who built the motor. He did all the work personally, which I preferred over a chain shop. He did everything I expected at a price I was happy to pay. You will want an upgraded convertor, a shift kit, extra cluch pack, hardened sun shell and I think the 60E also can accept a firmer corvette shift servo. Ask questions if you have them.

--Mike

jf781 Enthusiast

jf781

Posted
Posted

Correct me if I'm wrong but should a 3/4 ton come with the 4l80e or did they put the 60e in both the 1/2 and 3/4 tons in 95?

rodram Enthusiast

rodram

Posted
Posted

... depends on the model and GVW ... the 2500's of the day (gmt400) had a wide range of GVW and corresponding suspension and drive train options

 

.. my 2500 is GVW 7200 lbs, 2wd, 6-lug wheels, .... and 4L60E transmission

.. there are 4x4's with 6-lug wheels & 4L60E

.. and there are 2wd and 4x4's with 8-lug wheels ... I think this is where the 4L80E comes in

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

4L70e doesn't have 7 lugs.. :) It has 6...

 

1500's have the 4L60e light duty

1500 Vmax have the 4L70e 'medium duty

1500HD and 2500's have the 4L80e Heavy duty

2500 Dmax have the allison

jf781 Enthusiast

jf781

Posted
Posted
4L70e doesn't have 7 lugs.. :) It has 6...

 

1500's have the 4L60e light duty

1500 Vmax have the 4L70e 'medium duty

1500HD and 2500's have the 4L80e Heavy duty

2500 Dmax have the allison

 

For current models right - but for a 95 no. And actually ford has a heavy 1/2 version of the f150 that has 7 lug axles.

BKfirefighter3221 Enthusiast

BKfirefighter3221

Posted
Posted

A company like Jasper makes an excelent remanufactured transmission with dozens of upgrades over factory units. Like a heavier drum for that no reverse problem. But, you can expect to pay atleast double over a local rebuilder. If you go with a local in house rebuilder, do your homework first. DON'T go with the cheepest in town, it may only last the warranty period or less!!! And when you're dealing with that kind of money "going cheep" will definately be a mistake.

Last time I checked Jasper has a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty that's nation wide. Most local shops I know are a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

If your gonna replace it...and you love the truck...A GM replacement trans is about 2500 bones and comes with a 3 year warranty.

 

You get a shift kit and a set of corvette servos when you're replacing it to give you firmer shifts and a longer trans life. Or you can step up to the 4L80E for 700 or 800 bucks more. Again I would toss a shift kit in for good measure.

Litahni Enthusiast

Litahni

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the advice folks. We're thinking we're going to order a reman from Jasper. I checked out their website and was really impressed with their product and their warranty. I like that they automatically build in the upgrades that are needed to improve the factory trannys. We're looking at about $2500 installed, which isn't too bad with a 100k/3yr warranty. They even had 6 local installers for us to choose from. We'll be getting it fixed in March, just in time for summer camping and wheeling.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the advice folks. We're thinking we're going to order a reman from Jasper. I checked out their website and was really impressed with their product and their warranty. I like that they automatically build in the upgrades that are needed to improve the factory trannys. We're looking at about $2500 installed, which isn't too bad with a 100k/3yr warranty. They even had 6 local installers for us to choose from. We'll be getting it fixed in March, just in time for summer camping and wheeling.

Its good they have local install...that means you should be able to go there for warranty work if needed.

  • 1 year later...
mcmurraysc New Member

mcmurraysc

Posted
Posted

Hello, I am new to the forums here. It seems like this post was relatively close to my issue so I decided to post here even tho it is over a year old.

 

I quite recently aquired a 94 GMC Sierra 2500. The main purpose for the truck is to drive to work on occassion and perhaps haul something. It has high miles (almost 250,000) but I hoped it would hold out at least a year since it would not see heavy use. Engine seems strong with no leaks that I have noticed. However the tranny seems to have not been so lucky. The other day I pulled out into some heavy traffic and "stepped on it" to get into a gap. The truck seemed to shift funny. I don't remember if there was any noise except for reving high. When I let off the gas it did shift but it was not like normal. I'd say it almost seemed smoother if it was not for reving high just before the shift. I hoped this would return to "normal" but it was the same on the return trip any time I had to start from a stop. Only when I got home did I realize I had lost reverse as well. I also noticed at this point that there is a whiring noise (not super loud) that was not there before. The noise is present in Park, Neutral and Reverse although pitch changes in Reverse. Similar noise is heard in Drive but only as the truck starts to move and it sounds more constant than like a whiring sound.

 

I guess my question is: Is there any posibility that the tranny does not need to be replaced (I'm not holding my breath). Or can anyone familiar with the issue provide additional details that could help me? Thank you in advance!

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

its done,

 

you can get it rebuilt with 1 yr warranty ....or

 

have it replaced with a rebuilt unit,i recommend GM for this cuz their trannies have a 3 yr 160k KM warranty ,,and every tranny replaced at a dealer SHOULD have the cooler flushed and flow rate thru the cooler measured and recorded on the work order for warranty purposes.

 

do not put a used tranny in,its a crap shoot,

 

decision time,17 yr old truck,if you are gonna keep it ,get the SRTA (Service Replacement Transmission Assembly) from GM,

 

i am biased for these trannies as i bought 1 before i left GM lol

 

good luck

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