Questions After Buying My New To Me 1500

shawnmd · January 30, 2009

My truck is a 2002 reg cab 2wd v6 auto. I have read through my codes and it appears my axle ratio is the 3.42. I am primarily using the truck to drive back and forth to work, 25 km each way, on pretty flat highway. When looking for a full size truck, I was looking primarily for the best fuel economy. I think this truck fits the bill, for my uses anyway, especially with the 3.42. Am I correct?

Also, for some reason, my speedomater and odometer quit. Where should I look first? Fuses?

I am going to change the fluids and get the transmission flushed. What types are recommended for rear end and transmission?

I have read on here that flushing the transmission is much better, on these trucks, than dump and fill. This is opposite from my wife's Ford Escape. They recommend dump and fill because they same that the pressure from the flushing machine has the potential to dislodge gunk causing even more issues. What do you think?

mattjulien · January 30, 2009

My truck is a 2002 reg cab 2wd v6 auto. I have read through my codes and it appears my axle ratio is the 3.42. I am primarily using the truck to drive back and forth to work, 25 km each way, on pretty flat highway. When looking for a full size truck, I was looking primarily for the best fuel economy. I think this truck fits the bill, for my uses anyway, especially with the 3.42. Am I correct?
Also, for some reason, my speedomater and odometer quit. Where should I look first? Fuses?

I am going to change the fluids and get the transmission flushed. What types are recommended for rear end and transmission?

I have read on here that flushing the transmission is much better, on these trucks, than dump and fill. This is opposite from my wife's Ford Escape. They recommend dump and fill because they same that the pressure from the flushing machine has the potential to dislodge gunk causing even more issues. What do you think?

1) Yes you have the best setup for fuel economy. The only thing that suffers would be towing and hauling.

2)Yes. Start simple and look for fuses first.

3)DO NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION. You are right...it dislodges gunk. I had this done on my old truck and the tranny failed at 90k. Also you must CHANGE the filter when you drop the pan.

The best thing to do for your transmission would be to drop the pan and clean everything, change the filter, and fill the bottom of the pan with a quart of Lucas, and top it off with some Dextron 6 tranny fluid. Fill the rear end with a good quality gear oil, and if your rear end is positraction make sure you have the positraction additive.

dlstewart01 · January 30, 2009

My truck is a 2002 reg cab 2wd v6 auto. I have read through my codes and it appears my axle ratio is the 3.42. I am primarily using the truck to drive back and forth to work, 25 km each way, on pretty flat highway. When looking for a full size truck, I was looking primarily for the best fuel economy. I think this truck fits the bill, for my uses anyway, especially with the 3.42. Am I correct?
Also, for some reason, my speedomater and odometer quit. Where should I look first? Fuses?

I am going to change the fluids and get the transmission flushed. What types are recommended for rear end and transmission?

I have read on here that flushing the transmission is much better, on these trucks, than dump and fill. This is opposite from my wife's Ford Escape. They recommend dump and fill because they same that the pressure from the flushing machine has the potential to dislodge gunk causing even more issues. What do you think?

1) Yes you have the best setup for fuel economy. The only thing that suffers would be towing and hauling.

2)Yes. Start simple and look for fuses first.

3)DO NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION. You are right...it dislodges gunk. I had this done on my old truck and the tranny failed at 90k. Also you must CHANGE the filter when you drop the pan.

The best thing to do for your transmission would be to drop the pan and clean everything, change the filter, and fill the bottom of the pan with a quart of Lucas, and top it off with some Dextron 6 tranny fluid. Fill the rear end with a good quality gear oil, and if your rear end is positraction make sure you have the positraction additive.

Rear diff. Check the label in your glove box. If it has G80, you have a locker. Limited slips were put in cars. Your truck came from the factory with synthetic fluid. Any GL-5 synthetic will do. GM says NOT to put a limited slip additive in the G80 as it will slow down the locking mechanism and could cause damage.

See this.

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/autoworld2613.shtml

Don