2021 Silverado 4.3 ATF Service question

[JeffKeryk]

The guy who does a lot of work on my properties just got a 2021 Silverado WT 2wd with the 4.3L 6 banger. I'm gonna service it and noticed there is no transmission drain plug or a dip stick. It seems to drop the pan you have to lower the exhaust. I am not sure I wanna get into this on my garage floor, for a number of reasons...

So should I just have a shop do a spill-and-fill with filter service or a flush? Vehicle is really clean with about 120K. I have no service history.
And thanks GM for your great "no drain plug" design and "just drop the exhaust" for a simple service.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Silverado12]

I had an exhaust shop lower the crossover on my 2012 4.3 Silverado so I could access the transmission pan. Dorman probably has a pan for his unit but IDK for sure; I have one for my 4L Slippy. Since you're in California (I assume you don't have rust) you can probably loosen the manifold nuts and lower the exhaust. Use plenty of anti seize when you put the nuts back on. This will be a one-time thing for a while as you can do a few drain and fills w/o changing the filter if you can find a pan w/drain plug.

 

[JTK]

A pan drop/cleaning and then a cooler line fluid exchange would be the Cadillac of service for it IMO.

I'd imagine the exhaust would come right apart on a CA vehicle, but I hear you..

 

[Silverado12]

I'm assuming you have the 6 speed fluid pan.

 

[CleanSump]

At 120k with no record of a change, the filter should be replaced and pan cleaned of gunk/swarf.
I had a Blazer that needed the exhaust dropped, the transmission mount unbolted, and rear crossmember had to be moved back. I only only dropped the pan once, changed it to a drain plug pan, then did spill and fills every 40k.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I'm assuming you have the 6 speed fluid pan.

I will get a better look when I service the engine and rear. In the old days we would just weld in a drain bung, but I'm not sure where to go for this nowadays. Regardless, it is a poor design no matter how ya slice it. My old Tundra is so simple in comparison.
Thanks for your help!

 

[supton]

Tundra doesn’t really need a pan drop either, Aisin prefers to use rock catchers for a filter. Might be good to clean the magnets—but if they are loaded up… do you really want to know that?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Tundra doesn’t really need a pan drop either, Aisin prefers to use rock catchers for a filter. Might be good to clean the magnets—but if they are loaded up… do you really want to know that?

I dropped the pan in my Tundra and swapped the filter when I got it. Easy peasey, just a little messy. MaxLife spill-and-fills every 25K to 30K since. I'd drive this truck anywhere. The Silverado is a poor design in comparison. I just don't get it. Why?

 

[GW.]

The joy of lifetime transmission fluid….

 

[supton]

I dropped the pan in my Tundra and swapped the filter when I got it. Easy peasey, just a little messy. MaxLife spill-and-fills every 25K to 30K since. I'd drive this truck anywhere. The Silverado is a poor design in comparison. I just don't get it. Why?

Went down the assembly line easier?

I did a pan drop on my Tundra and it was ok, but never again. Dirt driveway scared me with its dirt. Plus in the future those bolts are apt to snap, or my fear is of that.

 

[clinebarger]

I'm assuming you have the 6 speed fluid pan.

Never seen a 6L80 in a fullsize truck chassis without a dipstick & tube, This is likely a 8L90 that requires Dexron HP

 

[4wd]

Never seen a 6L80 in a fullsize truck chassis without a dipstick & tube, This is likely a 8L90 that requires Dexron HP

Yep, by far the easiest I own is the 6L80 - Lexus is the worst …

 

[Egg_Head]

Using a Mityvac via the fill tube will remove nearly 4.5 quarts. EDIT: I read now the vehicle does not have one.

 

[Stimp]

This!

A pan drop/cleaning and then a cooler line fluid exchange would be the Cadillac of service for it IMO.

I'd imagine the exhaust would come right apart on a CA vehicle, but I hear you..

The cooler lines in most late model GMs are held in with a c-clip and 3/8" OD poly tubing fits perfectly in its place. Pop the upper and do a flush. Just Googled 2021 silverado and it looks the same as any other:

It works great:

 

[tblt44]

Add a drain plug.
They have them in the help section at advanced auto.
Just drill a hole and install