'97 Chevrolet 1500 V6 ok?

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: supton
Worst case was you'd be on the hook for the 4th...

Have to wonder if they were just hard on it, or it has stupid tall highway gears, or it just got shoddy rebuilds.


The original owner of my 96' said the transmission once started shifting really bad, took it to the dealer and they told him it needed a new transmission. He took it to a guy he knew who owned a transmission shop and the guy put in a $300 solenoid and it shifted perfect from then on out.

 

[hattaresguy]

Rebuilds don't last. Mine is original at 134k but I don't tow, never even mounted a hitch. OTOH those are all around town miles so lots of shifting.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Rebuilds don't last. Mine is original at 134k but I don't tow, never even mounted a hitch. OTOH those are all around town miles so lots of shifting.


Ouch. That's a sad statement.

My local trans rebuilder gives a LIFETIME warranty without mileage limits. All he requires is that he see the slushbox once a year...

 

[Volvohead]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Rebuilds don't last.


Throw an aux cooler on it, and it will. Last two rebuilds the trans guy doing them for 50 years insisted on it. Both were still pulling strong when we got rid of them.

I won't buy a new truck anymore unless it has a towing package. AT fluid never gets above 170f with them.

 

[Volvohead]

On the OP's point, we had a '96 4.3. Great engine. Very torquey. Perfect for that usage.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Rebuilds don't last.


Throw an aux cooler on it, and it will. Last two rebuilds the trans guy doing them for 50 years insisted on it. Both were still pulling strong when we got rid of them.

I won't buy a new truck anymore unless it has a towing package. AT fluid never gets above 170f with them.


Careful, new vehicles intentionally run the trans hotter. For better or for worse. Just want to point that out, in case you go shopping any time soon. Also, they may have thermostats which prevent the cooler from doing anything until the manufacturer deems it "warm enough".

*

I'd expect a quality rebuild would fix any weak spots. Aftermarket parts probably exist to fix known issues, and probably are only a few bucks extra to fix.

 

[hattaresguy]

Most modern trucks have a trans cooler. I don't beleive you should have to turn to the aftermarket to make a vehicle work stock.

 

[Volvohead]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Most modern trucks have a trans cooler. I don't beleive you should have to turn to the aftermarket to make a vehicle work stock.




Tell that to the thousands of Ford AXOD owners who needed rebuilds, and rebuilds again. My trans man sent his kids to college on them. A small aux cooler eliminated the problem for those that invested the $25. A standard radiator tank cooler is not enough on some of the higher stressed and/or less well thought-out designs.

BTW, a tow package option is factory equipment.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Rebuilds don't last. Mine is original at 134k but I don't tow, never even mounted a hitch. OTOH those are all around town miles so lots of shifting.


100K on the trans in my Caddy...a TH-200-4R behind a 600lb/ft engine in a 4600lb barge. I've seen plenty of rebuilds go 150,000+ miles in livery service! (In fact, they usually outlasted the factory transmissions.)

 

[supton]

A 200r4 behind a 542? I didn't think they could be built to that level. Better ratios than a 700r4 though, so it makes sense.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Basically, its a lower-stall version of what a really-quick Grand National would run...IIRC, the biggies are a tool steel input shaft, Kevlar clutches, & a HD intermediate drum.

Also, the TH700 only has a Chevy bellhousing, the 200 has the dual (Chevy and BOP) pattern.

 

[JTK]

Yeah, that doesn't make sense unless the vehicle was horribly abused or had shoddy replacement ATs. The 4L60E has some sun/reaction shell issues, but other than that is a pretty darn good box as far as ATs go.