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BurbMan's avatar
BurbMan
Explorer II
May 23, 2016

*FINAL UPDATE* Stuck in Newton NJ with a blown transmission

Some of you old timers on the forum may recall that I lost reverse on the 4L80E transmission almost 3 years ago, Sept of 2013, backing the TT into a campsite. Being stuck in rural KY and with no transmission rebuilder anyone would recommend, I went with a Jasper reman unit with 36 month 100k warranty.

Fast forward to today, coming back from PA and climbing the grades in NJ on eastbound I-80 coming out of the Delaware water gap. I kicked it down into 3rd and about halfway up one grade the tach jumped up from 3k to 4500 and we started losing speed. Coasted over to the shoulder and that was where we stayed. No loud noise, no loss of fluid at all, just no forward motion.

After 40 mins on hold with Good Sam, they said they would call me back. I decided on a whim to shift into L1 and lo and behold we had movement. L2 and still moving. So I eased back into the right lane with the flashers on and was able to hold 40 mph in 2nd gear until the next exit. At the exit we see a sign for a CG and decide to go for it. Made it about 1 mi from the CG and one hill on the country road we were on wiped out what was left of the tranny.

Good Sam finally called and they came with a flatbed for the Suburban and a pickup to tow the trailer and took both to Great Divide CG in Newton, NJ.

I know a few folks said Jasper was junk when I put this unit in 3 yrs ago, and now it's toast with less than 30k miles on it. I did the required fluid/filter change at 5k miles, have been running Dex IV synthetic, and the trans never ever got hotter than 200*. Hopefully Jasper will stand behind their warranty since there are 4 months left and put a new unit in.

I need to get on this ASAP tomorrow morning, if anyone knows a good shop that's a Jasper dealer, lemme know. Fortunately DD and her fiance live over in Parsippany and they were able to come and get us. Now to get the truck fixed.
  • Looks like D&E Service in Andover and Hayden's in Sparta are the 2 closest Jasper dealers, any info on either of these guys?
  • Marty a 6L90 would be nice for sure, but I don't think the electronics are compatible...I'm sure it could be done with a custom tune tho....
  • 1-800-827-7455 is Jasper. They will need your number on your warranty book, that number is also on the trans itself usually on the bell housing drivers side. A blue label maybe 1x3 inches if I remember right. I would be very surprised if they didn't take care of it quickly. Been dealing with them for years.
  • Ask the owners of the campground. They are good people from what I know. They may be able to offer a recommendation. Unless under warranty that is.

    If your warranty is done with Jasper I'd personally think about finding a Chevy dealer and getting a factory reman installed.

    Good luck.
  • My first call would be to Jasper to explain the situation and follow what they recommend.
    You need that warranty to stay valid.
  • Wonder if you can stuff a 6l90E in your rig. Better gearing, better miles out of the trans overall.......Sorry to say I am not surprised. ALL of the TH400/4l80E transmissions I have had behind BB V8's doing heavy duty towing and hauling have averaged 30-35K between rebuilds! That too is with 5K flushes and filter changes. First gear is way the hecko to tall for getting loads moving. hence it will heat up with out trying. I have a 95K on y 2000 C2500 with a 350. But it has not had near as hard a life as the BB setups did. This is mostly a grocery getter, smaller 3500 lb single axel mower trailer puller. BUT, it still has to go up some steeper 15-20% grades to get to job sites.

    Marty
  • That definitely stinks! I too hope they do what's right and take care of you!
    Good luck
  • Yikes, sorry to hear this BurbMan. Hope Jasper honors their warranty.
  • Jasper has a find an installer page
    http://www.jasperengines.com/find-an-installer