Lost the Transmission Today - WED 10/2 Update
*Update at end of thread* Well at 144K miles it finally gave up. Had a great drive today down to Western KY for some camping. Campsite was challenging to say the least...trees on both sides of th...
Forum Discussion
I never had any indications of failure...I just changed the fluid and filter this spring, fluid looked good, no debris in the pan, etc. When I lost reverse there was no drama in terms of noise, smoke, fluid loss, nothing. Just no reverse.
I was telling a friend yesterday that I always had it in my mind that when the trans started to go, I would track down a rebuilder that specializes in 4L80E's and get the HD upgrades on the TC, internals and whatever else. I was confident that there would be signs of slippage, erratic shifts or whatever that would let me know it was time for a rebuild. Well, either there were no signs or I completely missed them. Since I had all forward gears left, I thought about limping home and finding a rebuilder, but in the end I concluded that it was just not possible to hitch up to an 8500 lb TT with no reverse, especially when the terrain slopes away from the front of the TT.
At any rate, Jasper claims that they "address" known weak points in transmissions with their rebuilds. Frankly, there are few if any factory weak spots in the 4L80E, it's a pretty stout unit. The way I look at it, it took me 12 1/2 years to put 145k miles on this truck. So if I "only" get another 150k miles from the new transmission, the engine will be at 300k and the truck will be 25 years old, and most likely retired from towing duty.
I am well within all the ratings on the truck so I am not asking it to do magic tricks. The best part is that Jasper gives me 3 yr 100K mile warranty on the unit, so any problems and I get it replaced.
NOTE to covetsthesun: The ONLY approved fluid for the 4L60E in your Silverado is Dexron VI. BUT, Dex VI is not a brand, it's a specification, and is made by several manufacturers. valvoline makes a Dex VI, see here. If yiu had the work done at the dealer I can guarantee you they used Dex VI spec fluid, and Valvoline happens to be a good brand, so I wouldn't worry about it.
I was telling a friend yesterday that I always had it in my mind that when the trans started to go, I would track down a rebuilder that specializes in 4L80E's and get the HD upgrades on the TC, internals and whatever else. I was confident that there would be signs of slippage, erratic shifts or whatever that would let me know it was time for a rebuild. Well, either there were no signs or I completely missed them. Since I had all forward gears left, I thought about limping home and finding a rebuilder, but in the end I concluded that it was just not possible to hitch up to an 8500 lb TT with no reverse, especially when the terrain slopes away from the front of the TT.
At any rate, Jasper claims that they "address" known weak points in transmissions with their rebuilds. Frankly, there are few if any factory weak spots in the 4L80E, it's a pretty stout unit. The way I look at it, it took me 12 1/2 years to put 145k miles on this truck. So if I "only" get another 150k miles from the new transmission, the engine will be at 300k and the truck will be 25 years old, and most likely retired from towing duty.
I am well within all the ratings on the truck so I am not asking it to do magic tricks. The best part is that Jasper gives me 3 yr 100K mile warranty on the unit, so any problems and I get it replaced.
NOTE to covetsthesun: The ONLY approved fluid for the 4L60E in your Silverado is Dexron VI. BUT, Dex VI is not a brand, it's a specification, and is made by several manufacturers. valvoline makes a Dex VI, see here. If yiu had the work done at the dealer I can guarantee you they used Dex VI spec fluid, and Valvoline happens to be a good brand, so I wouldn't worry about it.
