Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

[keith2k455]

OK, so unfortunately I need a new transmission in my GM tow vehicle. Only 104K on it and I've owned it for about a month, but I took it to a place for a bad 2-3 shift and they said it's the 3-4 clutch pack starting to go. Said it's just started to go. It's a 4L60E and they quoted me $3200 installed.

I've changed transmissions before and think I can do this my self, I just need to buy one from a reliable source. Anyone have any good suggestions? I see transdepot.net out there, but don't know much about them. I'm also going to call Advanced Auto Parts to see what one will cost.

Any suggestions will be great.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Not sure what year or whether its 2wd or 4wd, but for my Trailblazer with a 5.3l and 4L60E, Autozone has them for less than $1400 with a 3 year warranty. Not sure of the quality, but my buddy put one in his Avalanche about a year ago without issue.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

It's a 2003 Escalade (AWD) and after more talking it should be the 4L65E version of the 4L60E. I was looking at those Moveras transmissions at Advance and Napa, but they are not a full rebuild, just the broken stuff is replaced. At least the places like Mad Dog Transmissions and Transmission Depot replace everything inside. I'll have to check out Autozone to see about the one they sell.

 

[matt167]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Check your local, reputable non chain transmission shop. They will warranty the transmission AND their labor to install it. If you have a shop install a rebuild from the parts store and it goes south, you may have the transmission warranty covered, but not their labor.

It will probably be in the $3k range for a full rebuild

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

It will probably be in the $3k range for a full rebuild

Matt....there lies the problem. I don't have just shy of 4k to spend right now. I've done plenty of th350 swaps so feel I can do this. I think I should be able to get a trans in the 1500 range and do the labor, just need to be sure I get a good trans.

I see mad dog transmissions and it sounds like he does a good rebuild...anyone have experience with him?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

If you are on a budget and can live without the truck for a few days then consider doing it yourself. About $250 in parts and an ATSG manual as long as you own some tools. Rebuilding an automatic isn't rocket surgery, it just takes some patience.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Those 4L60E's really are junk. Had an S-10, the tranny went at 100k, too.

 

[babbot]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Give a call to GM dealer. I know it might sound crazy and call a few of them since they all have different prices. I replaced a tranny on my k2500 a couple years ago and it was a couple hundred cheaper to get a new one then a rebuild. mine is a manual tranny but still can't hurt to try.

 

[gm280]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

If you are on a budget and can live without the truck for a few days then consider doing it yourself. About $250 in parts and an ATSG manual as long as you own some tools. Rebuilding an automatic isn't rocket surgery, it just takes some patience.

I'd have to second what "oldjeep" suggested. Rebuild it yourself. It seriously isn't that hard to do. I've rebuilt many of them myself and every one of them is still running to this day. The master rebuild kits are around $100 dollars or so and they include all the clutches and steels (plates) and of course all the necessary gaskets, bearings, bushings, ?O? rings and seals as well. As far as the valve body, remove it like you would any other mechanical assembly and take it apart in a sequenced order lying on a clean shop towel with the parts aligned from each valve section just like you removed them. Also take pictures along the way. Those valve bodies are nothing special and most of the time all they need is cleaned and reassembled. You should have way less than $200-$250 dollars in your rebuild effort as well and learn so much too. And if you have no idea how to do the rebuild, they make videos that show how to take every part apart and how it goes together as well as specific manuals for that transmission. Look at it this way, it is already broken. What else could you possible do to it...make it work again? It seems like so many parts until you realize the entire transmission is assembled in sections or modules. So you work each section/module separately and that's it... They even show how to test it before reinstalling with common shop tools and some air! You could also go to the salvage yard and buy one that needs rebuilt for a song (I?ve done that myself) and when you finish with the rebuild, swap your with the newly rebuilt unit to save down time...JMHO! If I can do it, anybody can...I?m not a rocket surgeon by any stretch!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

I'd have to second what "oldjeep" suggested. Rebuild it yourself. It seriously isn't that hard to do. I've rebuilt many of them myself and every one of them is still running to this day. The master rebuild kits are around $100 dollars or so and they include all the clutches and steels (plates) and of course all the necessary gaskets, bearings, bushings, “O” rings and seals as well. As far as the valve body, remove it like you would any other mechanical assembly and take it apart in a sequenced order lying on a clean shop towel with the parts aligned from each valve section just like you removed them. Also take pictures along the way. Those valve bodies are nothing special and most of the time all they need is cleaned and reassembled. You should have way less than $200-$250 dollars in your rebuild effort as well and learn so much too. And if you have no idea how to do the rebuild, they make videos that show how to take every part apart and how it goes together as well as specific manuals for that transmission. Look at it this way, it is already broken. What else could you possible do to it...make it work again? It seems like so many parts until you realize the entire transmission is assembled in sections or modules. So you work each section/module separately and that's it... They even show how to test it before reinstalling with common shop tools and some air! You could also go to the salvage yard and buy one that needs rebuilt for a song (I’ve done that myself) and when you finish with the rebuild, swap your with the newly rebuilt unit to save down time...JMHO! If I can do it, anybody can...I’m not a rocket surgeon by any stretch!

Don't forget the replacement torque convertor in your cost. Nothing worse that going through all the trouble of a rebuild and then tossing an old convertor back on.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Don't forget the replacement torque convertor in your cost. Nothing worse that going through all the trouble of a rebuild and then tossing an old convertor back on.

A replacement torque converter... AND flushing the transmission coolers out! Nothing worse than putting your rebuilt transmission in, and having the coolers cough all the burnt contaminated fluid into the fresh tranny...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Ya, remember the torque convertor, small price big implications. Been there done that!

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

easy to rebuild, replace the torque converter and flush the lines, replace all the clutches, and steels if damaged or blue, maybe stronger valves, not hard at all

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

I didn't check if one of these would fit your aplplication. These are 4l60Es:
Automatic Transmissions - SummitRacing.com

Here's a 4L65E, fits '97 - '13......
Chevrolet Performance Automatic Transmissions 19260380 - SummitRacing.com

I love Summitt. I try to do as much business as I can with them. Great customer service too......

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

My first response was hell no I'm not rebuilding, but then reason took over. No sense in spending a ton of cash on an old vehicle. I'm gonna throw a new servo, boost valve and shift kit at it ....see how long it takes to start slipping good and then rebuild it myself.

Thanks for talking some sense in to me...just saved a few grand...and if I screw it up after this 400 in parts, what's the worst that will happen....I need to buy a new trans?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

Just make sure to pick up a service manual on that model and methodically do it step by step and you will be fine, they really are not hard to do, just lots of little details you need to make sure you do correctly.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

I'm gonna throw a new servo, boost valve and shift kit at it ....see how long it takes to start slipping good and then rebuild it myself.

Ehh..
I don't know about a shift kit. From what I've heard from people in the know, throwing a shift kit in a working transmission with allot of miles isn't a good idea, let alone a slipping one. Burnt clutches are burnt clutches. Fiddling with the brains of the trans dosen't mean you are gunna get any more work out of the servants (clutch packs).

 

[gm280]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

I seriously have rebuilt many of that same transmission and for the life of me, I can't understand how anybody can charge over $3000 dollars to have one rebuilt. I mean you could easily buy a remanufactured one for around $1000 dollars with a warrantee and do the swap out yourself and have the same results for near $2000 dollars saving... If people only knew just how a transmission actually worked they would never pay those outrageous prices for what they truly get... I would much rather rebuilt a automatic transmission then any auto engine any day... And the 4L60E is a very easy trans to build too...

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

I've never heard anyone talk bad about a shift kit at any time, but agree if the clutch pack is toast, then toast is toast.

I'm working on the assumption that it happens at a very specific condition ... Over 3500 rpm in regular mode ... When I hear people say 2-3 flare my truck comes to mind... the fact the slip code isn't thrown yet and that I don't notice it in tow mode (w/o trailer) as all signs the clutch pack may not be too worn.

200 in parts ordered, a day bonding with my garage floor and radio, some mild swearing and the possibility the flare goes away is worth it. I may be wasting my time, but if it works will be totally worth it.

I'll keep you all posted.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Where to buy a transmission for GM truck

It's been a week of daily driving and a 450 mile trip on Sunday. I haven't put any real heat and load to it, but hopefully it will hold up when I do that.

Biggest problem I think is when I pulled the pan, noticed the dealer didn't change the filter when they did the flush. That thing was nasty and 10 years old. Valve body and pistons looked great, still swapped all the valves, springs and pistons put a new filter in.

It definitely shifts better! I'm also adding a dealer to avoid to my list. I know I told them to change the filter, but they didn't write it on the paper. I think the filter created a pressure problem and hope no real damage occurred in the 300 miles I drove it like that. As long as it pulls the jetskis to the ozarks and back in June....