How easy to damage xfer case?

[McLoki]

I have a 2001 tahoe that I purchased last summer with 110,000 miles on it. It is my wifes vehicle and we typically put it in auto-4wd in late fall and drop it to 2wd in early spring. (I just took it out of auto-4wd yesterday) It now has 116,000 miles on it.

While I was at the dealer having the oil changed on it yesterday, I went ahead and asked them to change the lube in the transfer case since you have to use GM lube. I was unaware if it had been changed or not so I thought it would not hurt.

I asked if it looked like it needed changed (I was paying for the change anyway since I thought to ask when they were done draining it) and was told that the lube should be a "pretty blue" and mine was "brown and nasty". Based on that, I wonder if it has ever been changed.... I just wonder how much damage has been done to the transer case by not having it changed. It still goes into and out of 4wd very easily (although much faster than before I had the fluid changed) and drives great. Anything I need to worry about?

I went through the old service records that I have and so far have not been able to find the following so they will be changed in the near future....

• Plugs (they were pulled and re-gapped at 65,000 though)
• Anti-freeze
• Brake Fluid (just like to have it changed every 5 years or so on vehicles)
• front and rear differential fluid

Anything on the above list that needs to be made a priority in changing? (will have it changed in the next few months or so.)

Thanks,

Michael

 

[boostaholic]

Don't worry about it, tcase will take some abuse and the trans will go before the tcase. Good move changing the fluid tho, I already have the autotrak fluid but have been too lazy to change all my fluids.

 

[boostaholic]

Look into royal purple for the diffs, it smooths out the engagement of the limited slip and you can usually pick up some mileage. For the plugs I'd go with some NGK vpower tr55s part # 3951 and gap them to .40, go to a decent local shop for a coolant flush and get some fresh dexcool in there along with a new thermostat and you might want to change the fuel filter too.

 

[McLoki]

Look into royal purple for the diffs, it smooths out the engagement of the limited slip and you can usually pick up some mileage. For the plugs I'd go with some NGK vpower tr55s part # 3951 and gap them to .40, go to a decent local shop for a coolant flush and get some fresh dexcool in there along with a new thermostat and you might want to change the fuel filter too.

Thanks for the reply...

I was thinking about mobil one for the diffs. Just because I can find it at Advance Autoparts or AutoZone. Is there a national supplyer for Royal Purple? (i.e. where can I get it?)

Thanks for the tip about the plugs, I will go that route....

Was going to get the coolant flush. Do I need the GM coolant or just put regular in and change it every 50k. (not to expensive at the local shop - not dealer)

Fuel filter - should I get genuine GM or something from local auto parts store (probably fram cuz that is what most of them carry around here). Easy to change on the Tahoe or should I have local shop do it? (I am sure its not that hard providing I can find it....)

Thermostat - recommend factory temp or a little cooler? (what is the factory temp and size?)

Thanks again for your suggestions....

Michael

 

[McLoki]

ok, now I am starting to feel like an idiot. For the spark plugs (I usually try to change these myself) I typically purchase from RockAuto. I see the following plugs available for the Tahoe.

NKG

• NGK Part # 2238 {V-Power #TR5}
• NGK Part # 3186 {GP-Series #TR5GP}
• NGK Part # 7397 {IX-Series #TR5IX}
• NGK Part # 6044 {Iridium}

Autolight

• AUTOLITE Part # 5245 {Resistor}
• AUTOLITE Part # AP5245 {Platinum}
• AUTOLITE Part # APP5245 {Double Platinum}
• AUTOLITE Part # XP5245 {Xtreme Performance}

Champion

• CHAMPION Part # 13 {COPPER PLUS #RS14YC6}
• CHAMPION Part # 3983 {PLATINUM POWER}
• CHAMPION Part # 4983 {TRUCK PLUG}
• CHAMPION Part # 7983 {DOUBLE PLATINUM POWER}
• CHAMPION Part # 9405 {CHAMPION IRIDIUM}

BOSCH

• BOSCH Part # 7582 {SUPER #HR9LCX}
• BOSCH Part # 6213 {PLATINUM #HR9LPX}
• BOSCH Part # 4309 {PLATINUM+2}
• BOSCH Part # 4509 {PLATINUM IR FUSION}
• BOSCH Part # 7982 {SUPER PLUS}
• BOSCH Part # 4013 {PLATINUM PLUS}
• BOSCH Part # 7421 {OEPLUG}

ACDELCO

• ACDELCO Part # 6 {RAPIDFIRE PLUG #25164644}
• ACDELCO Part # 41985 {IRIDIUM #12571164}

So, from that list, what would you choose? (I do not see the one you specified) It looks like (according to the RockAuto site) the Bosch Iridium plug (7421) is the OE. (at $6.12 each) What would be the benefit of deviating from OE?

Thanks again for your help.

Michael

Edit -

What do you think about Denso Plugs? Heard anything good or bad about them? I can get them locally (iridium plugs #5325) for $6.47 each. Not a bad deal for iridium....

 

[boostaholic]

NGK makes the oe plugs, all you need are the ngk vpowers but you can upgrade if you feel it necessary (no benefit on these motors). Just go to a local advance auto parts or napa and ask them for the ngk 3951's. Get some anti-seize and gap them to .40 and with the money you saved from buying overpriced platinums buy some royal purple. Bosch doesn't make the oe plugs, and ac delco recently dropped the gap on their platinums to agree with what everyone has been saying for years about smoother power and better top-end with a lower gap (.35-.45). Just for perspective there are plenty of people running 150-275 hp shots of nitrous on these motors with the same plugs you can buy for $1.50, just doesn't facilitate the need for the added cost IMO :ack:

 

[boostaholic]

I think checker now carries royal purple, or check their website for authorized vendors. I'd stick with the factory temperature tstat and the fuel filter shouldn't matter. AC delco parts are nice but anything from a quality parts store will suffice. If you are gonna drop the extra money on plugs get the ngk iridiums (7164). Here is a link to find a RP dealer near you
http://www.royalpurple.com/rp-dealer-locator.html