Transmission issues..

[Earsplitter]

I'm test driving a 1994 4x4 2 Door Tahoe this weekend, says transmission issues. Explains you gotta find the soft spot for it to kick into gear? I'll find out more when I drive it, anyways I'm looking for the best spots to look for rebuilt/new 4x4 transmissions I guess? Want a good idea of what I need to spend to prepare for the worst. Thanks.

 

[rockenthebowtie]

It all depends... you can go to the salvage yard and get ont for a $100 or to the dealer get dine right with GM quality parts for abot $2800 and everything in between prices vary and so does the quality of the workmanship of each individual shop

 

[Earsplitter]

The labor will be performed by my mechanic and myself as a project/learning experience for myself. Aside from junk yards does anyone have links to reputable sites that sell new transmissions? From what I've gathered it is a 4L60E??

 

[lesterl]

I would find a cheap J/Y one, rebuild it and then put that one in.... What is the transmission doing exactly?

 

[Earsplitter]

It was explained to me: "You have to find the sweet spot to have it kick into gear, you can be reving it up and it'll just kick in gear"

I'll be driving it for myself saturday, sorry for lack of information at the moment, maybe I should have waited to post.

I'm not much on the mechanical side of vehicles, via your suggestion would I be buying a junkyard one and basically replacing all the internals saving a ton of money? My step father (mechanic) says there's a few things we gotta check out before I even think of buying a transmission, the engine appears and sounds to be built up, not factory. He suggested it could be as simple as a link from the engine to the transmission that has to be perfectly 'tuned' and if work has been done to the engine they could have not properly tuned this link? hopeful thinking, never know though. I'll provide further details after I drive it home Saturday.

 

[lesterl]

Low line pressure? Sounds like if you can get a good deal on it, might be a fun project.....

 

[samotahoe]

if the trans has external shift solendoids I would look into that, easy fix and they can get lazy after a while.

 

[lesterl]

Didja check the trans fluid level, color, and smell?

 

[Earsplitter]

Okay so I've gotten to drive it around for a couple days here's my best explanation, fluids are fine.

Put it into Drive, goes into 1st fine.

I can accelerate however I wish in 1st and it goes along nicely. It does not automatically go into 2nd though, I have to hit about 3-3.5k rpm, let go of gas, let rpms drop then it shifts into 2nd (it doesn't shift hard or rough)

When in 2nd I have the feather the gas very lightly, if I push the gas too much it slips out of gear and just revs up the engine, i have to let gas off to drop down rpms to a low range to get back into gear, again anytime it leaves or goes into any gear it's not rough or noisy it's smooth.

Beyond this, I have trouble getting any higher than 3rd gear.

Picked her up for $1,500, engine/exhaust sound awesome. haven't found any leaks yet but I'm keeping an eye out. I got quite a bit of work I want to do to her but this transmission issue is #1. Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I hope this can help give a better idea of what's going on. I'll look into if I have external shift solenoids.

 

[lesterl]

Yeah, you need trans work.... Some Mechanics do the weekend home mechanic thing and can do a rebuild for under a grand...... seen 'em in this area....

 

[DVR4]

I just had my transmission rebuilt at a reputable shop for $1499 including servicing the transfer case (fluid change) and labor to R&R the parts. They used a new convertor, parts kit, solenoid pack and mild shift kit. 12mo, 12k mile warranty. The 3/4 gear clutches went out on mine. They do the same thing to every 4L60E regardless of the symptoms. They told me they had done over 1000 of them. The tahoe, suburban and truck of that era were very popular around here.

 

[samotahoe]

I would say sir that the trans is now trashed, need a rebuild or go with a new one.

 

[Earsplitter]

I'm willing to go as high as $2,500 to do whatever I need to get this tranny goin strong, if I can get away with a rebuild sweet, but I almost want to say ef it and go brand new. Just went through emissions to get title transferred, performed great at cruise, but idle it's running rich. Looks like I'm gonna have to take some vaca days soon to work on this thing. Thanks for the input everyone. Now the search for a solid 4L60E, or if anyone knows an even stronger transmission that I could get for 2,500 or less in place of a 4L60E let me know please!

 

[lesterl]

Look into a used 4l65e?

 

[miuwu208]

Monster transmission they build some great stuff. Get their monster in a box..

 

[samotahoe]

I got a quote recently and they say that it would be a full rebuild for $1800 so I think you will be ok with that range and a lil left over if your planning to spend 2500

 

[Earsplitter]

I've found a website that claims no core exchange required, rebuilt 4L60E's for under $700 with warranty. I'll post it tonight when I get home and see what you guys think. I'd go that route and just swap it myself. I don't have the resources to rebuild a transmission or I'd go that route.

 

[lesterl]

Tailgate warranty? $700 J/Y pull? I would be very suspicious of this price.....

 

[Earsplitter]

http://www.gotallautoparts.com/transmissions/gm-transmissions/gmc-yukon/

 

[Earsplitter]

I can go pickup J/Y transmissions for about $80, but I'd rather purchase rebuilt rather than 'hope' the J/Y transmission works. If not yeah I can swap it for another one, just not worth my labor to keep swapping until I get a solid running transmission.