[ob1coby]

Sorry for the chevy question, but I didn’t want to join another forum and I figured that folks here would know this question as well as anyone.
My dad passed away and I need to sell his truck for his wife. It’s a 2000 silverado 4x4 with the 4L60e that slips in 3rd / 4th gear. It’s a low mileage garage queen so it should be well worth the time and effort to fix before selling. I’ve never done anything with a transmission but I’m a reasonable wrench and the instructions and videos are plentiful on youtube and elsewhere.

Would I be a fool to try to buy a rebuild kit and rebuild it on my own?

 

[ssteve]

I would just sell as is unless you want experience in transmission rebuilding.

 

[ob1coby]

Yea, I thought of that, but we would have to take a huge hit for the bad transmission and my step mom can really use the money. The truck is an amazing 1 owner, garage queen low mileage etc. etc. The only reason it has this problem is because it is a "common known" issue with these transmissions. So I think it will be well worth it. The kits I'm seeing are like $200-$300 so if I can do a good rebuild it would save a lot of money compared to taking the hit.

Plus I admit I wouldn't mind learning how to do this.

 

[Broncowilly]

No no no! If it is a garage queen with low mileage the chances of it needing to be rebuilt are slim. Take it to a Jiffy Lube or the like and have them service the transmission or do it yourself. Lots of YouTube videos and information out there on just about every malady it could be. It could be an adjustment or pressure regulator, sensor or filter that needs attention.

 

[Grit dog]

Agree, I'd look into it further before rebuilding it. While 4L60s aren't squat compared to today's transmissions, I've run the p!ss out of a few and also several high milers and never had one need rebuilt.
If the truck you have is low mile and babied, it probably isn't shot.
But even if it is, it would be worth it to get it fixed r rebuilt vs selling it not workin right.

 

[smelonas]

Well, if you want to discuss options, Dynamic on here knows just a few things about 4l60s..

Give him a call at dynamic trans parts.

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[Holicori]

Those 4L60e tranny's are a dime a dozen.

I would take it to have it looked at, at a good tranny shop. Yeah, you'd have to have it towed there, but if it needs a rebuild you'd have to tow it anyways. This way, if it's just a sensor, cheap fix or rebuild....it is towed anyways.

I say DO NOT rebuild it yourself. There's 2 reasons for this.

1) tranny's are an entire animal separate thanks brakes and engines. There's plenty of certified ASE master techs, that won't touch a tranny rebuild. Just an average "wrencher" isn't up to it. Yes there's plenty of videos on those trannys. Even told step by step videos. But leave it to a pro.

2) you are just turning around and selling it. Don't sell as it, you'd take a huge hit. These shops can rebuild it for $1700-2200, probably even less. If you sold it as is, you'd prob take a $4-5k loss in value. Spend the money to have a reputable shop build it back(with receipt!!!) and you'd prob get a little bump up in value.

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[ob1coby]

Wow! thanks everyone for the advise. Honestly I hadn't even considered getting it checked out first. I just figured if 3/4 were slipping it must be disk packs. BUT... 1 and 2 are fine so I can drive it to a local tranny shop. I'll just keep it on the rural roads (max 20mph). Thanks again.

 

[smelonas]

Set shifter to second so it doesnt try and catch third.

Typical issue of the newer 4l60s to lose overdrive afaik.

Performabuilt also has a pretty decent 4l60 at a good price. Might see if they are close enough to justify just buying a new well built unit.

Sadly 4l60 cores ain't worth crap because they are so abundant..

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[Loki223]

Not to be that guy, but. Have you checked the fluid? it might be low on fluid or just need a service. I've seen that happen on several 4l60 trucks. I've also seen several GM vehicles that sit in a garage and the seals in the tranny dry out and loose the fluid.. Could be worth a double check. Maybe even hit up @Wombat Ranger he's a great guy and knows a thing or two about trannys. And he's right in your area too. At the very least he probably knows who you can trust to give you an honest opinion on the tranny

 

[ob1coby]

Called several shops. They said that if the Transmission were slipping in all gears.., that would indicate low fluid or that it might just need a service, but that fact that it is only 3/4 indicates that it is the same problem that these 4L60e are notorious for.

I called tons of transmission builders, Most of them seemed miserably tired of guys like me trying to "shop around" for the best price. Not a one of them sells a transmission for the price they advertise. Some of them really stand behind their work with inclusive warranties, then there is a guy near me in Helena. I think he builds good transmissions but his price wasn't that great and he only offers a 3-month warranty with the option of buying a better warranty for more $$.

One builder stood out to me. Down in Sheridan Co, a place called "Ready to go Transmissions". They guy was pleasant, seemed to really know his stuff and gave me a competitive price. I'm nervous because we've all heard of horror stories from a situation like this, and this whole thing is a charity deal. If it goes wrong it will be a bad deal for a lot of folks.

I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Holicori]

Called several shops. They said that if the Transmission were slipping in all gears.., that would indicate low fluid or that it might just need a service, but that fact that it is only 3/4 indicates that it is the same problem that these 4L60e are notorious for.

I called tons of transmission builders, Most of them seemed miserably tired of guys like me trying to "shop around" for the best price. Not a one of them sells a transmission for the price they advertise. Some of them really stand behind their work with inclusive warranties, then there is a guy near me in Helena. I think he builds good transmissions but his price wasn't that great and he only offers a 3-month warranty with the option of buying a better warranty for more $$.

One builder stood out to me. Down in Sheridan Co, a place called "Ready to go Transmissions". They guy was pleasant, seemed to really know his stuff and gave me a competitive price. I'm nervous because we've all heard of horror stories from a situation like this, and this whole thing is a charity deal. If it goes wrong it will be a bad deal for a lot of folks.

I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for everyone's help.

My advice is, use the guy that gives you the time of day when he talks to you.

So many of these shops now are just wham, bam, slam it together. Those always tend to be the guys that want to spend 20 seconds on the phone with you.

The guys that spend time with you on the phone, will generally spend more time on your transmission too.

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[Holicori]

Oh, and get a final out the door quote. I got murdered for an extra $2-300 one time for fluids, filters, shop fees, etc that wasn't included in the quoted estimate.

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[smelonas]

Message dynamic on here to see if he knows someone that could build you one.

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[ob1coby]

Thanks again for all of the good points. I got a good impression from the guy in Denver. Tried to call Dynamic a couple of times on Fri/Sat. I'll try em again this afternoon.

 

[Dynamic]

Thanks again for all of the good points. I got a good impression from the guy in Denver. Tried to call Dynamic a couple of times on Fri/Sat. I'll try em again this afternoon.

Sorry about that. I was out of town last week for SEMA. But we were finally able to connect.

A couple of things... The 3-4 clutch is the number one cause of failure in the 4L60E...by a mile. This needs to be addressed on a couple of different fronts. One is to stack the clutch with a setup that will actually works well and last (and, no, not the Alto "commercial" kit), and two, is to make sure that whoever builds it understands the electronics that control that transmission. While the 3-4 clutch is a weak area in that transmission, with proper pressure control, they work pretty well, especially behind a 5.3. I've seen many a transmission guy keep putting 3-4 stacks in those things, and blaming a weak design, when the problem was not even in the transmission.

With the proper pressure control, and by cleaning up that 2-3 shift, the 3-4 issues will be all but eliminated.

 

[BigGreenMonster]

I have a 97 in the driveway that 3rd gear went out... Shop put a brand new GM transmission in it... And 3 years 2 months later... Same ing thing. I am leaning on putting a cheap junk yard unit in it and sending it down the road. What is the cost to fix this issue "correctly"?

 

[smelonas]

Dont buy a new GM built transmission...

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

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[BigGreenMonster]

Did not realize there was a flaw in those units... And... It had an awesome warranty!