1999 GMC Suburban - Transmission - REBUILD?

1999 GMC Suburban 125K. About 6 weeks ago I shifted into gear hard (in deep snow) and the trans jumped, and has acted funny ever since. I have to shift manually to 1st to engage trans, and then manually shift up gears (letting off the gas to prevent jarring) and the truck will proceed to lower gearing. Trans is slipping some under heavy load, feels like a manual clutch going out.

I am driving it some - not much, don't worry just to tow trailers LOL.

What I would like to know is what some of you folks think is the most performance/price satisfying route. I am looking at these shops that claim to do nice rebuilds on the 4l60e, with the trans-go, different bands?, pumps?.

What should I expect to pay?

I am probably going to get some helper springs too? maybe air-bags?

since the truck is paid for and we are just struggling with/ (don't want to start big payments) in taking the leap to a newer 1 Ton, we have to fix it to tow heavier things. I probably will be towing 4-8k often enough on the bumper.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

I am looking at a (thanks to the forums here where there was good debate about heavier trucks making more sense than the 1ton diesels) 1980 IH 21' flatbed (no tilt or ramps) w/ a DT466 5 speed (3500$) that looks nice enough (clean), but I still have to take the kids (3) on vacations, and the grocery store.

It is crazy. With wanting to move farm equipment, hay, household, lumber, kids, and everything else a person can really get knee deep in tires if they aren't careful!

Thanks again,

Andrew

The listing for the trans:

SUPER DUTY TOWING 4L60E W/ LOW STALL
5.7 - 5.0 and 4.3 available 2wd or 4x4

Buy It Now price: US $1,050.00

Andrew

my goal of buying a F350 Diesel this spring - Please don't say that the f350's trannys aren't built for towing either

The only other real question is - should i try to swap the tranny's myself in the pole barn. I do have a garage in the corner of the pole barn, and have done some work. I still have to fix the suburban no matter what. I have found a "HD" tranny for this vehicle.

Here is the ad for that tranny I think I will purchase:

Here it is a SUPER DUTY PERFORMANCE 4L60E THIS UNIT COMES WITH A ( MODIFIED FULL TIME LUBE CIRCUIT) TO PREVENT PLANET FAILURE.(A MODIFIED REVERSE DRUM W/A 2.50 KEVLAR BAND ) WE INSTALL A (CORVETTE SERVO A LONG WITH THE FAIRBANKS SUPERIOR OVERDRIVE SERVO) FOR 50% GREATER HOLDING IN 2ND AND 4TH.(THE BEAST SUNSHELL A MUST) A 9 CLUTCH 3RD. ALL THIS AND WITH OVER 20YEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION BUSINESS WE APPLY TRICKS OF THE TRADE WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS TO OFFER YOU A TRANNY THAT IS 2ND TO NONE.A LONG WITH A 1ST CLASS TRANSMISSION WE PROVIDE 1ST CLASS SERVICE.

I would really like to know what you think about that description -Allan

SRTA's are OK.In my opinion,the best thing about a SRTA is the warranty.A properly built trans w/all the goodies will last forever w/reg maint and trans cooler.

FIRST: I put an ad on craigslist "wanted: transmission rebuild ....ETC" I got back one reply, just so happened to be in my area (MN/WI border). They quoted 2850$ for the exact trans I saw on ebay for 1000$ (included shipping of trans - both ways -core). I laughed then contacted rebuilder on ebay in South Carolina.

SECOND: I contacted rebuilder in South Carolina to make sure I could get the trans. with shipping both ways for 1050$ YEP... Ok what would the install cost.

FINALLY: The shop nearby would not quote the install price. THe guy from SC knew of someone near Minneapolis/St. paul (a metropolis none the less) - they wouldn't install unless I purchased through them his trans from SC.

END RESULT: the guy From SC says to me "ok the guy that I contacted (that could possibly install locally) just so happens to be the shop you talked to locally." and "Don't tell him I told you, he has bought trannies before". They were in essence going to put in a rebuilt tranny for me and charge 1800 for the install...??? 300$/hour. Totaling nearer 3000$ in the end. NICE LOCAL GUYS EHH?

WHAT I AM GOING TO DO: I am going to skip both of them. I found a local shop (closer than the other,20 miles away) that does rebuild. 1 price 1550+ fluids/shop rags. Covers take out/rebuild/install. He does all the updates, and fixes anything that is bad from the torque converter to "hard parts", he is even putting in a trans-go plate. They are on a Main highway in a nice town. All they do is trannies.

Can anybody top the 2850$ quote for a 4l60e rebuild? Thats is just so funny to me - I would buy another suburban for that price.

ITS A SMALLER WORLD THAN YOU THINK, INTERNET IS DARN POWERFUL

Want to see something funny Google my name and click a few links. That is darn funny. I always wonder what happens when I go for jobs?

"Andrew Youngman"

And once they install those bang-bang shifts, it is all but impossible to ever make it right again. She's a banger forever.

Very, very few know how that trasmission and it's stacked shift timing works. It's relatively easy to replace over-sized parts and gouge 'em out with a drill bit; getting 'er "nice" is the trick.

Allan

When I worked for GM, a SRTA would run $1800 INSTALLED. 'Course, that has been a few years ago.

The thing is, that GM tranny is warrantied for 3 years, 50,000 miles and has every update possible in it.

Oh, and there is no such thing as a "transgo plate". :>)

Gotta be kinda careful with these guys. They'll take a $50 core, slap in a $70 kit and call it good for $1,000.

Go talk to a trusted Chevy dealer.

Allan

You seem to really know your stuff, but though I have to tell you though transgo does offer a aftermarket plate - 4L60E TRANSGO SEPARATOR PLATE, 1995 (A74747). Probably not a huge deal though. Another local guy, a different, and straight forward guy had the answers, like snippity - snap. And that made me feel good. He knew what I was going to ask, and then - answered back with a fair priced.

I am sure that he will warranty as well.

I really appreciate your replies though. The SRTA seems a little redundant. I would like the shift kit though I bet, and maybe a lower stall for better MPG.

You're talking about the valve body spacer plate. :>)

Sure, they can be rebuilt and more often than not, if the guy knows what he's doing, they'll last for a long time.

Rebuild warrantys usually will run about 90 days or 4,000 miles.

Good luck with your repair.

Allan

You have some broken hard parts in your tranny.

Your absolute best option under the sun is to go to GM and get the SRTA. Probably about $1800. The Trans-Go shift kits, a different band and/or a hopped up pump will not help your problem or your needs in the least.

That tranny really isn't heavy enough or designed to tow/haul. It's just not. Sorry, but that's the truth of the matter.

Spent the better part of my adult years rebuilding those things.

Allan

However, if you are mechanically inclined, that transmission can be put back in service as it was for probably under $200.

Just a matter of taking it out of the truck, gutting it and replacing that broken hard-part.

Allan

Does your truck have the PCM (computer) ground jumper wire update? If not,you might be be burnin' out the 3-4 clutches(and others) in short order.The update is specific to '96 4L60-E's.

Email me if ?'s ~brad