Chevy Truck Trany problem

[Jeepspeedster]

My 1994 Chevy Truck trany drive and O/D gear went out while towing my race car back from henderson. This was a year old trans, I am assuming a 700r4 (4L60E I think) attached to a 350 engine.

Is this normal? I hear Chevy truck tranys go out often
Is there an upgraded trany that can handel the tow?
Who do you recommend?

The truck has 35" tires with 4:56 gears

[McClintock]

Our tow truck is the same truck, 1994 2500 with a 350. We had the exact same problem a few months ago towing up the beginning of the Cajon Pass. There wasnt any upgrade options really offered, so we had the same tranny rebuilt. As of now its still working great.

[tkr]

The only possible upgrades would be the 4L80E or the Allison transmission. I don't know what would be involved but I'm sure it wouldn't be easy. The 4L60E is ok if its built right, the fluid is kept cool and you don't tow in overdrive....

[FABRICATOR]

The 4L80e should be doable with factory parts. A good shift kit and better cooling makes them pretty tough.

[jeff]

Money no object? TH400 with a gear vendors overdrive. Requires new modified rear driveshaft too. Pretty sweet setup that's VERY reliable. And expensive.

Aloha

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

The right 700R4 will hold up. Checkout http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

[jeff]

My buddy has a +/- 400HP 383 stroker in his Jeep with my old S-10's original 700R4 behind it. It doesn't have very many miles but they are hardcore rock crawling miles. No towing, but plenty of 1st 2nd and 3rd gear foot to the floor thrashings. It's only been back to the shop twice for some tweaking and repair. I "hurt" this transmission as it was the original trans in my 1989 S-10. I replaced it with a ready to install B&M rebuilt version - fresh out of the crate. I blew up three B&M built 700R4 transmissions and the only thing I can say about B&M is they stood by their warranty. Each one had a slightly different failure. This was with a pretty built 4.3L V6, right above stock 350 V8 performance levels. Between the V6 and the Ford 9" w/locker, the shock loads on the trans were high enough to cause repeated failures. I'd get about 20,000 miles before one would let go. There was literally zero towing done so I can't say how long the 700R4 will handle grades or big loads. Each of these failures occured pretty close to home (thank you) and each required a trip to Chatsworth to exchange the B&M with another one. I spent lots of time under that truck and got pretty efficient at the exchange. I also went through lots of tranny coolers and fluid during those two years. The thing that let me know this is pretty common... B&M never once questioned the failure. Nobody there was surprised when I called in and said it blew up... again. That was all I needed to know. Either B&M can't build em' right, or something else is up with the 700R4.

Fast forward a few years... I gave the original 700R4 I pulled from the S-10 to my buddy for his Jeep rock crawler project. It was totally disassembled and rebuilt using the recommended upgardes by Bowtie in Hesperia. After some early issues and a second minor rebuild at Bowtie, the old 700R4 appears to be holding up for now. I think if my buddy had to do it over again he'd just run the TH400 and be done with it. The TV cable adjustment is super duper I can't emphasize it enough critical on the 700R4. Everyone that owns one should check this! Even if your trans runs good now, that TV cable gremlin might slowly be killing your poor 700R4.

I think the 700R4 is a good street rod or mild strip use transmission. But for real workhorse type stuff, like hauling trailers loaded with a race car or truck, there are much better available options. All it takes is $$$$.$$ - I will never again spend a bunch of money on a 700R4 - I am over and done with those things!

Aloha

[tkr]

Being a 1994 truck, it has the 4L60E, which is similar a TH700R4 but with electric shift solenoids. Something in the design change has also made them overheat very easily and wear out fast. A standard 700R4 will not work without modification since the computer is supposed to control the shift points and pressure and relies on the speed sensor signal....and possibly and range position sensor.

[Ryno]

Take it to TransPros in San Berdoo. Dave and Jr do great work. I had them do my 4l60E in my 94 K1500. It's towed 7k trailers, without a worry. If you don't have a tranny cooler right in front behind the grille, get one. They will save the checkbook down the road.

[Project1500]

Is it possible to remove a 4l60e from a 4wd 94-99 1500 and replace it with a 4l60e or 4l80e from a 2wd. Looking to get rid of the transfer case but wondering if the linkages and everything would still bolt up???

[toyoter91]

My buddy had two or three trannys go through his 98 suburban (2wd w/350) then he took his new one to JET and they did what ever they do and his tranny has been rock solid from then on out. Maybe he can chime in here if he sees this thread with the exact amount of miles, ect ect.

[Jeepspeedster]

Thanks for the info, how do I get in contact with JET?

Could 4L60E be replaced with a 4L80E (out of C-2500 trucks)?
Would the computer plugs in?

[steveG]

Personally, the only rebuilt automatic transmissions I'll use are factory rebuilds. They are a little bit more money, but they come with the latest updates and are built to the highest standards-they also come with the best warranty. GM is 3years/50k miles. I'm currently replacing the A4ld in my 4wd Explorer & I'm using a Ford reman. Of course if I were building an all out race vehicle I'd use a custom builder, but I probably wouldn't be using an overdrive trans.

[FABRICATOR]

I don't think it will just plug in. The trans itself is quite a bit bigger. But they were originally used on similar vehicles.

[matt_helton]

no, a 4L80E will not just swap in in place of a 60E. the 80E is uses a input/output speed sensor set up and is wired completly different. also it used a bolt up rear yoke instead of the slip style. and the trans mount prolly wouldnt line up either.

steve, get your truck to a dealer or a good tranny guy, chances are your problem can be fixed simply by dropping the pan and valve body. the codes would need to be pulled first to see if it really is a TCC related problem.

[Project1500]

Helton is it possible to remove a 4l60e from a 4wd 94-99 1500 and replace it with a 4l60e from a 2wd. Looking to get rid of the transfer case but wondering if the linkages and everything would still bolt up??

[tkr]

Helton is it possible to remove a 4l60e from a 4wd 94-99 1500 and replace it with a 4l60e from a 2wd. Looking to get rid of the transfer case but wondering if the linkages and everything would still bolt up??

I'll try to fill in for Helton since he's probably busy changing diapers....

When we order factory rebuilts from GM, they often come set up for 2wd. You just take the tailshaft housing off and bolt the transfer case on. Everything else is the same. So I don't see a problem.

[Ryno]

the linkages are the same, you just change the tailhousing, and of course the driveshaft. You should actually be able to leave the trans in the truck, and change the tailhousing.

[matt_helton]

LOL Matt! thats what i was gonna say.

and ryno is right, just remove the t-case and adapter and swap the tail shaft housing for the 2wd one and your set. with the exception of course of the prop shaft changes and trans mount change.