To do... or not to do... 2001 Tahoe 199,000 ... no reverse

[truckdiagnostics]

Has the pan on the transmission been removed and inspected for chunks? The 4l60e is a common transmission and there is a lot of information on how to repair and rebuild them. if there is no chunks in the pan I would fix what you have.
" The first culprit I would look at is the low reverse clutch pack. Chances are the clutch disks are simply worn out. If this is the case, you are bound to find a lot of debris in the transmission pan. If no debris is found in the pan, I would turn my attention to the valve body. There may be a leak in the reverse circuit, possibly caused by a blown valve body gasket or the valve body might be warped. Last, but not least, check the booster valve. It痴 easy to gain access to it by removing the transmission pan. Look for signs of wear. It could also just be simply stuck in its bore."

I googled no reverse on the 4l60e sometimes it is something simple.

 

[Jstpssng]

The rest of the vehicles condition would be more important to my decision than age and mileage.

I was thinking the same thing. I had a '98 Sierra with 175K+ miles when the transmission went for the second time in 6 months. The motor ran good and I had kept everything in good shape as I was still running all over the state and beyond, so for around 2K I ordered a Mr Goodwrench transmission with a 50K mile warranty which would be good at any GM dealer. I ran it for 2 more years without any more serious problems before I sold the truck- still running good- with about 212K miles.

 

[Hanshans]

I had a 2001 Tahoe that I purchased new. I traded it in after 140,000 because I kept having to put money into it to keep it running. I say get rid of it. It's just going to start to nickel and dime you.

 

[MossRoad]

Dashboard looks like a Christmas tree

Hahaha! Mine has seen that a few times, too. :laughing:

 

[WilliamBos]

That thinking has cost a lot of people more than it should have. Used parts out of a salvage yard/junkyard can be a very viable way to repair a vehicle. When something gets a lot of miles and or hours used parts can be an extremely effective way to maintain equipment. Some motor vehicles with 150-200,000 miles if not rusted out can be worth keeping going. Most places now have a lot of the major parts already pulled or they pull them for you, you can sometimes find a place that will let you pull your own parts. When I was quite a bit younger and had more time then money available I used to frequent junkyards for parts and ideas. I have purchased used parts for my IH 574 and wouldn't hesitate to do so again. Even if you don't want to do the work yourself it's quite possible to find someone that will RnR a transmission or engine for a couple of hundred dollars on a weekend. Most junkyard parts have at a minimum a 30 day warranty some places as much as 6 months. So don't dismiss used parts so readily they can be a cost effective way to maintain equipment.

The GM 4L60 is notorious for a weak sun gear shell, absolutely not worth risking a scrap yard trans. It will cost more in the long run when the same thing happens.

7R4 4L6E 4L65E Heavy Duty "Beast" Sunshell

 

[LouNY]

The GM 4L60 is notorious for a weak sun gear shell, absolutely not worth risking a scrap yard trans. It will cost more in the long run when the same thing happens.

7R4 4L6E 4L65E Heavy Duty "Beast" Sunshell

Yes it's such a poor design and so weak that he only got 199,000 on the first one .

 

[Jstpssng]

The rest of the vehicles condition would be more important to my decision than age and mileage.

Yes it's such a poor design and so weak that he only got 199,000 on the first one .

Are you sure that he did? if so he was very lucky.

 

[4570Man]

Are you sure that he did? if so he was very lucky.

I’ve got 207 on one. My 227k Silverado has had transmission work done by the previous owner. I don’t know what it was but I doubt it was major because the truck was junk.

 

[Jstpssng]

They had a spell when they were weak. My '98 went to 135K, but I don't think that it was original when I bought the truck. The second one 6 months later was my fault though, I worked it too hard and snow packed up into the radiator.

 

[timswi]

I ran a 1991 Silverado 4x4 to 220k and sold it to a neighbor who ran it for at least three more years until he decided on a new one. No engine/trans/transfer case issues ever, Just the water pump, exhaust, fuel pump and maintenance.

Ran a 1997 Silverado 4x4 to about 205k until my wife told me to trade it on something newer. Still looked like new and no failures beyond a water pump and fuel pump. General maintenance beyond that.

Both trucks bought new by my dad so I know their history and he never had to replace anything beyond brakes and tires. Bought both from him at 90-100k when he bought new.

If they are maintained they can go a long time, mine weren't babied either. Sometimes I think running them a little hard (not beat the beejeebers out of them) is actually good for them. Been my experience anyway.

So based on my experience, if the rest of the Suburban is in nice shape, I'd go for the fix as long as the R&R+Parts/Trans doesn't get too far out of hand. If you get another year or so out of it you're still ahead of making car payments in my opinion.