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

[MossRoad]

I've decided to take it in and have it checked out. I'm going to have the mechanic take a look at other 'wear' problem areas as well as the engine. If he finds anything of concern, I'll call it a day. But if things look generally OK, I think I'm going to roll the dice and fix it. As much as it is difficult to stomach, I think I can handle the potential $2000 loss better than the absolute $650/mo payment. Especially since this is primarily for dogs and farm.

We looked around and used Tahoe's with between 40K-75K are running about $35-45K. That is just more than I'd like to spend for this vehicle. I certainly might be eating my words... as I did when i fixed my 4Runner. But, it is a gamble I'll take, if the rest of the truck checks out.

I guess, I can always sell the 'new' transmission for about 1/2 of 'new' if the engine goes in the short term. heh... might not be too bad of a gamble... $1K gamble rather than $2K

How's the body on it? Any rust?

 

[Green Power]

My father has a 1999 F-350 7.3L that has 185,000 miles on it.

In 2016 we put a 2015 F350 8' bed and step tailgate on it, that was $3500.
In 2017 spent:
$2500 on a 4R100.
$400 rear driveshaft
$1,300 on complete strip down and then re-assemble of front axle for carrier bearings, seals, U-Joints, ball joints, unit bearings. Gears were fine.

2018 was $3200 for new (not reman) diesel injectors, glow plugs, glow plug relays, under valve cover wire harness.

$11,000 in repairs in the last 4 years. I keep telling him to throw up the white flag. The door bottoms are going bad again and the cab corners are starting to blister. So in the next year he will be spending a few more grand on body work since he will not drive a vehicle with any exposed rust.

But that same money could have made payments on a much newer, slightly used truck that has nicer features. But, the guy loves his old Steelers truck!

Long live the 7.3 PowerStroke!!!

 

[Dadnatron]

How's the body on it? Any rust?

No rust, no dents. It is actually in very good condition. Seats are leather and 200K worn, but no rips. Seat heaters work and power seats function normally. Carpet is good. We mainly use it as a 'catch all' for farm/dogs/saddles/etc. We usually keep the back seat folded flat for room and dogs. But we can put it up for people.

Oh... I do have a license plate light which is out... but otherwise.

 

[Tractorable]

Im in similar position. My old pilot has 351k miles. Transmission starting to slip.
Rest of vehicle pretty good, but dont think ill put any money into it. Probably wil give it away.

351K miles is pretty darn good for a transmission. Is that the original? Gives me hope for my Ridgeline which runs perfect at 215K miles.

I've found that most cars these days will go 100-150k miles without any issues at all. Then you fix a few things and you could easily get another 100-150k out of them.

I fully expect my 2016 Toyota Avalon to go 300K miles. It's used for 90% highway driving. Doesn't even have a timing belt to change. Just tires, brakes, and fluid changes.

 

[MossRoad]

No rust, no dents. It is actually in very good condition. Seats are leather and 200K worn, but no rips. Seat heaters work and power seats function normally. Carpet is good. We mainly use it as a 'catch all' for farm/dogs/saddles/etc. We usually keep the back seat folded flat for room and dogs. But we can put it up for people.

Oh... I do have a license plate light which is out... but otherwise.

Even $2K for a tranny rebuild would be $4K cheaper than car payments for the year.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

351K miles is pretty darn good for a transmission. Is that the original? Gives me hope for my Ridgeline which runs perfect at 215K miles.

I've found that most cars these days will go 100-150k miles without any issues at all. Then you fix a few things and you could easily get another 100-150k out of them.

I fully expect my 2016 Toyota Avalon to go 300K miles. It's used for 90% highway driving. Doesn't even have a timing belt to change. Just tires, brakes, and fluid changes.

All original, except tires, brake pads, changed timing belt twice, new cat converters.

 

[Dadnatron]

Even $2K for a tranny rebuild would be $4K cheaper than car payments for the year.

I agree and am all for it. IF it isn't the bellwether for a whole flock of problems just behind it.

 

[4570Man]

Is this a 2wd or a 4wd? If it's a 2wd dropping it and putting it back in isn't to bad of a job. I doubt the rebuild cost of a dropped transmission isn't that bad. If it's a 4wd dropping a transmission is a pretty good job. If the rest of the vehicle is in good condition I'd fix it. I know I'd fix my 207k surburban with anything less than being totaled.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I was having transmission problems way back then it seemed like every tranny shop I talked to told me they were weak. Now a search on the same transmission says that a 4l60 is one of the best out there.

Are you using Google to do your searches? If so, they will delete or make it impossible to find negative comments to those who pay them to hide that stuff. I would not be surprised if an auto company paid google to hide all negative websites about their products. Try DuckDuckGo to see if you get different results. I've found that for political stuff, it's night and day different in what I can find and what's hidden from me.