rayosequis

iTrader: (13)

I have been looking at a few '03-'04 Silverados and was wondering what the average lifespan of these transmissions is ? I of course do realize that how the truck is driven, modification, towing, etc will greatly affect this, but for a DD truck, any ideas ?

The mileage ranges I have seen have been from 85k-140k, and I would like to try and avoid buying a truck and having to rebuild the transmission a few months later, if at all possible.

Thanks in advance,
Ernie

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

Most of these trucks have 4L60Es in them so it is hard to say how long the transmissions last becasue it really depends on how much abuse they have seen in their previous life like towing. I have an 04 Silverado with 137K miles on it with the factory transmission in it and I have towed a bunch and beat on it quite a bit and it is still running pretty good. I do have a 4L80E going in it as soon as I get the time because I know my transmission is starting to get tired.

porksoda

iTrader: (39)

I have a 2003 Silverado SS with factory tranny and it was supercharged from 40k to 90k. Right now it still has the cam and bolt ons at 95k and doesn't miss a step. Has a shift kit and Corvette servo but no aftermarket cooler.

rayosequis

iTrader: (13)

Thanks, Kyle. I have killed a couple of 4L60's, so I definitely understand the abuse side, lol.

I was thinking on a stock, not too abused truck, anything over 130k is probably on borrowed time at best.

porksoda, did the SS come with a 4L60 or 4L80 ?

Thanks again,
Ernie

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

That is a safe way to think about it. I know people have had more miles than that and been fine but it is better to be safe then sorry.

porksoda

iTrader: (39)

They have the 4L60E. It never had a bigger stall though. That is actually next on my list of mods.

Spartan7

iTrader: (7)

I have a 4L80E in mine, but it's still going strong at 182k. Completely stock truck, and from what I can tell, the previous owner did quite a bit of towing.

rayosequis

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for the input, 182k ! The 4L80 seems like it would be the way to go for a truck. I think my history with F/Y-body 4L60's averaged out to about 82k max, LOL.

Jose Aguilar

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2001 Silverado z71 4x4 it has 221k miles on original transmission and 5.3 its still going strong.

Morbid

iTrader: (34)

Glad to hear some good things about the transmissions lasting. I picked up my '04 Silverado Z71 back in February when it just clicked over to 70k. I've only put ~2500 on it since and haven't noticed any issues with the transmission, here's to hoping it stays that way.

Texfinn

iTrader: (39)

167K on my 03 Silverado on the original 4L60E and it still works well. I've even been hauling trailers loaded with cars and what not for hundreds and hundreds of miles and still haven't broken anything.

Yeah, I'm sure it's on somewhat borrowed time already. Hence, I have 1000 bucks set aside for the eventual rebuild. But, since it ain't broke yet, I ain't fixing it yet.

Bad Chad

iTrader: (94)

The 4L60E is a decent transmission until you start throwing a lot of power at it. I've worked on a lot of F-bodies that had 130k + running the stock factory transmission.

I would not hesitate to buy one with 130k if the truck looks like it has been taken care of.

Texfinn

iTrader: (39)

Very true! Exactly the reason why I bought mine 18 months ago when it had 155K miles. Bought it from the original owner, even.

01WS6/tamu

iTrader: (37)

4L60E's are good transmissions when used as gm intended them to be used. Yeah when you start modding and throwing twice the power at them they were designed for they become iffy and may or may not go pop. But if it's been cared for you are usually ok. The one thing I have seen fail time after time after time in the 00-04's without warning regardless of how you care for them is the sungear shell. But there have been many a tranny that was perfect when I got into them and put a sungear shell only back in them and they went another 100K plus without a hiccup.

You beat on it it will die. You throw tons of power and juice it will die. You mod it lightly and drive it sanely you will be GTG but when it does pop put a 4L80 in it and call it a day.

rayosequis

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it !

irbs

iTrader: (7)

Both of mine went out around 140k.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

180K on my 2001 3/4 ton 4L80

130K on my 03 TB 4L60

Both are still great. Put a used 4L60(2001 model) an 1st gear stopped working because i set the trans controller to shift too hard, LOL.

02CamaroSSLE

iTrader: (5)

my old 02 had the oe trans in it and when i got rid of it last month it has 198 and i towed quite a bit with it.

carlos sauceda

iTrader: (3)

I think the ss silverados come with 4l65?? If im not mistaken..

v8sten

iTrader: (5)

The 03-04 Silverados came with 4L65 Transmissions not 4L60's. I ran my 04 4.8 silverado pretty hard, pulling my trailer with my S10 on it (5500 lbs) back and forth from 29 Palms, CA to Pasadena, TX countless times. I went mudding in it in CA and 2nd and 4th went out on me in the process. I towed my S10 back to Texas with only 1st and 3rd. It was a 1500 mile trip. when I got in town , the next day we pulled it and rebuilt it for towing @ 95K miles. Now the truck has 160K miles on it and its still going strong and shifting great. Under normal driving conditions id say it would last a good 150K+ miles.