A little worried.
A little worried. I am starting to get a little worried about my 4L60 in my 05 Z71 crew cab. The truck is basicly stock with the exception of true duel exhaust and a eaton m112 magnacharger set up on 8 pounds. I don’t beat on the truck or do I drag race it. However the truck does have 97,000 miles on her now and I am considering upgrading to (33.1x11.8 inch) 295/65-18 duratrac tires. So far the transmission has held up good and I service it about every 20K I also installed a transmission temp gauge to make sure she doesn’t get to hot when towing (180-195F). I do wish I had the money and time to just convert over to a 6L80 but i dont feel like spending 7-10K converting the entire truck over to a gen IV set up to do so.(I would just buy a duramax with a Alison). Any advice or wisdom on this issue. The truck made 347whp and 386 tq on a mustang dyno so I know I am exceeding the input torque limit.
"All Motor 9 Second club member"
iTrader: (60)
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: On the Bumper!
I think you are on the right track of thinking. For your needs, the 4L60E is fine and a 4L80 is over kill for the $$ and purpose of the truck. A quality built 4L60e would live a long time if your mods and use of the truck doesn't change much.
The larger tire will kill some of your gear so allowing the transmission to kick down hard from a roll or passing will put added strain on transmission. I would steer clear from that type of abusive driving and you will be fine until the normal wear and miles dictate it's time to give up the ghost. It sounds like you maintain your trans better than most and should expect that extra longevity IMO.
GL
The larger tire will kill some of your gear so allowing the transmission to kick down hard from a roll or passing will put added strain on transmission. I would steer clear from that type of abusive driving and you will be fine until the normal wear and miles dictate it's time to give up the ghost. It sounds like you maintain your trans better than most and should expect that extra longevity IMO.
GL
Yeah kind of beating my self up one what to do in the future. My factory tires are 265/65/18s (31.6x10.4?) So i am not making a huge jump in size but I know it’s going to strain the transmission even more when towing. I ran a RPM built stage 5 4L60 in the TA a few years back but after 5,000 miles the transmission or converter started having some issues. This was on a stock bottom end turbo ta. I have considered giving them a call but not sure how that same transmission would hold up in a 6000lb 4x4 truck used for work.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
Put a corvette (at least) or aftermarket servo in it along with a sonnax boost valve and you will be fine for a good while IF you are fairly nice to it and realize it isnt built to be beat on from the factory. Those two things are easy to do and pretty inexpensive too..
