'03-'04 Silverado Transsmision Lifespan
07-09-2012, 01:35 PM
#21
04 z71.
1st trans rebuild @ 70K
Fuel pump @ 75K
steering gearbox at 90K
2nd trans rebuild @ 140K
Replaced entire longblock @ 145K
my 4x4 actuator twice by 150K
Still need to fix A/C switching to hot on driver-side and rear lift gate/hatch door hinges need to be replaced.
1st trans rebuild @ 70K
Fuel pump @ 75K
steering gearbox at 90K
2nd trans rebuild @ 140K
Replaced entire longblock @ 145K
my 4x4 actuator twice by 150K
Still need to fix A/C switching to hot on driver-side and rear lift gate/hatch door hinges need to be replaced.
07-09-2012, 07:29 PM
#25
TECH Junkie
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Run a tranny cooler and it will help. I went through 6-7 transmissions in my Silverado but I was rough on her. Blew the first one towing a 28' ski boat from Arkansas back to DFW.
07-10-2012, 01:53 AM
#26
My dad has a 99 Z71, 5.3... I'm really not sure if its the factory transmission or not, but its got over 200k on it now and the tranny is fine. He's probably put at least 50k on it, never had any trouble with it
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.
01-11-2016, 06:50 PM
#29
My Truck has a hard 160k on the transmission (4L60) and still working like new, it has a tune and i've towed car haulers with it. My camaro had a VERY hard 189k on the transmission with a 3800 stall when it finally went.
A friend of mine is on his 3rd 4L60 in his Avalanche because he doesn't change the fluid or use tow mode when towing his boat. I saw him lug his truck and boat up a really long hill on highway 30 at 60mph making the truck struggle the whole way, I asked him if he wondered why he burns up transmissions.
Change the fluid earlier than recommended and they will last a long time, and use good fluid. My choice of fluid is Valvoline Max life. I drive my cars hard but I maintain them harder. My engines and transmissions usually outlast my friends that have the same vehicles.
A friend of mine is on his 3rd 4L60 in his Avalanche because he doesn't change the fluid or use tow mode when towing his boat. I saw him lug his truck and boat up a really long hill on highway 30 at 60mph making the truck struggle the whole way, I asked him if he wondered why he burns up transmissions.
Change the fluid earlier than recommended and they will last a long time, and use good fluid. My choice of fluid is Valvoline Max life. I drive my cars hard but I maintain them harder. My engines and transmissions usually outlast my friends that have the same vehicles.
01-12-2016, 09:09 PM
#31
Teching In
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I've had 3. Never tow anything and drive like an old lady. Usually.
'97 1500 5.7 had 140,000 when I lost overdrive. Was abused before I bought it so I and sold it.
'99 NBS 4.8 with 190,000 still running strong when I sold it.
Recently bought an '04 Avalanche 5.3, has 70,000 easy miles on it and the 2-3 shift is starting to get lazy. Hoping I can baby it until I can afford to attempt my first rebuild. Some is how the unit is cared for and I believe some is just plain luck.
'97 1500 5.7 had 140,000 when I lost overdrive. Was abused before I bought it so I and sold it.
'99 NBS 4.8 with 190,000 still running strong when I sold it.
Recently bought an '04 Avalanche 5.3, has 70,000 easy miles on it and the 2-3 shift is starting to get lazy. Hoping I can baby it until I can afford to attempt my first rebuild. Some is how the unit is cared for and I believe some is just plain luck.
01-13-2016, 08:02 PM
#32
In '96 GM reduced the number of heat treated parts including the sun shell. Combine this with the more powerful LS style motors and they really started to eat trannies more often. Regardless of vintage, flush the fluid every 30-50k, use a good synthetic fluid, and they will typically last a good long time.
