Need help, opinion on tranny fix.

tifosiv122 · 08-03-2006, 07:42 PM

First, hello everyone, n00b here, thanks for looking.

I have a '99 Jimmy SLS 2door 4wd that I purchased 18 months ago with 78xxx that now has 102xxx. When I purchased the truck I did a full service. Tuneup, oil change, tranny service, new brakes, new tires, new battery. She's been running good with the exception of one problem.

During a long drive, about 7-8 months ago she started to buck a bit. RPMs didn't drop, no CEL. I was able to replicate it again, it seemed to happen mostly between 75-95mph. I kept it around 70 and it was fine the rest of the trip. It started happening again a few days ago, same senario but when I was driving only 30 mins or so.

I took it to the dealer who says its the torque converter. I took it to an indy shop who agreed but said I'm still in the early stage and that I should do a VB replace with the new version of it.

My question is, should I do the VB replace or just throw another Tranny in there. I can get a tranny for around $125 and another $450 to install or do the VB job for around $350. My concern is doing the VB and 5 months later having to put in another tranny anyway.

Any help/advice would be great. Again, no CEL came up, but we did hook it up to a OBDII box and saw the drop in the locking system thing which is why the indy says its a VB issue, most likely.

Thanks,
Erik

gchemist · 08-08-2006, 07:23 PM

If you plan on keeping it for a long time, rebuild. I'm amazed if any stock tranny makes it over 85000 miles. A VB is only a bandaid. Install an external oil cooler too. Heat is the number one killer of trannys.
http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/tra...expectancy.htm

Note: replace the rear oil seal while the transmission is out!!! Believe me, you'll say thanks later.

I just bought a 96 Jimmy. The previous owner rebuilt the transmission at 120000 miles. The only other reason to buy for me, I know I won't replace the tranny in my ownership. The rebuld was $1700 with labor last year. I paid $1700 for the Jimmy.

08-03-2006, 07:42 PM	#1
tifosiv122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1 Location: User is: OffLine	Need help, opinion on tranny fix. First, hello everyone, n00b here, thanks for looking. I have a '99 Jimmy SLS 2door 4wd that I purchased 18 months ago with 78xxx that now has 102xxx. When I purchased the truck I did a full service. Tuneup, oil change, tranny service, new brakes, new tires, new battery. She's been running good with the exception of one problem. During a long drive, about 7-8 months ago she started to buck a bit. RPMs didn't drop, no CEL. I was able to replicate it again, it seemed to happen mostly between 75-95mph. I kept it around 70 and it was fine the rest of the trip. It started happening again a few days ago, same senario but when I was driving only 30 mins or so. I took it to the dealer who says its the torque converter. I took it to an indy shop who agreed but said I'm still in the early stage and that I should do a VB replace with the new version of it. My question is, should I do the VB replace or just throw another Tranny in there. I can get a tranny for around $125 and another $450 to install or do the VB job for around $350. My concern is doing the VB and 5 months later having to put in another tranny anyway. Any help/advice would be great. Again, no CEL came up, but we did hook it up to a OBDII box and saw the drop in the locking system thing which is why the indy says its a VB issue, most likely. Thanks, Erik
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08-08-2006, 07:23 PM	#2
gchemist Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 356 Location: Austin User is: OffLine	Re: Need help, opinion on tranny fix. If you plan on keeping it for a long time, rebuild. I'm amazed if any stock tranny makes it over 85000 miles. A VB is only a bandaid. Install an external oil cooler too. Heat is the number one killer of trannys. http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/tra...expectancy.htm Note: replace the rear oil seal while the transmission is out!!! Believe me, you'll say thanks later. I just bought a 96 Jimmy. The previous owner rebuilt the transmission at 120000 miles. The only other reason to buy for me, I know I won't replace the tranny in my ownership. The rebuld was $1700 with labor last year. I paid $1700 for the Jimmy. Last edited by gchemist : 08-08-2006 at 07:25 PM.
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