Extending the Life of a 700R4.....how?
 

ok....our new 01 S10 quad cab as the 700R4 in it...i want to extend the life of this thing as much as possible....Moble1 ATF and a trans cooler would help alot would it not? :confused: what eles can be done.

First, check the condition of the fluid. Second, does the trans shift ok now? If it does then, a Trans-Go Shift kit (modified to HD specs), Covette servo, .471 main boost valve, .296 intermediate/reverse boost valve. This should help extend the life quite a lot. Transmission cooler is always a help. I prefer Amsoil to Mobil One, if you are going to synthetic. I carry the modified Trans-Go Shift kit , Corvette servo, & both boost valves. Let me know?

Re: Extending the Life of a 700R4.....how?
 

If it is a 2001 wouldn't it be a 4L60E?

i don't think so... even tho...aren't they the same damned thing?

I thought trucks got 4L80E trannies

umm i thought it was a 700R4...but i dunno for sure....what ever it is what can i do to improve the "life span" of it.

2001 will have the 4L60E as the last year for the 700/4L60 was 1993. The 4L80E is only in larger Trucks. You need a TransGo Shift Kit or you WILL have problems that will result in Code 1870 and perhaps even broken parts (very common). A cooler (TruCool) is also a great idea but the most important on this is the SK.

what does that code mean? and y can't GM make good transmissions?

Code 1870 means "Transmission Component Slipping". That being said, the first area that gives out is the VB as it wears and you get the code from the Converter Clutch slipping. Of course you can also get this with a Clutch or Band slip and the 4L60E has no way of differentiating between the Converter and the Tranny.

As far as GM not building a good Tranny actually they in many ways are better than for example the original 700, and then the 4L60. What you don't see is the problems that all the other car owners have with their Trannies! The fact of the matter is the "legendary" trannies such as the 350 and 400 would have been done 2-3 times in the time the average 4L60E goes before it's first O/H. Now please don't blast me with the guy down the streets car that went through three Trannies in 20K. I know, I fix them too. I am just saying the "average" lifespan of an automatic is way up as is the entire vehicle.

Leo is righ on with his assement of late model automatic transmissions. It only seems like, maybe a 700R4, is more trouble prone, but that is because what is primarily discussed on this board. I have a few Fords, my sons have the GM cars. When the AOD trans went out in my van, I kind of found out from the trade, "if you own a Ford, you better find a good auto trans guy", because you'll need him sooner rather than later. That's why I use to own nothing but manual trans cars, because I at least knew how to fix them.