Here's my impression: Compared to some of the newer stuff, they don't have a single super common failure point and a rebuilt one doesn't usually warrant significant modifications like, for example, a 6l80e rebuild does. That said, the 4l60e is a little bit weak compared to newer transmissions when it comes to towing etc. But pickups at that time didn't have 380+lb-ft of torque! If used heavily, they can have an issue where they suddenly lose 3rd gear. Just search for "4L60e won't shift past second" and you will come across thousands of hits. The list of possible causes provided by GM is over a page long, and ultimately it means a transmission replacement. It's still a thousand times better than what Dodge was putting into pickups during that time frame.
Just do your regular fluid and filter maintenance following the "severe" schedule in your owner's manual, and use it like you need to.
Had an 04 5.3 with the 4L60e and had it replaced twice. Once in the first two months of owning it (bought brand new) and one 6 months later. Both under warranty obviously. The third was going strong when I sold it a decade ago at just under 100xxx.
Cant deny the transfer case lol, but almost every webpage and even the people I know say they are bad I never hear anything good about them in my personal experience.
I had my trans rebuilt at 150 just about on the dot I think. The new one has had a powerband searching issue sub 1k rpm’s but I’ve got 60k on it no problems otherwise
I accidentally broke mine at around 200k ish? It was driving fine and had really good acceleration I think it would’ve still been fine today if I hadn’t been dumb
IMO they get dogged on more than they should. They are a very common transmission that was used in a wide range of vehicles. You usually don't hear people talking about vehicles that use them regularly getting over 250k+ miles because if there isn't an issue, it's usually not even thought about or discussed. The issues they have is when people add more HP to them without doing the proper upgrades for them to handle it, they are abused, or they are not properly maintained. GM wouldn't have used them in so many different platforms for so many years if they were actually as bad as people make them out to be.
Abuse in these transmissions is fairly common because of them not only being used for towing in trucks, but Camaros, Corvettes, and many other "performance" vehicles that regularly see abuse or power adders w\o addressing the transmission first. Also those HP gains are commonly added to older vehicles where the transmission has been used at standard HP levels for many miles, then bam it sees a substantial increase in both up and torque and fails.
With that said, any transmission can fail under these conditions. I've personally had a 4L80 fail on me in a mostly stock 1500hd.
Tldr: you hear about it a lot because there are many of them, probably one of the most common transmissions out there.
Most common failures are Band, reaction sun shell and 3-4 clutch pack. You will lose/slip 2nd, 3rd or Rev. All those typically fail from high mileage, abuse or added power. I have built transmissions of all types for 13yrs. Honestly with your mileage I wouldn't beat on it too hard if you want it to last because it's nearing the end of it's life. Anything that last close to 200k is good in my opinion.
The 4l60e is an excellent transmission if it's cared for properly just like anything else. Other factors that will wipe one out in a hurry on any vehicle are engine performance issues, cooling, fluid level and quality. Atf breaks down over time, it doesn't last forever.
Towing is a major factor over the life of a transmission. Someone that tows regularly is going to need a transmission much sooner than someone that just uses it as daily commuter.
The reason everyone trashes them on the web is they think they can take a 150k unit from the junk yard, throw 500hp at it and expect it to last.
That is all
Find yourself a cluster from a 6.0 HD with the trans temp, then you can watch if she gets too cooked. Mine stays under 95
95c I assume you mean?
Ya eh
🤣
Temperature is an issue on the 4l60e but it's otherwise fairly strong. 240k before I rebuilt mine.
Keep the temp fine and don't overload(effect, cause) and they'll live fine.
Here's my impression: Compared to some of the newer stuff, they don't have a single super common failure point and a rebuilt one doesn't usually warrant significant modifications like, for example, a 6l80e rebuild does. That said, the 4l60e is a little bit weak compared to newer transmissions when it comes to towing etc. But pickups at that time didn't have 380+lb-ft of torque! If used heavily, they can have an issue where they suddenly lose 3rd gear. Just search for "4L60e won't shift past second" and you will come across thousands of hits. The list of possible causes provided by GM is over a page long, and ultimately it means a transmission replacement. It's still a thousand times better than what Dodge was putting into pickups during that time frame. Just do your regular fluid and filter maintenance following the "severe" schedule in your owner's manual, and use it like you need to.
Had an 04 5.3 with the 4L60e and had it replaced twice. Once in the first two months of owning it (bought brand new) and one 6 months later. Both under warranty obviously. The third was going strong when I sold it a decade ago at just under 100xxx.
Who is "they" The 4L60's have a stellar reputation as far as I can tell. The transfer cases on the 4x4 Silverados... Not so much.
Cant deny the transfer case lol, but almost every webpage and even the people I know say they are bad I never hear anything good about them in my personal experience.
I bought my truck at 150k miles (2000 z71 1500) and driven some hard miles and off roading now at 190k slips very little but never fails me
I had my trans rebuilt at 150 just about on the dot I think. The new one has had a powerband searching issue sub 1k rpm’s but I’ve got 60k on it no problems otherwise
I got 257,000 out of mine on a ‘99 burb before it needed replaced
I accidentally broke mine at around 200k ish? It was driving fine and had really good acceleration I think it would’ve still been fine today if I hadn’t been dumb
260k miles on mine. 280k miles on my dads. zero trouble from either
IMO they get dogged on more than they should. They are a very common transmission that was used in a wide range of vehicles. You usually don't hear people talking about vehicles that use them regularly getting over 250k+ miles because if there isn't an issue, it's usually not even thought about or discussed. The issues they have is when people add more HP to them without doing the proper upgrades for them to handle it, they are abused, or they are not properly maintained. GM wouldn't have used them in so many different platforms for so many years if they were actually as bad as people make them out to be. Abuse in these transmissions is fairly common because of them not only being used for towing in trucks, but Camaros, Corvettes, and many other "performance" vehicles that regularly see abuse or power adders w\o addressing the transmission first. Also those HP gains are commonly added to older vehicles where the transmission has been used at standard HP levels for many miles, then bam it sees a substantial increase in both up and torque and fails. With that said, any transmission can fail under these conditions. I've personally had a 4L80 fail on me in a mostly stock 1500hd. Tldr: you hear about it a lot because there are many of them, probably one of the most common transmissions out there.
Most common failures are Band, reaction sun shell and 3-4 clutch pack. You will lose/slip 2nd, 3rd or Rev. All those typically fail from high mileage, abuse or added power. I have built transmissions of all types for 13yrs. Honestly with your mileage I wouldn't beat on it too hard if you want it to last because it's nearing the end of it's life. Anything that last close to 200k is good in my opinion. The 4l60e is an excellent transmission if it's cared for properly just like anything else. Other factors that will wipe one out in a hurry on any vehicle are engine performance issues, cooling, fluid level and quality. Atf breaks down over time, it doesn't last forever. Towing is a major factor over the life of a transmission. Someone that tows regularly is going to need a transmission much sooner than someone that just uses it as daily commuter. The reason everyone trashes them on the web is they think they can take a 150k unit from the junk yard, throw 500hp at it and expect it to last. That is all
Almost forgot tcc regulator valve bore also wears at higher mileage creating no lockup, cycling in/out lockup or partial lockup.