I just bought a 96 4x4 extended cab with the 360. The tranny shifts great. In and out of drive and reverse, up shifts and down shifts all are normal. BUT when it locks the torque converter it is basically a slam rather than just the general surge you feel. It does it whether I am on the throttle just a little or alot. But if I am off of the throttle completely until it locks up it doesn't do it. Is it possible that the converter has taken a crap and that changing it out, and changing the filter and fluid I could save the tranny?

Thanks for any insight ya have.

 

Are you sure that it is the TC and not OD unit?

 

Yep, It does it with the O/D off. It is definitely when the T/C locks up. Also the fluid looks and smells fine. Level is fine. It kinda shudders a bit when unlocking sometimes but is a definitive clunk/slam (can hear it and feel it thru the truck) when it locks up.

 

Well another symptom showed itself in the cold this morning. When I put the truck in gear it stalls the engine out. Doesn't seem like a engine issue seems more like the t/c or tranny as its just like letting a clutch out a touch to fast. If I give it just a bit of gas when I put it in gear it will not stall and moves but I can hear a whine from the tranny area. Once I move it 20 feet or so the whine goes away and I can stop without it stalling. Checked tranny fluid again, still full and still smells good.

I still am looking towards the t/c but think it could also be the pump. I would like to throw a t/c in it and see but if its the tranny then I am basically trashing a new t/c. And just buying the truck I really can't swing a tranny right before christmas when it "could" be just the t/c.

Anyone have any ideas on how to narrow it down more?

 

Without having some diagnostic tools, and knowing what information you are looking at, no. About the only choice you get is throwing parts at it. You could try replacing the O/D and TCC solenoid set, and see if it isn't just a sticking solenoid..... would also give you the chance to see what kinds of rude stuff, if any, is in your trans pan. The t/c's on these trucks were one of the weak points from the factory..... so, one going belly up isn't really a surprise. Trouble is, when they do, they distribute crap throughout the trans, and it is only a matter of time before something else goes, and the trans simply stops working.

You could toss a cheap t/c in there, just to get by for a while, and see what happens.....

 

The worst part of doing the TC change is dropping the tranny and reinstalling. I would hate to do that much work just to try something. The solenoids are about $100 to change. and it is a whole lot easier. And I would suggest putting a drain plug in the tranny pan as well since you may be going back into sometime soon.

 

The work of changing it isnt to bad. It's the thought of ruining a brand new t/c that has me not wanting to do it. I just can't afford to throw parts at it when those parts could be ruined.

So I guess the next question is what years tranny is interchangeable as that looks as though after changing solenoids that would be the next step. Thanks

 

I am thinking 96 through 2001 - but I am just guessing. Some ealier years do not have the electrical parts inside. Just make sure you find the same model as yours. There is a thread (I think in the FAQ/DIY section) that list tranmission models and years. I would check that out.

If you do a swap and can keep yours, you could rebuild it when you get time/money and have it ready in case the other one takes a dive.

 

Thanks. Yeah I looked thru the FAQ/DIY section again and still didn't see which are interchangeable anywhere. 96-01 would be great as it opens up my options. Are they 2wd and 4wd specific? Or can I change out the tailshaft?

I am definatily going to take a stab at rebuilding the one in it once I find a replacement. I feel pretty confident that between the service manual and walkthrough on here I can get it done. I have done alot of wrenching in my life but this will be the first auto rebuild for me.

 

Physically, the various model years are pretty much the same. There are MAJOR differences between two, and four wheel drive models though. (output shaft, for instance......) there are some various break points where sensor wiring changed as well, so, while just about any 96 and up trans will bolt in, you may have to change sensors/solenoids/governor solenoid block to make it work right. Safest bet would be to get a 96 or 97 trans, if you can find one. (get a 4x4 trans. 2wd will basically require rebuilding with the correct parts to make it work.)

Another possible pitfall is the torque converter. At some point in the model years, the job of balancing on the 360's moved from the t/c, to the 'drive plate'. That's another reason I recommend sticking with a 96 or 97 trans.