Late tranny in a 1996 GC
 

Will a late (03-07) A604 41TE tran bolt into a earlier GC? 1996 3.3 GC needs trans work and I may have found a working low mileage 41TE out of a 05 3.3 GC. Will it work and are there any mods? Thanks all. Still new to this van and to this forum.

Yes it will bolt right in. Yes you will have to do some modifications.

1st. the torque converter/flex plate. If you get the 05 trans, get the flex plate also. Or buy a new converter for your van 1996 and put it in the 05 trans.

2nd. Range sensor (aka, neutral safety switch/ reverse lamp switch). This plug is totally different between the 2. If you can get the 05 trans and have them cut off the connector then splice it into your van.

Sounds do-able! Thanks for the info.

OK cool. So the t/c from the 96 van will fit the later trans, then I can keep my 96 flexplate. Or...use the late (turns out it is an 03) t/c and get an 03 flexplate. Is that right?

Also, any idea when they started using the newer style range sensor connector? I need to find one at a recycling yard or something. I don't supose th range sensor from the 96 trans will swap to the 03 trans?

Thanks for your help!

Correct, I don't know how to make it any clearer than what I said.

October 1999 was the start of the new style connector.

To swap sensor, you need to remove the valve body which opens up a can of worms unless you are an experienced trans guy. and some modifications need to happen as the hole size thru the case is different between 96 and the 03. I'd think you wouldn't want to screw around with taking a chance of screwing up a perfectly good trans vs. just splicing like 10 wires? But that's all I know about this swap.

I will definetly not get into the good used trans other than to throw in a filter. I will just splice the wires.

ATF+4 is the correct fluid I am told, do you agree?
Also, what are your thoughts on an external cooler?

btw. Just clarifying for my sake

Well everyone states if you don't run ATF+4 your transmission will instantly explode, so I guess that's the best choice

My thoughts are if you're towing then you probably need it.

Question: What failed on the current trans?

I really don't know what failed or what symptoms it showed. I bought the van recently knowing it needed trans work. The body was nice, its a CA car, and the interior has held up remarkably well.

Battery was stone cold dead when I got the van. Put in a battery, she started up and purred. Selector into reverse...nothing. No noise, No movement. Selector into drive...it engaged and the van drove 100 ft or so when I stopped. Tried to go again and it wouldn't until later when I tried it again. When it did drive forward it felt perfectly normal and sounded normal

Flush the trans cooler before you install the new trans jsut to be sure there's no crap in it.

will do! thanks for your good advise/knowlege