I was driving last night and felt a strange "stutter." Every so
often (especially after I made a turn and straightened out), it would
stutter more. I got very nervous so I decided to take it to the shop
today. It stuttered some more, but here's the real catch...when I got
to the shop and tried reversing into a spot, I COULDN'T REVERSE!!! I
knew officially that the transmission was fried, and I'm so happy that
it didn't crap out UNTIL I got to the shop. I totally thank the Lord
for that.

But back on topic, unfortunately, this particular shop only services
transmissions, but doesn't replace or rebuild them. They gave me some
numbers to call on Monday. They estimate it will be at least a $1400
fix from their point of view.

Just to be safe, I'm leaving the truck there for a few days until I
have a tow truck take it to the next spot. I don't want to chance
driving it even home....which leaves me in my current situation:

It's 10 years old ('97) and has been reliable for the most part, with
a few fixes here and there (alternator, EGR valve, new battery, water
pump and other fixes I can't remember). Some stats:

-80,000 miles
-AC works, but has a few leaks. Recently put freon inside. It's
probably going to die soon too.
-paint is quite scratched up
-Truck bed looks like hell and the tailgate is worse (I have to pull
the inside metal tabs to open it, since the handle doesn't open
automatically anymore, arrrggh)
-when it rains, the inside smells. I don't know where the leak is
coming from and I haven't tried to fix it.

I don't really feel like fixing the transmission as I don't know if it
will really help the overall value. But I feel I may NEED IT just to
go around to various dealerships to see what the trade-in value is. I
would hate to have to tow it to one dealership at a time.

I'm looking at various truck prices. I want something reliable, safe,
but still somewhat appealing. I see great trucks from Ford, GMC, Dodge
and Toyota. I've seen some '07 Dodge Ram 1500s for $15K and Dakota
Quad Cabs at $16,888, but they don't mention the warranty.

I don't need a superpowerful, good-looking gas guzzler but something
good-looking enough that is DEPENDABLE and SAFE for at least 5 years.
I'll even take a V6 since I don't need to show off. Most likely, I
will trade in my POS, but don't really know where to start.

I know it's an information overload, but I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,
-Joel

buy a gm product they got the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty perfect. if your
looking for a truck just a regular half ton with a v8 because the v8 gets
better gas mileage the the v6 in a full size truck. i own a 06 sierra with
5.3 v8 get 22mpg on highway 19.5mpg average. plenty of power
"Joelberg" <JoelOmatik (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

with out a working tranny it has zero trade in value. So your options are
fix it, drive it another year and then trade, slap a used tranny in it and
trade,
scrape it and put the money to fix it towards the down payment on a new.
Sounds like the thing has been beat to death, and should just be put out of
its misery.

Whitelightning

I'm about to do just that

"Joelberg" <JoelOmatik (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote in news:1172979546.951116.27200
@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

sometimes its best to just cut your losses........if you re-tranny it
(1000 bucks) you have to drive it a year or better to recoup...what could
happen in that year is anyones guess......if you have the means. buy a
new truck and enjoy...all manuf warranties are top notch right now. as
far as a dealer living up to them = another gamble.................

Kjun wrote:
Have you checked to see if the fluid level is correct?
Charles

Sounds like the sunshell (sometimes call reaction shell) broke, a common
problem on the 4l60e. I had the same problem, I had a new shell put in, it
lasted a couple more years.

"Joelberg" <JoelOmatik (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote