4L60/e, to rebuild or not rebuild ? that is the question..

[zyka1]

Hi to anyone who has tried to reuild a 4L60/e tranny.

I just read a few posts about DIY 4l60 tranny, the followed the book to the "T" and did (almost) everything as I would have done it or better, and after a few months (!!!!) of working on the tranny and finishing it. It turned out to be a waste of DIY time and $ ( http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/631230-basement-4l60e-buildup-photos-3.html ) this page 3 of the thread.

What do you think ? Is it doable or not ?? I really want to do this, but don't want the bitter disappointment like this dude had. I am the pro active type and mechanically minded, always fixing things: at work, around the house, on the car. Its not just the saving in $$'s but the satisfaction of knowing you have done it right. Also gaining a new insight into the car that i rely on every day. if i can get another 150k mile on it, it would be great.

So is it doable or not, or do you have to be a tranny guru ?

Old Yukon

 

[zyka1]

Just to make things clearer.
Its not a matter of learning on a tranny for me. Just keeping the yukon going strong for 4 or 5 more years at least.

Man my biggest issue it lack of access to anything; books, tools, knowledge, and helping hands. With this "one hand tied behind my back" I have a gut feeling it will be a challenge, a really big challenge. Hay I like a challenge !!, but i don't want to bit of more then i can chew.
Doing a tranny, this is a new thing, and i will be traveling into the world of the unknown.Some type of reference point would be really helpful for DIY'ers like me.
For example
Level of complexity -( 1-10 most complex)
range of tools needed -(1-10 complete range of general and specialist tools)
Skill level required - (1-10 high level of skill)
Time required in total - (hours)
Success rate of backyard DIY 4L60/e rebuilds - (%)
Main problems of rebuild failures -(parts, kits, errors etc)

Calling on those with experience ( good and bad ) to help us DIY'ers out here, it would be a really useful thread if we could get a clear insight into the tranny rebuild world.

Old yukon

 

[blueflamed03]

I had mine rebuild with heavy duty good parts, worked fine for last 2.5 years.

 

[zyka1]

Hay Blue flamed03
thats good to here man.
When you said you had it built, do you mean done by you or a tranny pro?
What did they do to get you tranny going ? what was wrong with it before you got it done ?

 

[blueflamed03]

I had it done by the same guy locally that built my race TH350...i never blew it up, so just handed him the keys, said "build it good!"

 

[zyka1]

It great to see you have good trustworthy local mechanics. And im happy to hear all went well. some of us are not that fortunate.

come on guys with experience help us DIYers out here. complete this list below, to help us decide if we should rebuild the 4L60E as first timers or not. It will only take a few short minutes.

Level of complexity -( 1-10 most complex)
range of tools needed - (1-10 complete range of general and specialist tools)
Skill level required - (1-10 high level of skill)
Time required in total - (hours)
Success rate of backyard DIY 4L60/e rebuilds - (%)
Main problems of rebuild failures -(parts, kits, errors etc)

looking forward to the replies by the DIYers and experts

Old yukon.