What did you do to your NBS GMT800 Tahoe/Yukon Today?

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Bombsquad85

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Try looking at Richmond Auto Upholstery https://leather-auto-seats.com/. If it's close to the same price, I'd buy from them. They just replaced my drivers side under warranty even though it's over 2 years old and the warranty was for one year. They also let me know that even though The Seat Shop says their covers are made in the USA, they actually import most of their stuff from China and elsewhere. They even buy some of their stuff from Richmond and re-sell it under their own name. Richmond is guaranteed USA-made and in-house. I tried sending messages to The Seat Shop and asking about whether they import and they won't answer me back.

Honestly this truck isn't worth dumping a bunch of money into. I found a vinyl replacement on eBay for less than $80 I'll probably go with that.
 

Rocket Man

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The problem is likely grease monkeys that use a rattle gun to reinstall the drain plug... this is why I change my own fluid!

You can just yank the trans cooler line and run the engine for a few seconds and the trans will pump most of the fluid out. Youll have to drop the pan anyways if you are changing the filter... I plan to install an external filter which filters far better then an internal and is as easy to change as an oil filter... no more pan drops for me.
Thought I'd ask someone I consider an expert on transmissions- the people I bought the one for my high HP application, Performabuilt. I've heard about installing an external one like you described but was skeptical about leaving the internal one in and not changing it ever again. I'm more skeptical after Alan @ Performabuilt had this to say. Of course I'm not saying don't do it, but maybe you might want to ask some more trans builders. Quote:


"Hey guys. I have one of your Level 3 4l60e's in my 2002 blown Yukon Denali. It's working great. I've read some threads in forums where guys have installed an external trans filter that filters to 10 microns and they say they can just change the internal filter one time, when they install the external one, and then never change the internal one again, just the external one along with a fluid change by using the self-pumping method. I'm skeptical of this but was wondering your thoughts on it. Thanks, Mark."


From Performabuilt:

"External filters have their place, but most have a blow by valve in case they get clogged. Historically they were used for times when you suspect excessive fluid contamination and are meant to be temporary. They were not meant for permanent use as you describe. Even if new products are available that claim to replace the internal filter, I would not recommend what you described.

Alan"
 

ScottyBoy

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Honestly this truck isn't worth dumping a bunch of money into. I found a vinyl replacement on eBay for less than $80 I'll probably go with that.

I have a friend who bought a Silverado with a replacement vinyl seat cover like you describe. At first glance it looks like leather. I commented on his seats and they were in great shape for a 15 year old truck. But then I rubbed my hand across it and I felt clear as day that it was vinyl. The previous owner replaced the lower seat covers with vinyl seat covers, probably in order to sell the truck, because they looked brand new. It looks like leather from 5 feet away, but feels like a work truck vinyl seat. From a few feet away it looks GREAT, but up close you can CLEARLY tell. The color of the replacement was spot on, it matched the seat back near perfectly. I'd much rather leather, but if budget was my top concern, I would definitely get a vinyl replacement cover if I could not afford a new leather one. But I'd first try to locate a suitable used one in a junkyard. I know they are hard to find in decent shape, but I would still look.
 

Bombsquad85

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I have a friend who bought a Silverado with a replacement vinyl seat cover like you describe. At first glance it looks like leather. I commented on his seats and they were in great shape for a 15 year old truck. But then I rubbed my hand across it and I felt clear as day that it was vinyl. The previous owner replaced the lower seat covers with vinyl seat covers, probably in order to sell the truck, because they looked brand new. It looks like leather from 5 feet away, but feels like a work truck vinyl seat. From a few feet away it looks GREAT, but up close you can CLEARLY tell. The color of the replacement was spot on, it matched the seat back near perfectly. I'd much rather leather, but if budget was my top concern, I would definitely get a vinyl replacement cover if I could not afford a new leather one. But I'd first try to locate a suitable used one in a junkyard. I know they are hard to find in decent shape, but I would still look.

I hear ya. I could buy the leather one but this tahoe has 250k on it and a 80 seat is easier for me to justify I'll probably get rid of the tahoe next spring. And the vinyl will be better than duct tape haha
 

TheAutumnWind

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Thought I'd ask someone I consider an expert on transmissions- the people I bought the one for my high HP application, Performabuilt. I've heard about installing an external one like you described but was skeptical about leaving the internal one in and not changing it ever again. I'm more skeptical after Alan @ Performabuilt had this to say. Of course I'm not saying don't do it, but maybe you might want to ask some more trans builders. Quote:


"Hey guys. I have one of your Level 3 4l60e's in my 2002 blown Yukon Denali. It's working great. I've read some threads in forums where guys have installed an external trans filter that filters to 10 microns and they say they can just change the internal filter one time, when they install the external one, and then never change the internal one again, just the external one along with a fluid change by using the self-pumping method. I'm skeptical of this but was wondering your thoughts on it. Thanks, Mark."


From Performabuilt:

"External filters have their place, but most have a blow by valve in case they get clogged. Historically they were used for times when you suspect excessive fluid contamination and are meant to be temporary. They were not meant for permanent use as you describe. Even if new products are available that claim to replace the internal filter, I would not recommend what you described.

Alan"
I very much appreciate hearing this feedback especially from someone so well established in the transmission game.

Of course they have a blow by valve in case of clogging. The thought process is that I would change the filter more often due to it being so much more accessible and inexpensive to change. I would plan to change my trans filter around every 15k miles with an external kit, whereas I would only change the internal filter evey 50k miles at best due to the increased cost and effort required. IMHO that is way superior to the factory setup especially when you consider that the filtration is significantly improved in this scenario as well. If you hear otherwise howeber I would love to hear back!

IMHO the reasoning behind OEMs not doing this is really just cost savings... and the fact that it doesnt effect the vehicles until after they are out of warranty just like the lack of hvac filters in the newer 03+ rigs.
 

inmypassatlife

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I'm currently going through the Passlock relearn procedure Afyer replacing the ignition cylinder and the cylinder housing. Fingers crossed!
 

Rocket Man

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I finished up my valve cover/ignition upgrade today. Looks and runs better.
img_7213-jpg.184265
 

Rocket Man

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