Hey guys...going to get myself dirty and drop the pan me thinks...going to also try and drain the converter. Coming apart is the easy part...I would like to find out if I should reuse the original gasket...or if a new one is mandatory...also if the filter replacement comes with everything I will need?

Lastly, is there a torque spec on the pan bolts, as well as a pattern I should follow for putting the pan back on? I just think at 154,000 miles, it is well time. Doesn't look as though it was ever lowered.

What I do have (driveability issue) is this: On a hillclimb, at low speed, I can feel the truck surge. Almost like a bucking, if that makes sense. At highway speed, also on a grade, if I get the trans to kick down a gear, the tach will rise sharply and smoothly but the truck won't accelerate no matter how hard I try. About 10 seconds or so into this the engine speed will actually drop about 500-600rpm and then it starts to accelerate...all under the same throttle load. I don't know what else to contribute this to but the trans...and the cheapest fix I can think of is a full flush.

Any other ideas? Does it sound like a flush may cure this, or does it need a professional visit? The trans goes in and out of each gear smoothly and quietly otherwise.

Thanks!

Sam

 

IIRC the original gasket is a rubber one and can be reused. Try the tranny fluid change and see where that puts you as far as the issues you described. That would be my first step as well.

 

Thanks man...and holy crap on the quickness of your reply! I was just editing my post! LOL

 

Haha, I guess I am quick like ninja

 

Also, if you don't already have a drain pan (I forget if they do or not from the factory) it would be a very good idea to install one in the transmission pan as long as you have it down. I think that the drain plug kit is under $2.

 

Yes it does in fact...I'm going that route before I drop the pan of course...lol, I wish I had one of those huge catch buckets and a lift...would make it easier for sure. As it is, I have enough clearance on the ground though.

 

OK, off to work. now I have this, and a 4 wheel shock change to deal with. I wonder if I'll ever get a day off that it isn't snowing?

 

You can re-use the gasket if it's in good shape....generally the new filter will come with a gasket too.

10-12 ft lb on the bolts.

 

Have fun on the rear drivers shock. Make sure that you have a detachable arm or some extensions.

 

What kind of shape is your fuel filter in? It might be restricting fuel supply just when you need all the volumn you can get.

 

Stupid question... but I have never seen or heard of anyone draining the converter without physically taking it out. How is this done? In everyhting I've ever seen, it's a major PITA if you don't prefill the converter. So I'm unsure how you would drain and fill it. I htought this was the benefit of actually having a tranny flush. Because they are forcing the fluid thorugh the converter, thus replacing the old fluid with new.

Like i said, stupid question. Maybe I'm just accustomed to doing things the hard way! haha

 

Yeah dude...I'm thinking 18" of extensions should gett'rdone.

 

Hey, my mom always taught me there is no such thing as a stupid question...just stupid people.

On that note, I don't know! I'm just told that the converter has a drainplug on these! I didn't think far enough ahead to figure out prefilling...I was just going to do it the old fashioned way...put fluid in until full, then start putting it in each gear to fill the journals...making sure the fluid level never drops too low...kind of like bleeding brakes I guess. Now you got me thinking though!

 

Interesting...where is the sucker?

Not something I had given thought to...probably because it seems to be sucking gas just fine!

 

I did go and read some stuff. I'm planning to do this on my 03 when I get home in June, that's why I asked.

What I found that might work and be pretty easy is to drain the pan and replace the filter like normal. Fill it back up as normal. then pull the lines from the cooler by the radiator and have someone start the vehicle up. it should push the fluid out of the converter into the cooler and thus into your drain pan. Keep doing this until the oil comes out clean.

it's a generic way, but it sounds logical to me so you can get the fluid out of the cooler also.