Dan,

I remember something about my tranny guy saying that my torque converter on my truck had a drain plug on it. I am shooting from the hip here but could that be part of your problem? I dont know but I would try and check that before dropping the tranny. I have a 99 as well. Just my .02

 

'99s did have a drain plug in the torque converter.

 

"was cruising up the mountain pass at bout 85 MPH when it started leaking got another 10 or 15 miles before it was done and left me stranded"

Did you run it dry\won't move any further? If so your in for more than just a seal replacment unfortunatly

 

well I don't know if I caught it time, saw thw white smoke and pilled off the Highway. I already started to pull the tranny so I will drop the inspection plate just to see if the drain plug came out. What more should I expect to encounter, your input is appreciated.

UPDATE: checked drain plug...not the leak

 

Usually nothing is damaged when the trans dumps the fluid like this, especially if you stop pretty quickly. As the trans empties the pan the clutches let go because there is no pressure. They don't slip, they just release. You also lose lube, but if you stop pretty fast no damage will occur.

Chances are you'll need to replace the seal and maybe the torque converter if the surface the seal rides on is damaged.