Spare trans for Grumpy
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Spare trans for Grumpy
So I'm seriously thinking about bringing a spare transmission and the tools needed to preform the swap on the BA/BE Rally just in case, that is if it doesn't die beforehand. Someone near me is advertising a 2000 trans w/ low miles for 'cheap'. Anyone know if a 2000 trans and a 1997 trans are interchangeable? IIRC they should both be 4L60E. Is there any different between trans on vans with AWD and 2WD?
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
as far as a 97 & 2000 being the same , i'm not sure .but i do know the tail shafts on a 2wd tranny & an AWD tranny are completely different .
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
I dont know if this matters at all but since the pre 98 is not electronic and the post 98 is electronic it might cause some issues.
99 sle awd safari
Another addition to cash for clunkers.
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Another addition to cash for clunkers.
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Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
That's just the T-case. '99 on are electronic cases.midnighthunder89 wrote:I dont know if this matters at all but since the pre 98 is not electronic and the post 98 is electronic it might cause some issues.
It is a big job to R&R a trans in an AWD. The torsion bars have to come out IIRC. Not like a RWD, they're easy.
I think that all the 2 piece (4L60) transmissions interchange, but I could be wrong. There may be some wiring/ecm differences.
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
When I checked the trans fluid Saturday it was some of the darkest I've ever seen. I want to find the time within the next week or so to change it. Hopefully doing that and adding some Lucas Transmission Fix will make it somewhat better. I am aware however that the trans is most likely on its last legs.
Anyone got some non trans swap tips that might help this thing?
Anyone got some non trans swap tips that might help this thing?
Dang it. I've dropped and installed my '94 2WD's trans and it was fairly simple. I was hoping that the AWD wouldn't be too much harder.rlsllc wrote:It is a big job to R&R a trans in an AWD. The torsion bars have to come out IIRC. Not like a RWD, they're easy.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
Called the guy, its from a 2WD van with 18K miles that got rolled and he'd like at least $200. How hard is it to swap the output shafts? Would it be better to just find a AWD trans?ihatemybike wrote:Someone near me is advertising a 2000 trans w/ low miles for 'cheap'. Anyone know if a 2000 trans and a 1997 trans are interchangeable?
Hmmm, $200 I might just pick it up as a spare for my '99.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
I've had great success with SeaFoam TransTune. I used it last year on both my sleepy tranny in my 1963 Ford Falcon and my slipping/hard shift tranny in my 1998 Astro. Worked for both and haven't touched either since. Now I'm just waiting to see how long they will last. I chose this stuff as it doesn't seal leaks, swell gaskets, or is extra thick. Three things I did not need or want.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/transTuneConsumer.htm
http://www.seafoamsales.com/transTuneConsumer.htm
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles
K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
Hey, that sounds pretty good. I'll give the Sea Foam a shot when I do the fluid/filter/backyard flush and see how the trans reacts.
I wonder what it will do for my grumbly power steering, website says it helps there too.
I wonder what it will do for my grumbly power steering, website says it helps there too.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:52 am
- Location: cortland, ohio
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
that trans is a great deal for $200. i paid $350 for mine with 44k on it last april. when i was calling salvage yards, i was told that 1999 and 2000 model year rwd vans used different transmissions.
however, when seeing if gm would be interested in buying my old core to rebuild, i noticed that the part number was listed for both 1999 and 2000 rwd models.
see if you can get the vin from that 2000 van, and your 1999 vin. if both listings point to one part number, then you should be able to use that 2000 trans in your 99 van.
however, when seeing if gm would be interested in buying my old core to rebuild, i noticed that the part number was listed for both 1999 and 2000 rwd models.
see if you can get the vin from that 2000 van, and your 1999 vin. if both listings point to one part number, then you should be able to use that 2000 trans in your 99 van.
2000 Astro 4.3 A4- b&m transcooler/autometer trans temp gauge. 171k miles
1995 Astro 4.3 A4- generic flowmaster muffler. 239k miles
1995 Astro 4.3 A4- generic flowmaster muffler. 239k miles
Re: Spare trans for Grumpy
Lets put it this way, when you build a trans, the output shaft is more or less the first part that you put in. That makes it the last part to come out when tearing down. It's not an easy swap out.ihatemybike wrote: How hard is it to swap the output shafts? Would it be better to just find a AWD trans?
Hmmm, $200 I might just pick it up as a spare for my '99.
Finding an AWD trans is your best bet.
The 'spare for the '99 idea' is a good one.
My $.02