Phew! Dodged a bullet...I think.

[black 4x4]

As some of you know from my new front end post I just got the entire front end of truck rebuild including new AT tires. So last Sunday I decided to go for a little off roading and see how the truck does.

Well, little off roading turned in to a very challenging eight mile almost 6000 ft climb. So the truck did amazing until almost summit then lost power completely. Engine was running as smooth as ever, temperature, oil, charge gauges showed everything normal but if I push the gas pedal all the way to the floor engine wouldn't rev up and the truck would just crawl forward at idle.

So obviously that scared the heck out of me, being middle of the nowhere and stuff so we turned around.

As soon as I pointed the truck down everything seemed back to normal. So I didn't think anything of it and drove home at times doing 80-85mph without any issue at all. Oh forgot to mention that I was near San Diego and drove back home to LA (about 130 miles)

So woke up yesterday went to work no problem, saw couple of clients and as I was driving back home all of a sudden from standing still truck would hardly move forward. It would rev up very rough, hardly get to 25mph and it shift to second around 4k then run smooth as ever and change the rest of the gears without any issues.

Well after three red lights I decide to pull over in to the nearest autozone parking lot and check the transmission oil. And what do I see? Dipstick dry as a bone.

Ran in grabbed three quarts of oil topped it off and drove home. On the way it seemed to drive a little better but nowhere near what it was. So all upset parked the truck went to bed. This morning got in started it up, it seemed to drive ok.

Drove around all day with million stop and go and the truck shifted beautifully so the long story short...I think and hope everything is ok and didn't damage anything internally.

 

[stamp11127]

What happens to machinery when the lubrication is low or nonexistent??? Transmissions, engines and rear ends are no different. If anything in your trans had tight clearences, they don't any more.

 

[thenaaks]

You should check the fluid level again soon. Also note the color or the fluid. It should be very pink on a paper towel. If that truck were mine, I'd be changing the tranny fluid and then looking for a leak that allowed it to get so low to start with.

It's almost unfathomable that you didn't think to stop and check the fluid when it first started acting up. You drove it hard and fast and long for an extra day. I'm not pointing fingers or calling names...but that was dumb.

 

[black 4x4]

You should check the fluid level again soon. Also note the color or the fluid. It should be very pink on a paper towel. If that truck were mine, I'd be changing the tranny fluid and then looking for a leak that allowed it to get so low to start with.

It's almost unfathomable that you didn't think to stop and check the fluid when it first started acting up. You drove it hard and fast and long for an extra day. I'm not pointing fingers or calling names...but that was dumb.

Lol @ not pointing fingers line. If the truck kept acting up once I turned around I would've checked the fluids and stuff but I figured maybe it had an issue with 4WD system and once we hit the asphalt it kept running like a champ so I didn't see any reason to get my ******* in a bunch.

Yeah fluid is super pink not burned looking and I'll change the fluid soon. Bought this truck about three weeks ago and previous owner did not take care of it. So who knows if the fluid was low because of 150k miles of driving and regular usage. Had to do a few things to it so far to make it go in a straight line.

It doesn't leak any oil on the ground but that doesn't mean it's not leaking oil.

And lastly...if this sucker dies on me because of the transmission issue its going to the crusher. Lol.

Don't wanna sound like a snob but I already have three brand new cars and bought this to have fun with. Don't mind spending a few bucks to make it go straight but if I have to spend thousands to fix the transmission not going to bother with it. Craigslist has dozens of these things up for sale around a thousand bucks. They are pretty much disposable.

 

[black 4x4]

It was a great view though.

http://youtu.be/38nb5P7uW58

 

[Bedrck47]

Bet it would have been a better view if you had to walk home.
You state " Bought this truck about three weeks ago and previous owner did not take care of it"

You spent a fortune in doing all the work to the front end and then take it on a "eight mile almost 6000 ft climb." And had problems but when you turned around it ran ok.

With all you spent on the front end which shows you plan on taking care of the expy you failed and was just as bad as the previous owner by not checking your fluid levels after you got the expy. Even if you weren't planning on changing the fluids you should have check them so you would have as least known if they were full or not.

I would have to agree with the comment by "thenaaks"

Hopefully a lesson learned or at least others will learn from your almost costly errors

 

[black 4x4]

Walking home? There is always neutral and coasting down hill. And AAA once you get down from the mountain.

By the way all the fluid levels should've been checked by my mechanic since I also did brakes, oil change and coolant flush. And I picked the truck up and hit the road with it. I guess he forgot to do that. And I'll mention that to him.

P.S. Please nobody start with the usual careless mechanic stuff because he's been taking care my cars for almost twenty years and I would trust him with everything he does.

 

[z168]

I can sympathize with black4x4. Unlike engine oil that can burn, transmission fluid we tend to neglect especially if you dont see any signs of leaks.

At the risk of stating the obvious, please check the tranny fluid the right way. unlike engine oil that is checked 5minutes after engine shut off, transmission fluid needs to be at operating temp with engine running when checked.

 

[Bowesmobile]

Just in case you didn't dodge that bullet...lol!

Trans rebuild

 

[stamp11127]

Bowesmobile you can't post a link to your project until you have the trans out and on the bench....

 

[black 4x4]

Just in case you didn't dodge that bullet...lol!

Trans rebuild

Yeeeeaaahhh...no I'm not doing that. Lol. Like I said before if it needs transmission it going to the glue factory. Lol.

 

[Bowesmobile]

Bowesmobile you can't post a link to your project until you have the trans out and on the bench....

Okay...sorry