Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

[Nandy]

The Blazer transmission broke and looks like the cheapest shop will cost me 1k. I can get a transmission from pull a part for under 100 and I can even pay for their warranty and put it in myself with money to spare. I understand the risks of buying a transmission without knowing the history and I am taking the chance... However, I know there are very similar transmission being used in these blazers. How can I positively id the transmission? Do they have the 4L60E stamped somewhere? I should be going to Florida next year and if this transmission last me that long I can leave the one I will take out with my uncle and he will rebuild it for me just for the cost of the parts.
So anyway, how can I be 100 percent sure I am getting the right transmission? It will be great if it can be id while in the car. I hate to go thru the trouble of taking it out and then is the wrong transmission.

Thanks!

 

[scca vette]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

You are correct that the 4L60E was used in about all rear wheel drive vehicles in the mid-late 90's however there is many differences depending what vehicle it was in and what gear ratio the vehicle had. For example a 99 2WD blazer and 4WD blazer both used the same basic transmission however the output shaft and tail housing were different. Even if you find one out of a 99 4wd blazer you will need to make sure it has the same option code for the diff gear ratio as yours or the speedo will be way off and it will not shift correct.

If you find one you can take it to a trans shop and have the parts removed from yours to make about any of them work however if you do this you are half way to paying to rebuild one.

Hope this helps!

 

[Nandy]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

I appreciate your help but you left me exactly where I was. That is the reason why I asked, how do I tell I have the same transmisson.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

I don't know how you would tell other than looking at them. My local salvage yard has the ability to match things up pretty well. They inventory and document the vehicles they bring in pretty well. So they might be pretty sure.
That said, in the glovebox of your vehicle (and pretty much all GMs) is a sticker with a bunch of three digit alpha-numeric codes. The "G"s are axle ratios, "M" is the transmission, and "Z" are suspensions. GU6 is a 3.42 ratio, GT4 is a 3.73, GT5 is 4.10, G80 is a locking rear differential.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

http://www.goodwrench.com/_res/pdf/TransmissionPdf/Transmission Identification.pdf

Thats a PDF from Gm. It has the pan shape. The 60e is a small pic but you'll notice it by small indent in the bolt pattern.

Match up the transmission pan shape. This will tell you if you have a 4L60E
I'm assuming the shape of the pan will be the same, They redesigned that transmission in 98. As far as I know, they made the transmission a 3 Piece transmission instead of a 2 piece.

IF you are moderately mechanically inclined. You may want to consider rebuilding the transmission.
I have a 4l60e in my 95 Chev pickup.

I pulled it out and rebuild the transmission myself.
Total cost in parts and fluids was right about 500. That was 4 years ago. Still running strong.
Here's some pics of the damage to mine when I rebuilt it.
http://gallery.computervitals.com/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Transmission/

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Wow, when it rains it pours huh?!!!

Most salvage yards use what's called a Hollander Interchange
Manual to tell what interchanges from year to year, vehicle to
vehicle, etc.

Here some info that may help. But it won't tell you what interchanges
from different years. You need a good salvage yard for that. Maybe
not "pick a part".

 

[Nandy]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Wow, when it rains it pours huh?!!!

Tell me about it. Last year they both her maxima and the blazer broke. Got rid of the maxima in exchange of a clutch work on the Spyder then fixed the Blazer. I did not check the transmission fluid (was 3 bottles low) and 3 weeks after fixing he motor the transmission fails then the Spyder breaks the timing belt... Im trying to get someone to just fix the clutches in the blazer that I probably burned but everyone is complete overhaul or nothing... I have spend more time under cars this year that in the water boating.... Sucks big time...

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Im trying to get someone to just fix the clutches in the blazer that I probably burned but everyone is complete overhaul or nothing...

In a past life I rebuilt transmissions. It is "all or nothing", theirs no
other way.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

I actually rebuilt my transmission twice in my truck.

The 1st time was just clutches and steels.
The gentleman that was helping me out told me I need to do bushings and replace the sun shield. I didn't want to do all that. I spend the 150 for the kit and went on my way.
Within a course of a year, I broke 2 flexplates. Then my cousin borrowed my truck and hauled a pallet of floor tile. The very next day, the transmission let go.

So this time I had hard parts.
Another kit, planitary gears, bushings and torque converter.. The guy I bought he kit from did the "I told you so" thing. I did it right the 2nd time and it's been wonderful since.
If you have a parts washer, clean workbench and tools, then you can rebuild the transmission yourself. I picked up a book from ATSG for the transmission. Even though there like 200 parts in the transmission, you'll find they are all in groups or units. Not as hard as I thought it would be.

Soon as I finish the boat, I have to do the transmission in our 2000 Impala. We lost over drive in the car.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Prior to this happening I had a bad sungear and I had a guy change just that. I think he charged me $500 because he had to take the transmission down. The other time one valve was setting a code so I just installed a kit that included that valve and other stuff in the valve body. Cost me $85. Now you understand why I believed someone could just change the clutch that I burnt. Anyway, if I get lucky and find a transmission I will eventually open this one and might even attempt to fix it or just let my uncle do it.
I got under the blazer last night and looked at the transmission on the passenger side and saw a 93 and some distance from it a 4L60E. I hope the 93 dont mean the year of the transmission cus that will tell me that someone made a change in the process or fixing my transmission....
I went to the junk yard today and I had no luck finding a transmission. Im going to put myself in the system so it will email me once they have a vehicle that might have the transmission. I got lucky with the Camry radiator and I have it swapped already waiting for tomorrow to put the coolant while it is cold.
Talked to my uncle and he told me that it is not that is too hard to rebuilt the transmission the issue are the specialized tools you have to buy. So I have decided to take the transmission down while waiting on the junk yard and I will check how much will I get charged by a pro if I just dropped the transmission in their shop. But I will wait for a transmission from the junk yard as it is just $80 for a transmission with "warranty" in it.
I am also interested to hear from those that are not in the transmission business and have successfully rebuilt one, specifically what tools did you have to buy and how much was it. I am also interested in hearing from the pros about the process. I can fix everything in a car for exception of the transmission so I think I have a good chance to get it right. If anyone can refer me to a website or where to get a good manual for this transmission that is great. I have research for manuals and have seen a few but there is no telling how good they are unless someone has tried them.
Thanks!

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

The only specialized tools I used were "snap ring" pliers. Bought a cheap set that has interchangeable ends. Basic tool set. Then a cheap bushing removal and install kit. The piers cost like 3 bucks. the bushing removal kit cost me 10

And then a must have. Get on ebay and buy a ATSG repair book.


There is a pretty tough spring deep in the transmission that is held in with a snap ring. You can take a bolt with some nuts and a couple pieces of wood to sqeeze the spring.
Or.. Since it was late. What I did was stand the transmission on my floor jack, put a 4 inch PVC pipe (had a 10 foot pvc pipe in the garage) propped the other end to the rafters of the garage and jacked up on the jack. Compressing the spring and got the snap ring out.

When you look at all the parts of the transmission, it seems like you got yourself into a mess. But its really not that hard. If you can work on a car. you can go this.. The most important thing is to be clean.

As for replacing parts.
Take a real good look at the sunshield. And I highly recommend you replace the bushings. The bushings are cheap. That was the failure point of my transmission the 1st time I did mine. I bought all my parts on Ebay for 1/2 the cost of any transmission shop on the web.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

I found an ATSG 1987 video which include disasembly, inspection, assembly and othere stuff for this transmission. Of course, it is the old trasnsmission. I remember taking a few electronic connectors when I was working in the valve body and this video shows only one. I saw the first 3 parts last night eventhought I could not listen to it cus I was in the room with the gf while she watched her movie Anyway, it did not really looked anything at all... It looks like that is going to be the way I will go unless they get a vehicle with a transmission on the junk yard. $80 for a working transmission is hard to beat. All I need is for them to bring a vehicle that has been crashed instead of those undamaged vehicles they sometimes bring... Make you wonder why a perfectly looking vehicle is in this yard..... I guess motor or transmission failure...

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

If you get a transmission, Make sure they pressure test the transmission and make sure you get a warranty.
Worst thing is when you get the used transmission in, it doesn't shift right, or slips. Things like that.. For 80 bucks,,, I'd question it.. Normally the transmission is about 300-700 used.

It's really not that hard to do. just time consuming. I went out and bought a small parts washer and mineral spirits, just to keep all hard parts clean. (one of the best investments I bought. )

Also another tip. Vaseline all rubber seals. It will make things go alot easier. On the input shaft. There are nylon seals. This is probably the most difficult part of the rebuilt. They are a stretchable/compressible seal. To get them on you need something like a dental pic to gently pull them.. I used an eyeglass screwdriver that I bent the tip with. Then to compress them down. I used the plastic from a soda bottle to wrap around the shaft with the nylon seals, and a hose clamp to gently squeeze them back to the size they need to be.

Then also, you need to soak the clutch disks for about 15-30 minutes before putting them in.. If not, you can tear them apart upon running the transmission.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Also another tip. Vaseline all rubber seals. It will make things go alot easier. On the input shaft.

If they are rubber, do NOT use Vaseline. Use ATF.

 

[CVX20SPRINT]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Look at the passenger side/rear of the trans just above the pan.There will be a series of numbers and letters stamped into the case.The numbers will be the day of the year it was built(3 digit julian date),3 letters-first 2 are model (these are the ones you have to match to get the identical trans)the third just stands for 4L60-E.there will be a 2 digit number that is the year of the trans.There could be more numbers that are a serial # as well.You just need the year and the 3 model letters to match it.Model is critical because just about every model is wired differently inside.

Julian date goes 001 is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 being 365.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

If they are rubber, do NOT use Vaseline. Use ATF.

Napa might have a tub of trans assembly lube or wherever you by the
overhaul kit will probably have it. It's the consistency of grease but
disolves in ATF. Really works great as a lube on seals and helps hold
thrust washers in place, etc. Has many other non-transmission uses
too!

Also replace your torque converter with a remanufactured one, NOT
used. The converter holds 2/3 of the fluid and their is no easy way
to clean it. If the trans "burned up" it will be full of all kinds of junk
that will immediately go into your newly rebuilt trans.

Also flush the trans cooler, same problem as above. Your parts
place will have an aerosal can of cleaning solvent enough for
one flush.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

If they are rubber, do NOT use Vaseline. Use ATF.

14 years of working on cars. Not a problem with any seals using Vaseline.
If you search around you find many people use Vaseline. Transgel usually comes in a tub. Most would only use it once.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

If you get a transmission, Make sure they pressure test the transmission and make sure you get a warranty.
Worst thing is when you get the used transmission in, it doesn't shift right, or slips. Things like that.. For 80 bucks,,, I'd question it.. Normally the transmission is about 300-700 used.

Also another tip. Vaseline all rubber seals. It will make things go alot easier.

I was also told to use vaseline from the company that sold me that improved valve kit.

As far as testing the transmission it is a pull a part junk yard, so they dont do anything. Their concept is that they buy the car for its value of steel. If the car is in good condition you can get more money from them. Then they sell the parts off the car (that is why sometimes they require a core charge, so they get their steel back) and whatever is left they crush. So you see, they dont loose money either way. They have a very ridiculous price, that is what I go there. Their 30 day warranty is that if the part dont work you return it and can get another from the yard, if they dont have it they give you a credit. So all trucks transmissions cost the same, all 4 cylinders motors cost the same, no mater the model or make. That is the other reason the parts are gone quick. I have a friend that works there but he cant really do much for me...

I looked for that number but the cross member for the transmission seems to be in the way.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

Transgel usually comes in a tub. Most would only use it once.

It is also has many non-transmission uses.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Identifying Blazer 99 4wd 4L60E transmission

I was also told to use vaseline from the company that sold me that improved valve kit.

As far as testing the transmission it is a pull a part junk yard, so they dont do anything.

Vaseline won't hurt anything. But if your going to shell out a couple
of hundred bucks for parts, whats a few more for the "best stuff" ?

An easy way to check a boneyard transmission. Pull the pan.
If it's clean the odds are in your favor.