I was thinking of doing a few minor upgrades to help extend the life of my trans if possible. I was thinking about a Corvette or Sonnax servo, a trans cooler, and possibly deeper pan and or better fluid/filter while I'm down there. Is there anything else I am forgetting that may prolong the trans life without making it too harsh to daily drive (I have 2 year old twins I drive around in it). Also suggestions as to which servo, cooler, fluid, etc. would be appreciated.

This is my first auto trans vehicle since 18 years old (95 TA T56 since 19) and I am not too familiar with autos. Thanks!

 

Short of doing a rebuild with stronger internals, I doubt you would go wrong with the Corvette servo, complete flush and refill with Dexron VI (it's a synthetic), and an auxilliary B&M cooler. I don't know about a benefit to a different filter or deeper pan (especially if you do off-roading). The 'Vette servo will give firmer shifts that you will notice.

 

Doesnt the corvette servo only improve the 1-2 shift?

 

Yes, the corvette servo improves the 1-2 shift, but there are other servos to do the 3-4 too. I haven't heard or seen anything about the 2-3 but it may exist. There is a how-to link on my cardomain page I did for servos.

The trans-cooler is cake. Just make sure your lines are properly shrouded and on the fittings TIGHTLY. It sure does suck cruising down the high way only to see a cloud of white smoke billowing off your rear and pulling over to find your trans empty and a trans cooler line popped off.

I'd say a deeper pan in addition to the aux cooler would be overkill for the type of use these get. You want them to still get warm enough to evaporate any moisture that's built up in them.

 

Lucas transmission fix added to the oil change makes a nice difference, Throws a way any slip and gets a nice firm shift

 

how about when you engage the tranny into Drive, is it harsh or smooth or ? thanks

 

I just had the front pump replaced on my tranny in my 95 Jimmy. I'm in the process of reinstalling everything. I plan to add a HD oil cooler, Dexron VI flud, and aftermarket pan with extra capacity.

 

Just curious what was the pump doing to make you change it? Noise in all gears except park and neutral is the torque converter.

 

i have a 1996 burban with a 4l60e that i just rebuilt. i put a deep pan and sump, corvette servo, and the biggest tranny cooler i could fit. i had a pickup with the same engine and tranny that i did all the same stuff to and that tranny lasted 310000 miles without any trouble and i did alot of off road play and trailer hauling but it also had upgraded internal in it but it still lasted a long time.

 

All I can say is a B&M Super Cooler is the way to go. Small compact & high tech. I installed the 7.5"x11.5" x 3/4". I burned the fluid so bad it was blowing out the overflow. So I flushed it twice & changed the filter then added the cooler 30,000 miles ago & the fluid still looks & smells like new. I have towed with it & done about 4000 miles of hard off roading this summer.
The key to saving any transmission is keeping it cool.