Welcome to the site!

If it was my truck and I planned on keeping it loonnnggg term, I'd replace the TC at the first sign of symptoms and do the fluid swap every 30k thereafter. Perhaps guru @NickTransmissions will chime-in with his recommendations.

 

Fwiw. I bought my like 8th or 9th GM truck in august, a 18 6 speed with 40k. I'll be replacing the torque converter by 55k miles

 

Pretty sure the biggest reason for the converter failures were because of the thermostat opening at such a high temp the diablew tune and my tweaks have made a huge difference as well as these come with grade braking or hill descent control which makes a huge difference even tho it’s a pia to turn off every time now have 70k on mine will prob upgrade stuff as I can but I don’t live in fear otherwise I’d watch these guys everyday

 

Pretty sure the biggest reason for the converter failures were because of the thermostat opening at such a high temp

very true about cnn...as far as the converter is concerned, trans temp is a factor but not the predomimant driver behind converter failures in those transmissions plus the 2013 and older 6L equipped vehicles had no TBV but still suffered TC failures at largely the same rates as post TBV vehicles.

the main drivers are as follows:

• Converter clutch design (.020" thick, woefully inadequate given the apply strategy)
• Valve body wear - TCC regulator valve
• Pump wear
• TECHM issues
• TBV (2015+)

 

Have the shop remove the trans pan to look at the fluid along with anything that may be at the bottom of the pan. If lots of black clutch material (trans or tcc) or other concerning matter, metal bits in the filter, etc - have them yank it for overhaul. If everything looks good, install an upgraded converter with a .050-.070 thick clutch (billet cover and flanged hub for HD/HP). New fluid and fast adapt relearn and it should be fine. Lastly, have them flip the pill or install a Superior Tech TBV delete kit.

 

Too long, did not complete

Why are you going to pay somebody twice to remove the gender confused shift box twice? Not to mention the truck being down twice

You'll be time and money ahead to just do it all at once

 

Think you were a little mixed up mr nick the 14 up did have the tbv I can take a pic of the one on mine if you’d like 😂 what brand of converter would you rec

 

Ah, you're correct-my bad. Folks have reported good luck with Florida Torque Converters. Yank and Circle D for HP/super serious duty though I imagine Fl TC can do the same for possibly a little less $$$

 

Cool I will give them a call have a great local shop that’s Ben great to deal with for 18 years will get them to do that 😎👍 it’s good I make spelling errors because I type to fast for my keyboard just ask sierra Harley 😂

 

Many thanks to all for the taking the time to reply! I had my eye on Florida TC's anyway, and so will be purchasing from them. I'll update when completed, hopefully in 2-3 weeks or so. Best wishes

 

Sorry for the delayed reply, life. Final outcome - at 79k miles, I had Cook's Transmission in Ocean Springs MS do the following: replace OEM TC with a reman'd Precision 4645 TC, replaced input shaft o-ring, hot flushed trans cooler & lines, installed new fluid & filter, reset shift adapts - all good.

After initially discussing with Cook's my concerns about replacing something that's not broken (in violation of my personal code - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"), they totally understood. They insisted on pulling then pan for a debris check and scanning for codes first, if all clear then they would proceed as agreed, if not, time for a phone to discuss where to from here. Most of their 5 lifts were full of trucks with failing TC's...

God was with me (as always), no debris or codes found. So the above was performed and turned out very well. $1,770 total.

Couple of notes: I found out afterwards the Precision TC Cook's put in was a different company that the Precision TC everyone is talking about here, so be careful of that, if it is a concern. Also, Cook's did not recommend billet, and I didn't want to argue with them, as they were probably my best shot at actually getting done what I wanted. I had visited a couple other shops, they were not tuned in to what I wanted to do, but Cook's did - and if you are on the MS Coast, I recommend giving them a call, I had an excellent experience, totally professional. So I went with their recommended TC.

With the Range AFM Disabler, the STL010 thermostat kit, all new fluid & filter, etc., the trans feels like brand new, amazing Also - I feel like I got just what I wanted and needed for this trans to preemptively address a likely TC failure, without being oversold. All this is THANKS to this forum and the great replies. ! am happy with the outcome and wish the best for you!

 

Thanks for coming back and posting the update.

 

I would install STL010 bypass and use HPTuner to remove TCC lockup in 1-4 gears and set 0 rpm slip in 5-6 gears. Plus, disable the engine DoD/AFM of course. Then just drive it.

 

After my friends Tahoe (+100k miles) grenaded over the summer, and my neighbors Sierra shuddering itself to pieces (46k), I bit the bullet (Billet?) this week and had a local old school trans shop swap in a Precision of New Hampton reman with billet cover and other bits with my standard fluid change, and coolant bypass @ 50k. Took me for right at $2k.

Trans runs ~30-35 degrees cooler in traffic, haven't driven it a ton yet but, happy so far. The piece of mind is worth the cost.

 

Yeah, I also got a Precision TC with billet case, installed a STL010 thermostat bypass, and used hptuners to take out TCC lockup in 1 through 4 and no slip in 5 and 6. I think this gives me the best chance for a reliable transmission. Keep on top of fluid and filter changes of course. I also have a magnefine to install inline with the cooler hose but waiting for warm weather to fit it.