re: So I believe my old truck died today: updated

good deal or not, if there is sentimental value attached to the vehicle, I'd do what I can to get it back in decent shape no matter how long it takes.

once you get rid of it, you can't get it back...so consider carefully before you do that.

A new radiator is prolly $100 and easy to replace even if you’re not handy. I’d drop a new radiator in and see what happens.

I love my '90 Sierra which is basically the same truck as yours. I'm the second owner, I've had it for eleven years, and I plan to keep it 'til the day I die.

The radiator is cheap and easy to swap (I've done mine.) Try that first and see if that solves your tranny issue. As someone above stated, check the transmission fluid and if it looks burnt (it'll be brown if it is) change it and the filter.

As far as getting a tranny from Pull-A-Part, unless you see that the donor is wrecked it is probably there because of a bad transmission. They're bullet-proof trucks with transmission being the weakest link/most expensive repair. As someone else said above, a good transmission rebuild can be had for $1500-$1800.

Good luck!


BTW Check GMT400.com and fullsizechevy.com for everything you could ever want to know about these trucks.

Also, just out of curiosity, is it a regular cab or extended cab? Short bed, Long bed, or Stepside?

One more thing, here's a pic of mine.
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Just get cost on fixing it and compare that with the cost of buying another truck that you'll probably like less.

You'll fix the truck.

Don’t freak out. The issues may not be as bad as you think. DO NOT go have the tranny rebuilt or swapped before you take time to research and diagnose the issue. Late 80’s early 90’s trucks started going more electronic with the shift controls, which rely on a series of sensors to tell the truck when to shift. Learn where the sensors are and check those first before you do something drastic. I have an older F-150 that had the same issue. Mech wanted to rebuilt the tranny, turned out it was a $12 speed sensor. An 89 chevy with 149K should not have mechanical tranny issues if it has not been abused. Do your homework, it will save you $$.

quote:

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Late 80’s early 90’s trucks started going more electronic with the shift controls, which rely on a series of sensors to tell the truck when to shift

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they went electronic in 92(4L60E) He has a 700R, not electronic.

You can replace a radiator and a transmission yourself.

Edit: My dad replaced a transmission in his old 70s Impala with one he found in a salvage yard, that came from an older GM. Got a good deal on it, and in his words the car ran "like a scalded ape" afterwards. So it's possible to improve a vehicle on the cheap.

I like how you replaced the side mirrors. The stock side mirrors on the early years of that body style were hideous. Looked like elephant ears.

I wasn’t aware that the transmission cools via the radiator in these trucks.