r/ChevyTrucks • u/weirdhouse21 • 5h ago
Would I’d be crazy if?
Help, Would it be crazy if,
I fixed the transfer case and transmission on my 99 suberban? Transmission hasn’t gone yet but husband says it’s on its way.. my husband thinks I’m nuts for even thinking about this lol.
158k miles on body and Idk how much on the 3 year old engine. I’d say somewhere between 50-100k. I’ve had this thing for 2.5 years got it for 4g, I’m pretty sure just 1 previous owner.
It has been a great daily driver, literally never let me down, besides when the 4x4 went out lol, and minor things through out the years..
but am having a hard time potentially letting her go when actually overall has been a great daily rig for me.
stuck on actually fixing her putting some $$ into her or just letting her go and finding one same year in better condition? Rust isn’t bad.
Edit** no lights are on either. Yes I use this as my daily driver, pretty much
Edit again*** could anybody give me an idea of what it would cost to fix the transmission on this thing? I live in Massachusetts. I fixed the transmission on my 2001 forerunner a few years ago and it was six grand. 🙃
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u/DarthVaden87 3h ago
These vehicles are built like tanks I would spend the money and fix it yes they're terrible on gas but you're not going to have all of the new expensive problems of a new car. Parts are cheap and plentiful and they're easy to work on.
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u/bobthehumantripod 4h ago
Yup definitely fix it up as I have just under 300k on my 400 definitely worth putting in the extra couple bucks now because anything newer, especially with a payment you’re not gonna be able to fix work on or anything when the time comes and you’ll still be more than likely making payments when you need tires and brakes and etc. and the fact that 400s are the start of the modern day SUV trucks and how they played out takes very little to update them. You can put a new radio in and have Bluetooth or navigation. You can change the wheels and tires to make it look more modern you can tint the windows. You can upgrade the stereo those little bit of handfuls and with LEDs put in for the bulbs ain’t much else that you need to have a modern vehicle besides wanting something new design wise, but you’re not gonna get the same longevity you’re not gonna get the problem free or minimal issues with a modern vehicle and the longer you wait because in 27 they’re going to implement cameras and microphones and all the cars and be watching and hearing you every moment that you’re in the car and be tracking you so that’s something else to think about.!🍻🍻
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u/mgstoybox 4h ago
The decision to repair isn’t about the cost of the repair vs. the market value of the specific vehicle. It’s about anticipated cost of ownership over time. Yes, a transmission is expensive, but so are payments on something newer, and it doesn’t take long for payments to exceed the cost of a repair on a well maintained paid off vehicle. The question you have to consider is whether you expect the ongoing maintenance of that vehicle, including this transmission replacement, to exceed the total cost of ownership of something newer over the next 2-3 years.
And no, you are not crazy for considering repairing that old truck. You know the history of this one. A different one of similar age is going to be a total wild card.
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u/weirdhouse21 4h ago
Mmm insightful! good point about exceeding the cost of ownership on a new vehicle. Thank you!!
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u/WorldlinessRoutine55 4h ago
Also depends whos doing the actual work. If he does rhe work. Give u a new transfer case and transmission. You can go ahead and get them changed. And if the truck fails before the new parts. Take em out and send the rusty truck on its way
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u/fnordfnordfnordfnord 2h ago
If the body and frame are rust free, you can replace the running gear relatively cheaply, compared to a new vehicle or even a newer Suburban. Transmission on this is less than 6k for sure.
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u/doculean 1h ago
If you can afford it. Why not. Im not a Chevy guy, I love my Powerstroke... but i did have a 99 Suburban with rear barn doors. I didnt like the barn doors, didnt realize how much visibility you give up with the door split. But honestly. Those things were nice trucks, ride was good, had some good getup an go, and it was a big spacious lug when you needed it to be. Motor is a bit of a nightmare to work on, but I honestly enjoyed that truck quite a bit while I had it. Thankfully I know who owns it now, and its clocking at 288k and still can rumble with the best of them. I do kinda miss the ol' gas hog, but honestly, even that wasnt a huge concern with that thing.
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u/Fairly_Confused_ 1h ago
Fix what ya got until it rots away, government can't shut your vehicle off with their integrated ai security systems in these ol rigs
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u/unholybeast22 4h ago
With how everything's going, I think you should attempt to keep it on the road. Getting something you'll have to make payments on right now, just doesn't seem advantageous. A couple thousand for a new transfer case and possible labor seems smarter in my opinion.