94 Bravada..

Nothing special for oil change. The amount of oil left in the lines is negligable. Yes, that's the oil filter, right in front of the ABS module.

Oil cooler is there, so is a tranny cooler, but they're VERY basic units. Both are part of the radiator, and if you plan on doing much towing go ahead and put an aftermarket in and plumb it as a replacement for the OE unit.

Keep it waxed, keep up with the fluid changes and the truck should last a while. The engine is the SBC short 2 cylinders, that alone should speak to its longevity.

Thanks Mike. I've heard good things about the 4.3 Vortec. I forgot to add that I am capable of changing all the fluids myself, however I am unfamiliar with all of the "new electronic stuff" on this truck. The last car I seriously worked on was my '76 Dodge Aspen.

I read that the motor must be jacked up when removing the transmission pan, to avoid breaking the 2-3 shift selonoid? Is this true? If this is, then I am a little afraid of taking the truck anywhere but the dealer for the tranny service, since most places may not know that. If it isn't true, is it worth it for the "Aamco power flush"? Apparantly they flush your trans with new fluid, the replace all 12 quarts (they drain the T.C?). If the flush isn't worth it, and You don't have to fuss with raising the motor, is there anything special I should know about changing my own trans fluid?

How do I change transfer case fluid?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks again.

Carl

I guess jacking the engine up would be one way. The problem lies in clearance for the pan between the Y-pipe for the exhaust and the rear tranny mount. One thing you can do is remove the crossmember that tranny mount is on, with the tail of the tranny supported, and you can get the pan out. The flushes replace all the fluid, that's fine and dandy but you still have a dirty filter to contend with, and the pan has to come out to replace it.

T-case fluid should be an easy drain and fill, there are 2 plugs on the back of the case, pull the top, then the bottom, re-install the bottom and fill it up, unless you want to pour some clean fluid through it to flush before re-installing the bottom plug.

Don't be afraid to ask any other questions, I recently traded up from a 94 Jimmy (your truck without AWD and leather) to a 2000 S-10 ZR2. My old truck had that digital dash, if it hasn't been fixed yet, look forward to it, though it's not terribly expensive...

Thanks for the help, and I do have some more questions.

What weight oil? Will any additives help ("Engine restorer lubricant"[silver can, 6cyl formula]) - This brought the oil pressure up in my Celica and stopped the slight oil burning problem I was having. I am guessing I shoud be using a high-detergent oil (Castrol OK?). Should I put a little ATF in it for a day or so to clean out the motor? Can I flush the trans by myself?

Thanks again for all the help.

Carl

I've NEVER heard of using transmission fluid to flush. I use GUNK to flush my engine... I run DINO....

~KJ~

lubricant"[silver

It used to be "common practice" for old time mechanics to pour a quart of auto tranny fluid in the crankcase and run the engine

10-15 minutes before an oil change. The tranny fluid was supposed to thin out the sludge in the pan and clean out the oil galleries to get the gunk flowing and out the drain hole. Don't know if it worked, I never tried it. Sounds like a good way to spin a main or rod bearing to me. JR