https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-level-527903/

 

From your pics it appears that if both dipsticks touch the stop that was installed in the trans, then they will both read the same. The top of the newer stick just will not insert fully into the tube. If the early stick doesn't reach the stop, then it makes a difference which one was used. If both hit the stop, then the stop was designed to result in a higher than stock fill level.

Looks like the tubes changed in 2000 for the LS motors. Then 2001 up are another part # again. The LS tube was obviously meant to be used with the LS stick. Looks like using the early stick with the LS tube will give you a higher fill level though.

 

Randy I'm not confused. The dip stick you ordered is build for the dip stick tube that comes in the pre 97 trucks. I promise you it's different. The tube for a 2000+ body style truck is different than that from a 1995 truck. It's not because of differences in the transmission which are very small, but because of differences in the trucks body and the LS engine vs the small block or big block that it would have had to snake around in the older trucks.

My point is exactly what was mentioned above. The fill marks are the exact same distance from the tip of the different dip sticks you have. When used with the proper tube they should both stick into the trans the same exact amount. If both hit the 'stop' that's below where the dip stick enters the trans then they both function exactly the same. Does that make sense?

 

You promising me the tubes are different compared to the Chevy Parts guy telling me the tubes are the same part number speaks for itself. Why don't you just call your local Chevy dealer and find out for yourself about the tubes. I talked extensively with my parts guy to make sure I had the right tube when I ordered the stick. Also, the witness mark I made on my old stick lines up perfectly with the correct fill level on the correct stick which would prove the tubes are the same just like the Chevy dealer's telling me.

Since you seem to have overlooked my other question, where did you get your tube from...did Chuck sell it to you?

 

Ok Rob, I just got off the phone with Chevy again: dipstick tube part #: 15729870 is the same for 4L80e transmissions made from 1991 to 2000 AND 1997 to 2000 (Which is what I have now and what Chuck sold me the first time)

I'm really not sure what else you think my problem could have been, but I'm sure you saw the thread I posted in the GM transmission section where Jake informed me the ONLY thing that would cause my condition was either a pickup issue or it being low on fluid. Since I eliminated the pick up issue when my tech dropped the pan a couple of weekends ago, then made the witness mark on the old stick to show the correct fluid fill level, confirmed twice from my Chevy dealer that I have the correct tube, examined and photographed the sticks side by side to prove the proper fill level. All that being said, I think anyone can conclude that the transmission was indeed low on fluid due to an improper dipstick and consequently glazed the second gear clutches...just like Jake said and most of the other people who responded to that post said.

Call me crazy, but when Chuck from FLT told me he was going to change my transmission from a post 1997 4L80e to a PRE 1997 80e, he should have also informed me I needed a different dipstick to fill the trans to the proper level since HE is the expert...of course this is just my opinion and I'm sure others would say it's 100% my responsibility to automatically know all these things since I am the consumer and not the expert. For those of you who think I'm responsible, then ask yourself why FLT would insist on supplying me with the proper dipstick TUBE for my first 80e build and then fail to tell me about the different STICK on their second build.

Also just an FYI, I even paid to have my converter sent back to PI so they could cut and clean it AND flushed the cooler thoroughly AND installed all new cooler lines as well.

 

My FLT 80E came with a similar tube to the Rock Auto listed 2000 tube. Grabbed these pics and part numbers off of Rock Auto.

90s tube # 15729870



2000 2500 tube (listed for later years also in some online searches) # 25789571 edit: turns out this is actually the 60E tube...can't trust Rock Auto



2001 and up 2500 tube # 15019779 according to Rock Auto

 

I used the tube from the middle picture on both my 2005 80e which I cooked and the pre 97 that I received from Chuck.

With the tube from its corresponding vintage both dip sticks will hit the limiting plate. At that point the full marks are exactly at the same location in relation to the valve body

What we have found over time here is that the correct combo of dip stick and tube will slightly under fill the trans for our needs. Your combo of an older dip sick in a newer tube will fix that factory under fill problem as you show in your pics of your own fill mark. In a stock truck that hits no where near the g forces that yours does, their fill marks are ok. But we create some tricky situations. Fluid sloshing backward is a huge problem for us. A deep pan fixes that but as you know randy being awd there are a handful of reasons that doesn't work for us.

I'm not trying to argue with you or proove you wrong in any way. I know how frustrating all of this is. I've been there... Please don't take any of it that way.

 

No offense taken, I'm just sayin when I found out the correct fill level for performance trucks like ours was to pull the pan and manually mark the stick 1/4" above the mating surface of the pan to the trans, that was the mark seen in the closeup pic I took which corresponds exactly with the fill mark on the new dipstick. Since the correct stick I got later is shorter, I doubt it will hit the limiting plate as the original one did. Either way, If I use the tube I currently have with the new dipstick (whether or not it is indeed the correct tube), the factory fill mark is where I should fill to.

And yeah, I know all about the deep pan issues because I have a brand new $200.00 B&M still sitting in the box!

Anyway, I dropped my truck off at my tech's shop this morning and asked him to take some pics of the intermediates that come out of the FLT, so I'll post them up once I get them and that should tell the tale!

Also, I'm still smiling from the "sweet spot" tune Zippy sent me over late last night. I was making a log for him, came to a red light and nailed it - BOILED all 4's and got totally sideways!! This is the very first time that truck has EVER done that and wow was it freekin awesome, lol!

Thanks for those pics too Grant!

 

Glad you are having some fun!

Interestingly, the 25789571 is also listed as the stock tube for my 2004 1500 AV and the 1500 Silverado with a 60E.

 

Need to correct one thing with the tube info here, #15729870 is not the tube I sold you Randy. If you look at your original invoice you'll see the tube I sold you was #15832205 which is the correct tube for the later body style LS trucks. Actually that's the only tube I've ever sold to guys doing the 80 swap on the newer body style LS trucks. The dipsticks are the same as most people know, thus the reason I never sold them.