Are you towing or have larger than stock tires? Sounds like you're describing the locking and unlocking of the converter. You need to top off the transmission fluid with the parking brake set and the gear selector in drive. Only add a little at a time until the level is right.

 

I tow a single axel 10 foot trailer (off the factor hitch under the bumper) about once every two months for a day. I have the h3 rims on street tires that are the same outside diameter as the stock z85 ones. I'm also running the Monroe air shocks in the rear with a leaf removed. Planing on putting the leaf back in and adding 2/3" blocks. Also have zq8 coils up front.
As far as adding fluid, do I need it running while I add or is that for when its stopped?

 

Add fluid while its warm, running, parking brake set, and in drive.

 

+1 on the converter locking/unlocking.

Post back here when you add fluid, I'd think that you're a little low.

 

And don't tow in OD (4th gear or with the gear selector in D).

 

Yea haven't been home or drove the truck since OP. Will post results once I get more fluid in it. Thanks again for the tips.

 

When you check the fluid level make sure the truck is on level ground, engine running, fluid is warm/hot, and the transmission is in park.

 

When you check the fluid level make sure the truck is on level ground, engine running, fluid is warm/hot, and the transmission is in park.

Oops

 

Yeah you should check it warm and in park, but go through reverse, neutral and drive with a few second pause in between just before checking the level.

 

Edit: Added a half quart and the problem went away so far. Let it sit a few hours and then checked it cold and hot again and added a quarter quart. Drove it and for the first little bit the problem was gone. On the way back home from being out awhile, it did it again. Going to add more fluid in the morning. Will be driving 200 miles (all highway) tomorrow. So I should know for sure if its fixed by tomorrow night. Never can seem to get a good hot read on the dip stick. Cold it showed about half full.

 

The leak at the front of the transmission, is it forming drops? Or is it just a damp spot?

The pump may be failing, I didn't have the up/down on the RPM's when mine went. It started as a damp spot just in front of the transmission pan, then about two weeks later it was a 6" puddle on the ground.

Until I found the puddle, I was thinking that it was a rear main leak BTW.

 

Well the whole pan and crossmember are covered with dirt and fluid. Need to clean it all off and check it after a drive to see where it's coming from for sure. Looks to be the front of the transmission.

 

After I added the fluid, the problem stopped. Now it seems its slowing coming back. Going to get under there and hit it with engine degreaser and hose it off, let it dry and run it for a while. See where the leak is coming from.

 

Check to make sure your transmission pan bolts are torqued to 100inlbs (8ft-lbs). Mine loosen up every oil change, I know that I need to hit them. They loosen up on mom's truck, too. Both are 04 with 4L60E transmission.