PSA - Kings Cross Automotive, SW Washington state

[LB Bill]

I don't think I explained it well. There WAS NO clutch damage, and no real issue with the transmission when it went in. They incorrectly installed the ZipKit in a way that made it so multiple gears were trying to engage at the same time. The clutches tore themselves apart. They caused this damage. Then they wouldn't stand behind their improper work, and it cost me over $7,000. That's the whole reason for the PSA.

What happened is clear. And understandably frustrating and disappointing (and costly) to have that happen when just doing service and preventatives on your 60K mile truck. The court process is a pain but you should be good on that. The Manager as much as admitted that there didn't seem to be anything wrong with it, before they attempted the Zip Kit install. They'll likely just play it out until there's a judgement (or not), then try to negotiate a settlement. As @powershift said, collecting can be a challenge. Good luck!

And sorry about your Doggo! I know those are tough times...lost my guy two years ago. Best!

 

[itsaguything]

I'm hoping for a lot more than 200kmi. Currently just over 160k with original filter... have drained/refilled the pan twice which only replaces 3.5 quarts at a time. I need to do that again, and eventually replace the filter & convert to the metal pan...

Original filter…. Dirty filters restrict flow…
The replaced plastic pan works fine for me. I have heard of sealing issues with the metal pan.

I’ve had 2 pan changes to date on this one. I’m at 180,000 km.

Cheers.

 

[BigBriDogGuy]

Sorry for the horror story @greiswig this is one of my main fears about preventative maintenance. It's not only true with going to a shop, but also when it comes to attempting to do something myself. My concern is I'm going to make something terribly worse and enormously more costly than if I had left well enough alone. I've been enjoying a "sweet spot" with my LR4 ownership over the last several months where everything is working as designed. I've considered the ZipKit based upon recommendations here, but when I went into the Seattle Indy shop (Lamorna Garage) to get my cooling system and major fluids replaced a few months back, the owner said it was unnecessary if I wasn't having any problems. That seems to be his MO with most stuff, do what gets the job done and get you back on the road.

 

[gsxr]

I've considered the ZipKit based upon recommendations here, but when I went into the Seattle Indy shop ... the owner said it was unnecessary if I wasn't having any problems.

Agree 110% with this: ^^^

Valve body modifications / upgrades are not something you do "just because". If there's a specific shift problem that isn't cured with new fluid & filter, and the ZipKit claims to fix that specific problem, THEN give it a try.

 

[powershift]

When the TH400 was king I had one in my wagon as a kid and friends had the TH400 and TH350 in their cars and trucks. We would drop the trans pan and install shift kits called transgo in them and drive around to try and bark the 1-2 shift lol. The kits increased fluid flow and made it shift harder.

If the ZipKit did that I'd be all over it but the truth is nobody likes hard shifts so I'm pretty sure the ZipKit is not that. I had thought shifts need to be quick and hard for longevity. Maybe with harder shifts the 6speed in the LR4 would hit 300k mi since it shifts like buttah. Lots of slippage I think and that could be reflected as heat damage to the clutches.

 

[gsxr]

Frequent fluid changes are more likely to extend transmission / clutch lifespan, vs any shift program change that makes shift engagement firmer. Factory-stock "soft" shifts don't cause excess wear, but flaring due to abnormal slippage will cause rapid wear from the clutch pack.

 

[powershift]

Frequent fluid changes are more likely to extend transmission / clutch lifespan, vs any shift program change that makes shift engagement firmer. Factory-stock "soft" shifts don't cause excess wear, but flaring due to abnormal slippage will cause rapid wear from the clutch pack.

Transmissions and torque converters have come a long way since the TH400 lol. I'm planning for 40k mi change intervals. I had the first change done at 100k with filter and pan. No problems with it at all and I like to hold it WOT through the shifts.
Driving slow on back country roads I've noticed the lock/unlock of the torque converter (or maybe it's something else) can feel so significant that it seems like another gear, but its not a gear shift.

 

[itsaguything]

Agree 110% with this: ^^^

Valve body modifications / upgrades are not something you do "just because". If there's a specific shift problem that isn't cured with new fluid & filter, and the ZipKit claims to fix that specific problem, THEN give it a try.

Coincidentally, I took the XJR to a ZF service centre for it's first pan and fluid change, years ago (when Jaguar was adamant it was sealed for life) They refitted seals and valves on the valve body at that time.

 

[greiswig]

Agree 110% with this: ^^^

Valve body modifications / upgrades are not something you do "just because". If there's a specific shift problem that isn't cured with new fluid & filter, and the ZipKit claims to fix that specific problem, THEN give it a try.

Probably true. Other performance mods are also not necessary. However, I have reason to believe that the filter and fluid in the transmission were fine and operating correctly before, but with the ZipKit I am finding shifts to be firmer and smoother at the same time, and I believe my mileage may have gone up a bit in spite of being told by the transmission shop to drive it hard for the first 500 miles. Offroad, it feels more like I'm driving a manual in low range; less lurching over things, less having to feather the gas pedal. I like the effect.