dual terminal batteries in an 06 LBZ, and other quick maint. questions

[GM Guy]

Hey everyone,

a guy I am working for this fall has an 06 LBZ CCSB with the Ally and 4wd. it is cranking slow, and has the original AC delcos, so I assume the right one is going bad. a new pair will be installed, and the one good one rotated to another truck.

first off, it is a farm truck that will occasionally jump equipment, so can dual post batteries be installed for ease of jumping? it looked tight to me, that is why I ask.

second, interstates and delco are commonplace around here, and given the good luck with delcos, I feel we will be going with them. what model is recommended for the LBZ's needs and available space?

any input appreciated, thanks!

PS, I got to take it home one night. best automatic I have ever driven, but if I go d-max I will still want a ZF6. that thing pulled like a freight train from 30-70, and I never went past 2 grand! :O

I scolded him though, he hasnt changed the ally spin on in 50K miles, its got 100K total. a genuine allison filter is recommended and readily available at any good allison authorized shop, correct? I assume dexeron III is factory fill, (which this likely still has) and a good top-off, right?

finally, what does the push button transfer case take for fluid, and what did the rear end come with? will the t-case fluid work in a 98 K2500(HD) that my folks have that also has push button t-case? (If we buy a case of amsoil to spread costs)

sorry for all the questions guys, just some quick maintenance on the LBZ before I leave back for KS!

thanks!

 

[83GMCK2500]

Allison filter is all I used...

Dexron VI is factory fill, I'd top off with that or do a flush fill with Allison Transynd or Amsoil Torque-Drive.

Transfer case is updated from the earlier electric shift ones. Ditch the factory fill (ATF, or close to it.) and run a fully synthetic 5W-30 (I used Amsoil, overfilled by 1qt through the VSS. Why? Read: http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2007_03.pdf

 

[tanman_2006]

I have a manual shift tcase and used amsoil manual transmission fluid over filled by 1qt and used 140/75 (numbers might be off) severe gear front and rear. Haven't gotten a chance to flush the tranny but with 200k (as of 2mro evening after making the rounds) I swap the tranny filter when I do engine oil and add fully synthetic valvoline dex v iirc. Fluid is bright red and good even though I limp the tranny alot in stock hp.

As for the battery check and see what fits but I have a dual post up front and side only in the rear pass side

 

[btfarm]

It's pretty easy to jump from a side post on an LBZ without needing the dual post setup. There have been problems reported with AC Delco pass side batteries wanting to leak from higher underhood temps. For that reason I went with the dual Interstate Megatrons last winter.
ZF-6 is an OK trans but keeping a clutch between it and the DMax is another story. Nephew (dieselkidd04) is more than ready to get rid of his ZF setup and put an Allison in.
Devin's correct with the factory Dex VI but the right stuff is TES295 rated (Transynd) synthetic.
A retired Allison engineer has confirmed that it was GM's idea to use Dex VI and not a good one.
I did the 3 qt M1 5w30 overfill on my transfer case per the article Devin posted a link to that MikeL originally posted several years ago.

Differentials front and rear 75W90 (75w140 will work) synthetic only. 4 qts rear, 2 qts front.

 

[Ed HD]

I actually run Torque-Drive ATF in the T-Case on our 05 LLY, no issues after 50k. Not saying you have to, but IIRC that's what Amsoil recommends on thier site.

Always had good luck with Interstates, have them on our 05 as well. I forget whether we have dual or single posts, but dual posts in the front wouldn't be too hard. Not really necessary, but bad either. However, then you're taking from one battery. The recommended way to jump it/with it is to use the junction block right by the alternator and the alternator bracket as ground. That way you're taking from the whole system equally.

 

[tanman_2006]

The junction block sucks and I have to jump off a battery anyways. A dual post up front is the easiest way I have found. I jumped something a few times a week with 0 cables with big clamps, they can't grip the stud on the junction and the tiny side posts suck to get on.

 

[LtEng5]

you can go UP one size on the CCA of the batts and they will still fit in the boxes. I have the 1150 CCA 7yr NAPA batts and they fit fine. top posts will fit in both locations with out a problem. I keep the plastic caps on the posts in case of a bump or tool happens to land on them.