- Both are overhaul kits: gaskets, O-rings, seals and sealing rings to reseal the transmission during a rebuild. They don't include frictions, steels or bands.
- TSS Rojo (red) is the economy line: the essential seals to assemble the transmission and restore pressure, at a lower cost.
- TSS Dorado (gold) is the premium, heavy duty (H-D) line: more heat resistance and durability, for heavy work and intensive use. Some come with pistons.
- A Dorado usually costs between one and a half and three times as much as the Rojo for the same transmission, and it's available for more transmissions.
- Choose by how the vehicle is used and what you're repairing, and confirm your transmission code before ordering.
If you're rebuilding an automatic transmission with TSS parts, one of the first choices is the overhaul kit: many transmissions have two versions, the TSS Rojo and the TSS Dorado. In this article we'll explain what an overhaul kit includes, how the two differ, which one suits your vehicle's use and which transmissions have each one.
What is a transmission overhaul kit?
It's the kit with the sealing parts that get replaced when an automatic transmission is taken apart and rebuilt: gaskets, O-rings, seals and sealing rings. When the transmission goes back together, these parts restore internal hydraulic pressure and stop leaks, which is why they're all replaced in a rebuild.
What they don't include: friction plates, steel plates or bands, which are bought separately depending on each transmission's wear. Pistons only come in some Dorado kits, the ones with "con pistones" (with pistons) in the name.
TSS Rojo: the economy line
The TSS Rojo overhaul kit has the essential seals to assemble the transmission and restore pressure, at a lower cost. Transmisiones Veinte 07, TSS's distributor in Mexico, describes it as the most affordable version: a functional replacement that meets basic sealing needs and keeps the transmission working without an excessive investment.
To keep the cost down, some Rojo kits leave out parts that are often reused. The 09G kit, for example, doesn't include the pump gasket, for when the pump is in good shape. Check each product's listing to see what's included.
TSS Dorado: the premium line (heavy duty)
The TSS Dorado overhaul kit is the heavy duty line, listed in the catalog as "H-D". According to the product listing at Transmisiones Veinte 07, its gaskets have more heat resistance and durability than a standard kit, with sealing designed for high performance and heavy work: vehicles in intensive use or modified ones, and complete rebuilds.
Many Dorado kits come in two versions: "sin pistones" (without pistons), for when the clutch pistons are in good shape, and "con pistones" (with pistons), which includes them so you don't have to buy them separately. And some transmissions, such as the 4L60E, 4R70W and 5R55W, only have a Dorado kit in the TSS catalog.
Rojo vs Dorado: the differences
| Feature | TSS Rojo | TSS Dorado |
|---|---|---|
| Line | Economy | Premium (heavy duty or H-D) |
| What's included | The essential seals | The complete set of gaskets and seals for the rebuild |
| Pistons | Not included | Versions without and with pistons |
| Heat and durability | Standard | More heat resistance and durability, according to the product listing |
| Price | Lower | Usually between one and a half and three times the Rojo for the same transmission |
| Transmissions | Fewer | More; some only come in Dorado |
| Best for | Normal use, tight budget | Heavy work, intensive use and high performance |
Which one should you choose?
- The Rojo, if the vehicle sees normal use, the budget is tight and you're restoring pressure and fixing leaks on a transmission with no major damage.
- The Dorado, if it's a work truck or a vehicle in intensive use or modified, or if you want the most durability from a complete rebuild.
- A Dorado "con pistones", if the clutch pistons are damaged: it saves buying them separately.
- If your transmission only has one version, that's the one it takes: many transmissions only have a Dorado kit.
Either way, an overhaul kit won't fix a burned clutch or a worn valve body: replace whatever is damaged too. Our transmission guides explain what fails in each one: 4L60E, 4R70W, 5R55, 01M, 09G, 41TE and 62TE and Nissan CVT.
TSS Rojo and Dorado kits by transmission
These are some of the most common transmissions in Mexico and their TSS overhaul kits. If yours isn't here, look for it in the overhaul kit catalog.
| Transmission | TSS Rojo | TSS Dorado |
|---|---|---|
| 4L60E (Silverado, Tahoe and TrailBlazer) | — | 1993 to 2003 or 2004 and later |
| 4R70W and 4R75E (F-150 and Grand Marquis) | — | 1996 to 2003; 2004 and later, without piston or with piston |
| 5R55W and 5R55S (Explorer and Mustang) | — | Without pistons or with piston |
| 01M (A4 Jetta and New Beetle) | Rojo | Dorado |
| 09G (2.5 Jetta, Bora and Beetle) | Rojo, without pump gasket | Dorado |
| 6L80 (Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban) | Rojo | Without pistons or with pistons |
| 6R80 (2009 to 2017 F-150) | Rojo | 2008 to 2014 or 2014 and later |
| JF011E (2007 to 2012 Sentra, X-Trail and Altima 2.5) | Rojo | Dorado |
| JF015E (2013 to 2019 Sentra and Note) | Rojo | With pistons |
| RE4F03A and RL4F03A (Tsuru and 2001 to 2006 Sentra) | Rojo | Dorado or Farpak without pistons |
| JF414E or RE4F03C (the newest RE4F03 version) | Rojo | Dorado without pistons |
| A604 or 41TE (Voyager, PT Cruiser and 2.4 Journey) | Rojo | Dorado |
| 62TE (Town & Country and V6 Journey) | Rojo | Dorado |
| A518 (46RE: Ram and Durango V8) | Rojo | — |
| A500 (42RE and 44RE: Ram 3.9 and Grand Cherokee) | — | Dorado |
| 4F27E (2000 to 2011 Focus and 4-speed Mazda3) | Rojo | Dorado |
| FNR5 or FS5A-EL (Fusion 2.3 and 5-speed Mazda3, Mazda5 and Mazda6) | Rojo | H-D |
| AW81-40LE (2008 to 2018 Aveo in Mexico) | Rojo | Without pistons |
| ZF 4HP16 (Optra) | Rojo | Without pistons |
| 4T65-E (Venture and Uplander) | Rojo | H-D or with pistons |
The applications come from our guides by make; confirm your transmission's code and year before ordering, for example with the Transmisiones Veinte 07 identifier (in Spanish).
How to install it right
- Lubricate every O-ring, seal and ring with new ATF before installing it, so it doesn't pinch or cut on the way in.
- Clean the grooves thoroughly with dielectric solvent or compressed air.
- Don't force the seals: if you feel resistance, check the alignment.
- Don't use silicone or RTV on internal seals: the residue can block valve body passages.
These recommendations come from the Transmisiones Veinte 07 installation guide. Replacing an overhaul kit means taking the transmission apart and takes specialist knowledge, so leave it to an experienced shop.
What else gets replaced with the overhaul kit?
A rebuild almost always also replaces the filter, worn friction and steel plates, the bushings and, if they failed, the solenoids or valve body. The TSS catalog has filters, friction and steel plates, pistons, bushings and electrical parts for each transmission.
Where to buy TSS Rojo and Dorado kits
In the United States, Sun Transmissions sells mainly the Dorado kits. In Mexico, Transmisiones Veinte 07 carries the full TSS catalog, with both the Rojo and Dorado kits.
TSS is an aftermarket brand with OEM-comparable quality and quality control on every product. You can buy it from our authorized distributors: in the United States from Sun Transmissions, and in Mexico the full TSS catalog at Transmisiones Veinte 07.
Juego de Empaques TSS Dorado 4L60E 1993/03
Juego de Empaques TSS Rojo A604 41TE
Juego de Empaques TSS Dorado sin Piston 2004/UP 4R70W 4R75W
Juego de Empaques TSS Rojo Sin Pistones GM 6L80 2006-UP
Juego de Empaques TSS Dorado con Pistones 6L80 MYC
Juego de Empaques TSS Rojo VW095 VW096 01M
Juego de Empaques TSS Dorado 2007/UP 62TE
Juego de Empaques TSS Dorado Sin Pistones 2002/08 5R55W 5R55S