Transmission Options

[olds307 and 403]

You got a good one. Congratulations (sincerely). My brother should have gotten that kind of service. His truck is super clean, super well cared for and has only towed a few cars. 99.99% of his miles are just back and forth to work. It didn't suffer any abuse.

I can only speak from my experience. Even for a stock, 285 HP application, it's marginal.

When you compare the output shafts of the 4L60E and 4L80E, you are left to wonder why a 4L60E was ever put in a truck. It's the decendant of a malaise era car transmission.

Don't forget the 3/4 clutch pack towing in OD. You can't stuff enough clutches and steels to survive a heavy foot towing. I killed a 3/4 clutch pack towing an empty liquid fertilizer field cart. I don't think they would weigh much more than 1000 pounds. A 3500 pound car is definitely more forgiving than a 6000 pound truck pulling a load behind it. Pull the pan and decide from there.

 

[Rgpmalibu]

One last question. Where is the best place to go to pick up a 4l80? I'm assuming that places like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace will be flooded with them, but that always seems like a risky proposition. I don't necessarily want one from Summit or Jegs either, they're pretty pricey. I'm not a cheap skate, but I'm also on a budget. I don't mind spending money, but I don't want to spend more than I need to for what I'm using it for. Again, I'm not drag racing, but I do hit WOT a fair amount. Transmission shop? Junk yard? Internet source?

You guys, I really appreciate your input. I would be at sea without your advice.

 

[olds307 and 403]

A junkyard has at least a guarantee that it won't be complete junk. Used from Joe Blow gives you zero recourse it is screwed junk. Unless the price is considerably cheaper why take a risk?

 

[scoti]

Where I am in Texas, core value is around $400. So my search would start from there & go where it goes. If you can find one for cheap & have it built by a known/trusted source, you can shave $$ off the price tag. Buying one from any source used & hoping it works as expected is always a gamble but it can/does/has paid-off for many.

I would err to the side of caution unless you don't mind swapping it in/out more than once. Spend once; cry once.

 

[ck80]

Look at 2500/3500 series vans. Some came with a 4l80e, some 4l60. But an old vandura/savanna van you could try driving is still pretty cheap. Just look at the pan on the trans to ID.

They're so heavy that between scrap weight, rims/tires that fit 3/4-1 ton trucks, and selling out the engine gets you most of your purchase price back and a nearly free trans.

 

[scoti]

Look at 2500/3500 series vans. Some came with a 4l80e, some 4l60. But an old vandura/savanna van you could try driving is still pretty cheap. Just look at the pan on the trans to ID.

They're so heavy that between scrap weight, rims/tires that fit 3/4-1 ton trucks, and selling out the engine gets you most of your purchase price back and a nearly free trans.

In my area, they still don't come cheap. Maybe $1800 low end w/bald tires & worn-out but running. It's hard to find an 8-lug commercial van not beat up. One of the businesses in my complex had one for sale a couple years ago. It was a '01 L31/4l80e according to the VIN but didn't run. They wanted $2k. It was clean enough & used to transport medical equipment so not really a hard life. But not running & zero service records to possibly help ID what the issue was or how often it had any service. I played the waiting game after offering what was effectively core prices for the costs motor/trans would be. They wound up having a management change & the new blood sent it up to the near-by Pep Boys.... $2500 later it was good to go (fuel pump, tires, inspection 😵 ).

I'm on the watch for one every week on C-list. Hoping to find one w/a 6.0/4l80e combo.

 

[64nailhead]

Van's with a 4.8/4L80 are much more prelevant in this area. Very difficult to locate a 2wd 6.0/4L80 combo locally. But $1800........phew, that sucks unless it is a 6.0.

I just picked up a Gen 4.8 for nothing in need of a lifter, and a van with Gen3 4.8/4l80 for $600 that runs and drives normally, other than the frame that's rotted in half.

 

[Wraith]

Hmmm, making think about taking the boss up on the 4.8/4l60 2500 van we have that he wants $800 for.

 

[64nailhead]

Hmmm, making think about taking the boss up on the 4.8/4l60 2500 van we have that he wants $800 for.

A 3/4 ton van with a 4L60 is rare around here.

 

[scoti]

Van's with a 4.8/4L80 are much more relevant in this area. Very difficult to locate a 2wd 6.0/4L80 combo locally. But $1800........phew, that sucks unless it is a 6.0.

I just picked up a Gen 4.8 for nothing in need of a lifter, and a van with Gen3 4.8/4l80 for $600 that runs and drives normally, other than the frame that's rotted in half.

Yepper.... We don't have the rust issues so those work trucks are used longer & harder. By the time they turn them loose, you gotta look daily otherwise the better priced ones go quik.