When did they start putting 4L80-Es into trucks? I was wondernig what the earliest years is.

I've got a 92 K2500 and upon crawling underneath I noticed it is not a 700R4 because of the pan, but the trans does have lockup and overdrive. So if it is not a 4L80E what is it?

 

looks like 4L80E was first in 91


4L60/700r4 is 16 bolt pan

see if its 16 bolt

it should be

if not then its not a 4l60/700r4

4l80E



good luck

 

The 4L80E replaced the TH400 in 1991 however the early models had problems. GM had a secret replacement program so if you took your truck back to the dealer for a transmission complaint, the dealer just replaced the tranny. My 91 454SS has a 1993 tranny in it because it was replaced under this warranty.

Not all trucks got the 4L80E. Some got the 4L60E. Just depends on the model and what options were on it. With the K2500, there's a good chance it's a 4L80E.

 

Sure enough, it is a 4L80-E. 17 bolts and about 11 wires coming out of it. Interesting. Does that mean that they were still putting in TH-400s in heavy duty trucks during the 80s? Because the 4L80 wasn't around then.

Stephen - do you know what the nature of these problems was?

 

my 88 suburban that i use for towing has a TH400 trans in it, and I love the fact that it shouldn't burn out on my like 4L60E's and towing do.

 

Yes, the t400 still came in most 3/4 and all 1 ton trucks till the 4l80e came out.
If you spend the money for a good 700r/4l60 and gear the vehicle properly, you can tow in OD with a 4l60 just fine. I tow a 28' inclosed trailer with the race car, 4wheeler, tools, etc @ 70-80mph no problems with mine. '95 burban 4wd (not quite factory) - 305 TPI vortec, 700r4, 4.10 gear 12-bolt

 

The 1990 454SS has a Mark IV BBC and TH400 with 3.73 gears. In 1991, GM changed to the Gen V BBC and changed the TH400 to the 4L80E at the same time. The 1991 454SS has the Gen V engine, 4L80E and 4.10 gears. Personally I'd rather have the 3.73 gears in my diff but with the 4.10's I have a 10,000 pound towing capacity with a 1/2 ton short box truck Too bad there's only a 1000 pound tongue weight. With a 6 and 4 drop kit, it doesn't give me enough suspension travel.

Not sure what the recall exactly was. Some electrical faults I think. The valve body is all electronic.