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New 4L85e tranny

16155 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Up Town Top Rankin'
Well my stock 4L60e finally gave up last week. Lost 3rd and 4th gear. I've been doing a lot of research and making a bunch of phone calls. I was thinking of going the level 5 4L65e from FLT but I'd have to wait 3-5 weeks and it would cost me $2,650 for the tranny + $300 for a core charge + shipping + a converter. I know that it is a good tranny and all, but I would have ended up spending close to $4,000 which I wanted to avoid. I ended up ordering a GM Performance built 4l85E tranny along with all the conversion parts directly from GM. I get a pretty good discount from GM so the whole deal ended up costing my around $2,800 for everything and then I'm haveing a shop build me a custom driveshaft with all 1350 components for another $300. So overall, I'll be in my tranny swap for $3,100 for EVERYTHING. :head: Some people don't like the 80's first gear but I think with my 4.10's and the fact this converter is rated to stall at 2300RPM (should be around 2800 with the radix) I should be ok and shouldn't see much if any drop in ET's. Anyways, got most of the parts in yesterday. Going to start the swap tomorrow morning. I'm going to modify my crossmember myself and will start on that once the tranny gets in. I have a list of all the GM parts needed for anyone that's interested. I'm also going to me taking some pictures for a how too. Here's some pictures....



Notice the "Off highway use only" sticker :uhoh:







6.0 flexplate


Crank spacer


Flywheel bolts


I've had this B&M tranny cooler for a year now. I'm finally going to get this installed as well





For anyone that's interested, the stock tranny mount can be used because they use the same part number (15767858)
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you have a 5.3 currently, right? i need a few little details about this swap...
Yep a 5.3/4L60e right now. I'll be posting all the part numbers needed for the swap tomorrow. :D The only thing that I have that can't be ordered from GM is the speartech wiring harness, my new driveshaft, and my self modified crossmember.
Hope you get some form of FI soon!!
Hope you get some form of FI soon!!
I already have a radix, that's what caused the 60 to fail :burnout:
Did you get the cladding on yet Chris? Sucks about the 60, especially since we were talking about how well it had held up :(
After reading everyones stories about how quickly theirs went out I'm just happy the 60e lasted as long as it did. To think I put almost 9k miles on mine with the blower and probably 300+ passes on it since my truck was new and it was completly stock. I think I just burnt the cluth packs out of it, so it probably wouldn't be too bad of a fix. Anyone want a 60e core or a stock driveshaft :hmm:

The cladding is wrapped up in blankets sitting in my storage. Too much stuff to do and not enough daylight to get it done. The dent in the door hasn't even been pulled yet :nono: I keep telling myself that it's taken me this long to get it done, whats another few weeks right :insane: One of these days I'll finish it up.
After reading everyones stories about how quickly theirs went out I'm just happy the 60e lasted as long as it did. To think I put almost 9k miles on mine with the blower and probably 300+ passes on it since my truck was new and it was completly stock. I think I just burnt the cluth packs out of it, so it probably wouldn't be too bad of a fix. Anyone want a 60e core or a stock driveshaft :hmm:

The cladding is wrapped up in blankets sitting in my storage. Too much stuff to do and not enough daylight to get it done. The dent in the door hasn't even been pulled yet :nono: I keep telling myself that it's taken me this long to get it done, whats another few weeks right :insane: One of these days I'll finish it up.
you still put me to shame on getting stuff done chris........:endofshow
Here's the part numbers I have so far.

19156257 - 4L85e Transmission
15000206 - Converter dust cover
12551367 - 6.0 Flexplate
12563532 - Crank Spacer
12553332 - Flexplate bolts (6 required)
15198439 - 4L80/85E Dipstick tube
15183801 - 4L80/85E Dipstick
15013290 - 4L80/85E Shift cable bracket at transmission
11589040 - 4L60/65/70/80/85E Toque converter bolt (6 required)


For anyone that's interested, the stock tranny mount can be re-used because they use the same part number (15767858)
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Forgot to add, I have some other parts I've had for a while that I'm going to install as well.

05 e-fans (I already installed the 34" radiator)


145A alt. (already installed)


Metco idlers for the radix


And Baer Eradispeed rotors (I have them for the front only as I run 16" wheels in the rear at the track) I installed these a few weeks ago.
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Thanks everyone. I also got the dipstick tube part number figured out along with the tranny mount. I edited the post above to include those part numbers.
lookin good Chris. I need to catch up :imo. I need to save up some money to get goin on the truck again. It's a slow process for me :jester:
looks great!
we all knew that tranny was gonna dump on you soon :evil:
Old tranny is out and I should be bolting the new tranny in tonight. I've been waiting on the new dipstick tube to come in as it would be a PIA to try to install it when the transmission is already in the truck. Just a hint for anyone doing the conversion, to remove the top belhousing bolts, place a jack under the transmission pan and unbolt the tranny from the crossmember. Slowly let the jack down and the weight of the tranny will cause the motor to lean back making the belhousing bolts easier to get to.

I also updated the part number list by ading a few misc. things you will need.
sweet...truck keeps gettin better and better...
Hey,
I know this post is very old. But I need some assistance if possible! I need to know the part number of the transmission output yoke you were able to use. We are installing a new transmission/engine etc on a '72 GMC and our hold back is that damn tranny slip yoke. Anything will help at this point!
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