4L80E or gear vendor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtdave2 · 09-08-2009, 11:52 AM

dam it, i thought i had decided to get the gear vendor. easy to install, bulletproof (the unit, no so with the electronics). only mod is to the drive line. an easy od answer...

down side i would not gain any lower gear than first. cost, just under 3k. many reports on bad electronic, but gv will fix it.

i don’t know much about the 4l80e. but so far i see the up side is a lower 1st gear, something i really want. a bit of a higher od, and a lock up converter. so mileage should be better im guessing. how do you hook up the speedo?

down side? the electronics, molesting my original truck more than i care to, durability? not sure....

**americanmusc1e** · 09-08-2009, 12:08 PM

Question, why not a 700r4 or 2004r??? You can build a VERY good 700r4 or 2004r for a lot less than a 4l80E swap. Unless your running a GenIII (4.8, 5.3 or 6.0) you need a transmission controller, which, If I remember right, is about the same price as a nicely built 700r4!!!!!

mtdave2 · 09-08-2009, 12:14 PM

ya, i know many people like the 700r4.. but i have burning hatred for it. several bad experiences with them.

i just want a lower 1st, and an od, but as little problems as possible. install and forget..

BCOWANWHEELS · 09-08-2009, 12:29 PM

Cant you make the 4l80e a manuel shift trans and not have the hi dollar electronic controler ?

69GMCLonghorn · 09-08-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

Cant you make the 4l80e a manuel shift trans and not have the hi dollar electronic controler ?

Why would you want to mess up a tranny and HAVE to manually shift it all the time? If you CHOOSE to, that's one thing, but I thought the main reason most guys have auto's is because they don't like to shift. Either do it right, or come up with another option.

Now in terms of the decision, I have not heard of the electronic problems with GV units (doesn't mean they don't happen, just that I haven't heard of them), but I HAVE heard about electronic problems with the 4L60 and 80 tranny's. Here is a possible solution that might be slightly counter productive. Drop your axle ratio by ONE gear ratio. This won't totally kill your top end, but will give you a slightly lower first gear, then add some sort of O/D unit.

Some quick math: Let's say you have 4.10 gears with 31" tires. With no O/D, you're taching right around 3100 RPM @ 70 MPH. Add a GV unit, and that will drop to around 2400 RPM +/- @ 70. Now drop in a set of 4.56's in the axle. You are now at 2700 RPM @ 70 MPH with the GV. Not too bad unless you drive faster than that on a regular basis. But you first gear drop in the process. Just something to think about.

mtdave2 · 09-08-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

Why would you want to mess up a tranny and HAVE to manually shift it all the time? If you CHOOSE to, that's one thing, but I thought the main reason most guys have auto's is because they don't like to shift. Either do it right, or come up with another option.

Now in terms of the decision, I have not heard of the electronic problems with GV units (doesn't mean they don't happen, just that I haven't heard of them), but I HAVE heard about electronic problems with the 4L60 and 80 tranny's. Here is a possible solution that might be slightly counter productive. Drop your axle ratio by ONE gear ratio. This won't totally kill your top end, but will give you a slightly lower first gear, then add some sort of O/D unit.

Some quick math: Let's say you have 4.10 gears with 31" tires. With no O/D, you're taching right around 3100 RPM @ 70 MPH. Add a GV unit, and that will drop to around 2400 RPM +/- @ 70. Now drop in a set of 4.56's in the axle. You are now at 2700 RPM @ 70 MPH with the GV. Not too bad unless you drive faster than that on a regular basis. But you first gear drop in the process. Just something to think about.

ya thats a thought... i am probably going to go with the gear vendor.

**americanmusc1e** · 09-08-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdave2

ya, i know many people like the 700r4.. but i have burning hatred for it. several bad experiences with them.

i just want a lower 1st, and an od, but as little problems as possible. install and forget..

I was just asking, I run a 700r4 and TBH, I'm not that impressed. but, there is no way I could afford a GV or 4l80e

If I had to do it over again, I'd run a manual transmission!! but unless someone wants to give me back the $1500 I spent on the 700r4.........................I'll keep it.

chevy_mike · 09-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Another option that I have been looking at, since I agree about the cost of a GV or 4L80E is out of my range, is a US Gears overdrive. It is similar in design as a GV but is manually operated, no electronics. You can use a cable or Lokar shifter.

http://www.usgear.com/v2od.htm

Also cheaper at about $1600-$1800. Just throwing out another idea.

**kwmech** · 09-08-2009, 03:57 PM

If you are building a t400, you can put a lower 2.75 first gear in it.

Lugnut64052 · 09-08-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdave2

i don’t know much about the 4l80e. but so far i see the up side is a lower 1st gear, something i really want. a bit of a higher od, and a lock up converter. so mileage should be better im guessing. how do you hook up the speedo?

Here's a gear ratio list-------

The TH400 and the 4L80E have identical 1st through 3rd gears. Basically a 4L80E is just a TH400 with a 4th gear clutch and planetary set on the front of it.

My vote would be for a built 200-4R. A 2.74 first gear, a smaller 1-2 jump than a 700, plus it's a 4-speed overdrive. Pretty easy to get the lockup going as well. And, you should come out waaaay ahead dollar wise.

69GMCLonghorn · 09-08-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugnut64052

Here's a gear ratio list-------

The TH400 and the 4L80E have identical 1st through 3rd gears. Basically a 4L80E is just a TH400 with a 4th gear clutch and planetary set on the front of it.

My vote would be for a built 200-4R. A 2.74 first gear, a smaller 1-2 jump than a 700, plus it's a 4-speed overdrive. Pretty easy to get the lockup going as well. And, you should come out waaaay ahead dollar wise.

A PowerSlush has a 1.76 FIRST GEAR?! I never realized that! You might as well just have one speed and let it slip until you get moving!

Longhorn Man · 09-08-2009, 07:04 PM

doesn't the gear vendors drop the ratio a little... isn't it an over and under drive?
The manual valve body on the 4L80 is a kit to intentionally do this... it's not rigging anything at all, Think of it as a clutchless 4 speed. The reason for it is the insane cost of the electronics to control that tranny. More than the cost of the GV unit if memory serves.
But, it is the strongest overdrive in the GM family.

extd56 · 09-08-2009, 07:18 PM

I have the 4l80e in my crew cab and love it. I am running about 2000 RPM at 70MPH on the freeway and the 454 is very happy.

BCOWANWHEELS · 09-08-2009, 08:20 PM

Extd56,
what ratio do you have in the rar end. And longhorn man is dead on on the 4l80e. Them stand alone computers are pricey. I can manuely shift alot of gears for 1000.00 + bucks. ALSO I HAVE A GV UNIT AND ITS TROUBLE FREE BUT $$$$$$$

extd56 · 09-08-2009, 11:02 PM

I have a 3.73 rear end with 35" tires

jpsage · 09-08-2009, 11:13 PM

Is not a 4L80E just a 700R4 with electronics?

john.

extd56 · 09-08-2009, 11:19 PM

A 4L60 is a 700R4 with electronics or a 350 with overdrive. A 4L80E is a 400 with electronics and a overdrive. The 4L80e is a much stronger trans than the 4L60 and can be put behind a engine with a lot of power. The 4L80e also controls the shift points instead of using vacumn.

gator2511 · 09-09-2009, 01:23 AM

I bought my GV in March of 05 and the controller went out in Feb. 07. I called GVOD and they sent a new controller out to me free of charge with no hassle right away. Yeah I had a problem but it was resolved quickly and at no charge to me. Been fine since and I use it daily.

**special-K** · 09-09-2009, 06:51 AM

The ECM to run a 4L80E adds about $700.Now,to adapt your speedo is another cost.I have the company name somewhere and not sure what the price is.If you can find that 4l80E in a`91 2wd 6.2 equipped 2500 or 3500 just grab that stand alone ECM.

eagleuh1 · 09-09-2009, 07:23 AM

Why not just put the 6 liter ecm and 4l80e in?

Shon · 09-09-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Now,to adapt your speedo is another cost.I have the company name somewhere and not sure what the price is.

Abbott Cable X? is so I can ship them to anyone for $300.

Lemield · 09-09-2009, 09:16 AM

My 2 cents worth......

The reason I went with a GV unit was because as Longhorn Man said, you can use it as an overdrive/underdrive. It's kind of cool having 6 forward gears!

My Willys Jeep has a Warn overdrive and I like the overdrive/underdrive with it too.

I have had no problems with the electronics on the GV unit.

If I had to do it again, I would probably put in a built up 700R4 and the GV unit.

mtdave2 · 09-09-2009, 09:31 AM

well it does not give you any lower than your first gear. they call it an underdrive because what ever normal gear you are in, you can turn on the unit, giving you a higher gear. that gear us UNDER what your next gear would have been..

so really, its not an underdrive, gear splitter is a better name.

Lemield · 09-09-2009, 09:51 AM

I agree...a gear splitter is probably a better description.

69GMCLonghorn · 09-09-2009, 10:46 AM

Thank you! For it to be an underdrive, it would have to have a gear that was lower than 1:1.

Lemield, your Willys probably has an underdrive splitter on it, doesn't it? I know my uncle's '63 Jeep had a 3rd shifter on the floor that would underdrive all 3 gears. In addition to that, he also had low range in the transfer case. Of course, the thing had like 40 HP, so it still wouldn't move for sh**, but that's another story...

09-08-2009, 11:52 AM	#1
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,511	4L80E or gear vendor dam it, i thought i had decided to get the gear vendor. easy to install, bulletproof (the unit, no so with the electronics). only mod is to the drive line. an easy od answer... down side i would not gain any lower gear than first. cost, just under 3k. many reports on bad electronic, but gv will fix it. i don’t know much about the 4l80e. but so far i see the up side is a lower 1st gear, something i really want. a bit of a higher od, and a lock up converter. so mileage should be better im guessing. how do you hook up the speedo? down side? the electronics, molesting my original truck more than i care to, durability? not sure.... __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban Last edited by mtdave2; 09-08-2009 at 11:52 AM.

09-08-2009, 12:08 PM	#2
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Question, why not a 700r4 or 2004r??? You can build a VERY good 700r4 or 2004r for a lot less than a 4l80E swap. Unless your running a GenIII (4.8, 5.3 or 6.0) you need a transmission controller, which, If I remember right, is about the same price as a nicely built 700r4!!!!! __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

09-08-2009, 12:14 PM	#3
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,511	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor ya, i know many people like the 700r4.. but i have burning hatred for it. several bad experiences with them. i just want a lower 1st, and an od, but as little problems as possible. install and forget.. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-08-2009, 12:29 PM	#4
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Cant you make the 4l80e a manuel shift trans and not have the hi dollar electronic controler ? __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

09-08-2009, 03:15 PM	#8
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Another option that I have been looking at, since I agree about the cost of a GV or 4L80E is out of my range, is a US Gears overdrive. It is similar in design as a GV but is manually operated, no electronics. You can use a cable or Lokar shifter. http://www.usgear.com/v2od.htm Also cheaper at about $1600-$1800. Just throwing out another idea. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

09-08-2009, 03:57 PM	#9
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,517	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor If you are building a t400, you can put a lower 2.75 first gear in it.

09-08-2009, 07:04 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor doesn't the gear vendors drop the ratio a little... isn't it an over and under drive? The manual valve body on the 4L80 is a kit to intentionally do this... it's not rigging anything at all, Think of it as a clutchless 4 speed. The reason for it is the insane cost of the electronics to control that tranny. More than the cost of the GV unit if memory serves. But, it is the strongest overdrive in the GM family.

09-08-2009, 07:18 PM	#13
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor I have the 4l80e in my crew cab and love it. I am running about 2000 RPM at 70MPH on the freeway and the 454 is very happy.

09-08-2009, 08:20 PM	#14
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Extd56, what ratio do you have in the rar end. And longhorn man is dead on on the 4l80e. Them stand alone computers are pricey. I can manuely shift alot of gears for 1000.00 + bucks. ALSO I HAVE A GV UNIT AND ITS TROUBLE FREE BUT $$$$$$$ __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16 Last edited by BCOWANWHEELS; 09-08-2009 at 08:20 PM.

09-08-2009, 11:02 PM	#15
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor I have a 3.73 rear end with 35" tires

09-08-2009, 11:13 PM	#16
jpsage Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 5	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Is not a 4L80E just a 700R4 with electronics? john.

09-08-2009, 11:19 PM	#17
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor A 4L60 is a 700R4 with electronics or a 350 with overdrive. A 4L80E is a 400 with electronics and a overdrive. The 4L80e is a much stronger trans than the 4L60 and can be put behind a engine with a lot of power. The 4L80e also controls the shift points instead of using vacumn.

09-09-2009, 01:23 AM	#18
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor I bought my GV in March of 05 and the controller went out in Feb. 07. I called GVOD and they sent a new controller out to me free of charge with no hassle right away. Yeah I had a problem but it was resolved quickly and at no charge to me. Been fine since and I use it daily.

09-09-2009, 06:51 AM	#19
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor The ECM to run a 4L80E adds about $700.Now,to adapt your speedo is another cost.I have the company name somewhere and not sure what the price is.If you can find that 4l80E in a`91 2wd 6.2 equipped 2500 or 3500 just grab that stand alone ECM. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-09-2009, 07:23 AM	#20
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Why not just put the 6 liter ecm and 4l80e in?



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09-09-2009, 09:16 AM	#22
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor My 2 cents worth...... The reason I went with a GV unit was because as Longhorn Man said, you can use it as an overdrive/underdrive. It's kind of cool having 6 forward gears! My Willys Jeep has a Warn overdrive and I like the overdrive/underdrive with it too. I have had no problems with the electronics on the GV unit. If I had to do it again, I would probably put in a built up 700R4 and the GV unit. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

09-09-2009, 09:31 AM	#23
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,511	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor well it does not give you any lower than your first gear. they call it an underdrive because what ever normal gear you are in, you can turn on the unit, giving you a higher gear. that gear us UNDER what your next gear would have been.. so really, its not an underdrive, gear splitter is a better name. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-09-2009, 09:51 AM	#24
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor I agree...a gear splitter is probably a better description. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

09-09-2009, 10:46 AM	#25
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: 4L80E or gear vendor Thank you! For it to be an underdrive, it would have to have a gear that was lower than 1:1. Lemield, your Willys probably has an underdrive splitter on it, doesn't it? I know my uncle's '63 Jeep had a 3rd shifter on the floor that would underdrive all 3 gears. In addition to that, he also had low range in the transfer case. Of course, the thing had like 40 HP, so it still wouldn't move for sh**, but that's another story...

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