700R4 or 4L60E

[texassquarebodies]

I have a 1991 , 1/2 ton, 2wd, suburban, with a 350. What transmission is in this thing? Need to know what it is before I sell it. Its all stock. I should know this

[BigBlocksRule]

It'll be a 700R4, 93 was the first year for 4L60E IIRC.

[texassquarebodies]

But I don't have a speedo cable??? What makes it a 700r4 and not a 4l60E ? Is my 700r4 different than other years?? IIRC??? what does than mean??

[BigBlocksRule]

The 93 and 94 (I think) are swappable, the '95 is similar but in '96, things changed. I could do a bit of research to double check, but that's not the issue you're asking about.
If you have only the 4-wire plug on the driver's side, it's a 700. If it has the big round plug, it's a 60. The 700 could use either a plastic gear drive or magnetic pickup on the tailshaft so it would work with a mechanical or electronic speedo. Yours should have the latter, can't tell without disassembling except that yours should use wire versus a cable.

I picked up a '91 2wd with no engine or tranny, I'm going to convert it to 4WD and make a camping/ski rig out of it for my kids.

[Jonboy]

4L60E is electronically controlled valve body. If you have a TV cable, it is a 700R4 (4L60).

[406 Q-ship]

There are actually 3 different versions of the 700 R4 transmission. 1982 to 1990 (approx) they get the 700 R4, then in 1991 they are the 4L60 (notice no E) which is just another name for the 700 R4. After 1994 they became the 4L60E and later the 4L65E (a better 4L60E). The easiest way to ID the E version is to look at the transmission case by the shifter arm on the left side, there will be a very large wiring plug (earlier used the 4 wire plug).

A 1991 should be a 4L60 and may not have a speedo cable. After 1988 the new GM800 trucks got an electronic speedo the the need for a cable was gone. Where the speedo cable goes is a wire connection, that can be removed and a later cable connection can be installed (use one from the early 700 R4).

[texassquarebodies]

Thanks again guys for the schooling on the 700R4. I can always get good advice here.

[mattpiotr]

correct, the 4L60E is electronically controlled valve body, its pretty much the same as the 700r4. the 4l60e replace the 700r4 in 1990 with the electronic valve body.