4L60 to 4L80 swap in a Silverado: getting it mounted in place

When I bought the UglyTruck 2000 Silverado 1500, the stock 4L60 was toast. I believe the band was broken which meant no 2nd or 4th gear. Clearly a replacement transmission was required because it had 324,000 miles on it, but I knew I would need something a little stronger than a 4l60 for what I had planned, which would later turn out to be a 496 big block 8.1 vortec. So I had no intention of rebuilding the 4l60, instead, I opted for the much stronger 4L80. In this video I go over some of the changes which are needed to bolt a 4l80e in place of a 4l60 in an LS powered Silverado. These steps for the most part work for 1999 to 2007 GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado for both 2wd and 4wd trucks, but can also work for other years as well. If you are trying this swap on a 4wd however, you will need a different input shaft for the transfer case, as the 4l60 has a 27 spline and the 4l80 uses a 32 spline output.
This video covers the installation of the transmission, which includes the different flexplate and spacer required, as well as modifications to the crossmember which is needed to allow the new trans to bolt into place, because the rear mount is several inches further back on the 4l80e than is is on the 4l60
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Chapters
0:00 Welcome
2:10 4l60 and 4l80 differences
3:55 New Converter
4:51 Flex Plate Spacer
7:00 4l80e goes in
8:04 crossmember mod

[@Justin-kl2vk]

Since it has been a while how has the converter been holding up? I am building a 6.0 for my 99 silverado 1500 and looking at converters for a possible turbo in the future!

[@LawrenceTolman]

so far, the GM88H converter has done nicely, especially considering the truck now has a turbocharged big block attached to it.

[@tommygearhart4651]

Very well put together. I like the format.

[@MaffettMotorwerks]

Awesome!! Ugly just got a little better. Can’t wait to see what is next!

[@phillipconley2521]

This series of videos has helped me greatly with my build a 99 gmc short bed step side I bought used in 2000 and still have the truck came with 5.3 4l60e and 3.73 gears with towing package. I am going to add ring gap a sloppy stage 2 cam springs and a turbo enter cooler combo plus the 4l80e of course. There is a lot of great information in your video !! Thank you very much

[@Jaxolot52]

Always feels like I’m watching truck tech🤣

[@edhdougherty]

Awesome video!! Really well done.

[@LawrenceTolman]

Thanks so much!

[@RustyWrenches]

Coming together nicely. I went with the 80e on my build as a sort of build it and forget it type deal. It's great around town and on the highway, as well as the occasional tire durability test. 😀

[@LawrenceTolman]

Rusty Wrenches that’s exactly what Im after. A set it and forget it trans.

[@joew7897]

Simple and to the point. 👍 like the videos keep it up!

[@LawrenceTolman]

Joe momma thanks, I appreciate it!

[@jameshall4385]

the 4l80e is a turbo 400 with overdrive added. it is a great transmission

[@LawrenceTolman]

its holding up well so far to the 8.1

[@jasonloera3358]

@@LawrenceTolman is it the first gen 80e or the latest gen? I just installed a built first gen 4l80 hope it’s reliable for years to come

[@mustang1100]

Great info video

[@LawrenceTolman]

Mustang thanks for watching!

[@Artoconnell]

I like how you did your cross member. thanks for the tip.

[@brandonloll4262]

going to be a great channel

[@LawrenceTolman]

Brandon Loll thanks a bunch!

[@ernestorodriguez8228]

Awesome man, 👍

[@LawrenceTolman]

Thanks 👍

[@kevinwest3689]

I'm pretty sure they do make a spacer that goes on the snout of the torque converter, so you don't have to change your flywheel or those bolts, like $30 bucks if I'm not mistaken.

[@LawrenceTolman]

yes, I believe you can use the 4l60 style dished flexplate with a pilot spacer on the back side, or a flat 4l80 style flexplate with the 0.400" spacer in front of it.

[@losteroni]

@@LawrenceTolman But that will only work with a custom 3 bolt converter .

[@copseybogle954]

So a stock 6.0 2500 flex plate was used and it bolts right up to 4.8,5.3. Side note I’m doing a swap and getting my trans from 2500 van with the same 4.8 engine I have in my truck

[@franciscomedina3032]

Would a 94 model work on my 05 Silverado

[@isaellvargas]

I just did a 2001 Silverado 4l60e To a 4l80e but my flex plate is to close , where can I buy the spacer or the whole flex plate

[@kenjohnson765]

I have a 4L60e in my 04 Suburban z71, In addition to what you said I would have to change the transfer case Input shaft along with that If I am correct?? It is a factory 4x4!

[@kittykitty643]

Love your content! You answered a bunch but 1! What make is that transmission jack where do I get 1!

[@LawrenceTolman]

I believe this was a Pittsburg jack from harbor freight, their taller version. works great

[@kittykitty643]

@@LawrenceTolman thanks for the info! I'm installing a 4l85e in a pro street 72 Nova SS and it's a monster big heavy and awkward

[@chrisrush3513]

Could you just use a stock 6.0 Flexplate? And did you have to use the hub adapter for this?

[@rlfdavin]

was going to use the speartech conversion harness. also one last question. I'm going to yank my parts from the junkyard, transmission, flex plate and use stock torque converter. does the 4l60e output driveshaft work with the 4l80e? i know the driveshaft needs to be shortened but just wanted to know if i need to grab the driveshaft from the junkyard also. this is going into my 2000 chevy suburban 2wd that i use to town stuff sometimes and daily driver. My friend has hptuners. also if i grab the crossmember off the junkyard 4l80e would that work with my suburban. i can weld and modify the way you did. but if there's an easy cheap bolt in solution i can do that as well. i haven't looked at the difference between the two yet and will be headed to junkyard later to compare...

[@hadnotandsons9308]

Can you use the 4l80e crossmember from the donor truck instead of cutting up 4l60e crossmember?

[@LawrenceTolman]

no, I don't think so. Mainly because on the 4L80 truck the crossmember will still be straight across, but the brackets that are welded on the frame are in a different position along the chassis.

[@joshuasoutherland7176]

You sound alot like the guy from trucks TV show back in the early 2000's

[@LawrenceTolman]

I get that from time to time

[@DIABOLICOHAVOC]

What was the total cost in parts, excluding the transmission, to get it all to work?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I put a parts and cost list together in the part 3 video... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3y8iatmZ8iCiK8

[@PowerstrokeBoiz]

Wait! Hold up! This mean LT isn’t on the TV show anymore ??!?!

[@nickonickster1]

Stupud questiin..I did this swap on a tahoe and it drives bad. I also put a 3200 torque converter in it..do i have to tune it first?

[@jaylenmyjj695]

I have the same kind of fly wheel with that thick spacer on it so do I need to shim it ? I put like one washer on each screw

[@SmileToMyMod]

Do the crossmember measurements work for a 2003 silverado 2wd?

[@Boostededdy]

Could I get a dished fly wheel out of an ls1 that was for a 4l60 and use that instead of the flat one with the spacer?

[@LawrenceTolman]

the flexplate from an LS1 and a 5.3 should be the same dished style I think... either way you will need a spacer for the torque converter

[@jamalipeintres3848]

Good job man , I have question - theirs any difference between 4l60e and 4l80e plugs ?? - am plan to remove 4l60e and going to 4l80e ,, thank you

[@LawrenceTolman]

the plug is similar, but the pinout is not, there are several wires in different positions, plus the 4l80e has an extra speed sensor (input speed). the conversion harness I linked in the description should be what you need

[@jamalipeintres3848]

@@LawrenceTolman thank you 🙏🏻

[@owenneff4918]

I have a 2003 1500 and im trying to swap a 4l80 can i use a 1500hd transmission mount

[@darrinbunston5932]

I have a 95 GMC that has a nv4500 manual transmission what do you suggest about putting the 4L 80e and then putting a standalone control unit in never done it before could use some guidance thanks

[@bobthomas6895]

To bad someone does'nt make a crossmember for the swap for people that dont have a welder or the means of making one. If their is one these days i would like to know

[@anthonymacneil2279]

What are your thoughts on GMs 8 speed and the new 10?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I love the 10 speed in my Duramax, but I dont know enough about the 8 and 10 speeds to know their weaknesses. In theory, the more gears the better, but I dont know about their durability and longevity.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

4L60, 4L65, 4L70, 4L80, 4L85, 6L80, 6L90, 8L90, 10L90. GVWR in lbs for each above. 6000, 6500, 7000, 8000, 8500, 8000, 9000, 9000, 9000.

[@lefthander9460]

New subscriber here. What ramps are you using in your videos? I'd like to give me a set of those

[@LawrenceTolman]

I'm not sure actually, I just picked em up from Amazon

[@carstuffwithsteve2012]

So what did you do about the cooler lines?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I showed in my next video, but just used some steel 3/8” line, cut and flares the stock aluminum lines and used two unions to extend the rear port.

[@carstuffwithsteve2012]

@@LawrenceTolman just watched it and ordered the parts! Thanks for your response!

[@justincromwell587]

So I have an 02 Silverado 1500 4.3 v6 with 4l60e transmission with 3rd and 4th gears gone will a 4l80 hookup to my 4.3 man I hope so because it's only got 63k on it

[@MrLadysman333]

How many inches did you cut the crossmember on each side and is it 6 inches plate on the sides to extend it?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I forget, its been so long. six inches longer than before sounds close tho...

[@gunsandhorsepower]

What would i need

[@snail5341]

Off topic. How big is your shop??

[@LawrenceTolman]

About 25x35

[@eriktorres8975]

Welding the cross member was over kill you should of just ripped out a cross member from the junkyard 2003- up on the obs trucks even the factory holes line up the back ones.

[@laxexperience8723]

Where’s your part list?

[@LawrenceTolman]

I put a parts and cost list together in the part 3 video... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3y8iatmZ8iCiK8

[@franciscomedina3778]

What dip stick u use what is the part number for the 4l80e

[@LawrenceTolman]

i'm not sure of the part number, but its from a 2002 2500HD Silverado 6.0

[@gunsandhorsepower]

How do i do a manual to auto im 2500 HD

[@kunesalazar]

What drive shaft you use

[@LawrenceTolman]

stock with a new slip yoke

[@kunesalazar]

@@LawrenceTolman thanks

[@jankycustoms6089]

What about drive shaft

[@LawrenceTolman]

Stock driveshaft with a yoke swap

[@jankycustoms6089]

@@LawrenceTolman what yoke can i use

[@ivanpalacios5467]

What's the flex plate part number please?

[@LawrenceTolman]

not sure on the part number, but the flexplate and spacer was stock for a 2002 2500HD with a 6.0 and 4L80e

[@ivanpalacios5467]

@@LawrenceTolman Thank You! Great Videos!

[@darrinbunston5932]

Are you sure you don't work for PowerBlock TV

[@LawrenceTolman]

Not anymore…