2008 Hunting for gears

[Philpug]

I understand the transmission on our 08 feels like it is from the Jurassic era but on long climbs the hunting for gears is frustrating. Ideally I would like to put a more modern transmission in like the later 6 speed that was offered but I don't think that is feasable. Do I have any other options?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

You could get a tune, which I believe would also adjust your transmission's shift points (At least, it did for my 07 Yukon XL Denali, with its 6 speed transmission, and the difference was about as significant as the tune to my motor.). Give @BlackBearPerf a call and discuss your needs. If they can tune your transmission, the difference could by huge.

 

[wjburken]

I understand the transmission on our 08 feels like it is from the Jurassic era but on long climbs the hunting for gears is frustrating. Ideally I would like to put a more modern transmission in like the later 6 speed that was offered but I don't think that is feasable. Do I have any other options?

In addition to what @Joseph Garcia mentioned, might try and put it in tow/haul mode abs see if that helps with the gear hunting.

 

[Philpug]

In addition to what @Joseph Garcia mentioned, might try and put it in tow/haul mode abs see if that helps with the gear hunting.

We've tried that. No difference.

 

[Bill 1960]

Regearing your axle(s) would be another option. Expensive.

And don’t expect a transmission with more gears to shift less. Quite the opposite actually. The shifting is less perceptible because the RPM changes are smaller, but there’s more of them. I had a Colorado with the 8 speed and it would drop a gear at the slightest incline. Two or three on any real grade.

A tune can help you for sure, by raising the throttle position threshold for a downshift. But it won’t be a silver bullet.

 

[Philpug]

Regearing your axle(s) would be another option. Expensive.

And don’t expect a transmission with more gears to shift less. Quite the opposite actually. The shifting is less perceptible because the RPM changes are smaller, but there’s more of them. I had a Colorado with the 8 speed and it would drop a gear at the slightest incline. Two or three on any real grade.

A tune can help you for sure, by raising the throttle position threshold for a downshift. But it won’t be a silver bullet.

I am not expecting a silver bullet...well maybe I am. I do know that when we had a rental 18 'Burb it was much more of a pleasure driving over the passes of eastern Nevada than ours. The multiple gearing changes 1K RPMs not the 2-3K that it feels ours is doing now.

 

[Tiki]

You’ll have that with a four speed transmission. 6L80e is a big upgrade in my opinion. To me it would be worth finding a newer vehicle with it installed as a factory option, but because they were used in that body style I reckon you could find a way to swap it over with used parts on the cheap!

Torque is your friend in the mountains.

 

[donjetman]

Do I have any other options?

TCI makes an aftermarket 6 speed with its own TCU-transmission control unit.
https://www.tciauto.com/6x-six-speed-transmission-w-gm-bellhousing-lock-up.html

 

[thompsoj22]

I am not expecting a silver bullet...well maybe I am. I do know that when we had a rental 18 'Burb it was much more of a pleasure driving over the passes of eastern Nevada than ours. The multiple gearing changes 1K RPMs not the 2-3K that it feels ours is doing now.

What engine do you have? Downshifting with a steady throttle position on a climb is normal 4L80 function, 2 to 3k rpm is the norm with the 4.8 or 5.3. We traded in our 2008 4.8 tahoe for the exact reason you are describing, And that was after i changed the rear end from 342 to 373. It made a difference but not enough to make us happy.

 

[Philpug]

What engine do you have? Downshifting with a steady throttle position on a climb is normal 4L80 function, 2 to 3k rpm is the norm with the 4.8 or 5.3. We traded in our 2008 4.8 tahoe for the exact reason you are describing, And that was after i changed the rear end from 342 to 373. It made a difference but not enough to make us happy.

We have the 5.3 w/ 3.73 rear