In the market 3/4 Ton 2500, preferred transmission?

What’s the take on the 4L80E vs the 6L90E transmissions?

I’m looking for a 2007-2013 body style 2500. The 07 has the 4 speed while the 08-13 has the 6 speed. Is one preferred over the other.

I’ll be towing a 5k lb travel trailer around the northeast.

Currently have a 2007 Tahoe and just don’t have enough room if the third seats are in use.

Thanks in advance!

Trailblazzin said:

What’s the take on the 4L80E vs the 6L90E transmissions?

I’m looking for a 2007-2013 body style 2500. The 07 has the 4 speed while the 08-13 has the 6 speed. Is one preferred over the other.

I’ll be towing a 5k lb travel trailer around the northeast.

Currently have a 2007 Tahoe and just don’t have enough room if the third seats are in use.

Thanks in advance!

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To answer your question, the 6-speed is better for towing, hands-down. The bigger gear range means being able to keep the engine happy without either lugging or over-revving it.

But I must ask, why a 2500 for a 5K lb camper? I haul a 7500 lb camper with our 2012 Yukon XL 1500 Denali (6.2L, 6L80) and it's plenty capable for the job.

Geotrash said:

To answer your question, the 6-speed is better for towing, hands-down. The bigger gear range means being able to keep the engine happy without either lugging or over-revving it.

But I must ask, why a 2500 for a 5K lb camper? I haul a 7500 lb camper with our 2012 Yukon XL 1500 Denali (6.2L, 6L80) and it's plenty capable for the job.

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I’m in the market for a long wheel base and I keep vehicles a long time so I want to be able to possibly get a slightly larger trailer in the future. Plus no AFM issues in the 6.0

I'm not sure about the GMT900 body style, but I remember reading that the GMT800 3/4 ton body style Yukon XL's and the Suburbans had the Allison Transmission as an available option IF you got the 8.1 big block engine. It wasn't available with the 6.0 engine though.

I think that is incorrect, but maybe I'm incorrect. From what I remember, the Allison only went in the trucks. There were clearance issues on the SUV and Express van models, so they only got the 4L80E. Either with the 8.1L SUV, or duramax in the vans.

I had a 2015 3500HD as a work truck and absolutely loved the 6 speed with the 6.0L. Probably the best combo you can get for ease or maintenance, long service life, etc. IMO

The 4L80e was a stout trans as well, but having 2 more gears makes a difference. Also, I think when they went to the 6 speed the trucks mostly came with 4:10 gears which makes the 6.0L very happy rpm wise.

Trailblazzin said:

I’m in the market for a long wheel base and I keep vehicles a long time so I want to be able to possibly get a slightly larger trailer in the future. Plus no AFM issues in the 6.0

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Totally get it. I still browse 2500's from time to time also in case we decide to upgrade campers.

One slight correction though: 2007-2008 6.2's don't have AFM and for the later engines, you can have it tuned out so it never activates for $100 or so. When you do that, the AFM lifters will last as long as regular lifters. That said, I mechanically deleted it in my 2012 because I went with a bigger cam.

Geotrash said:

Totally get it. I still browse 2500's from time to time also in case we decide to upgrade campers.

One slight correction though: 2007-2008 6.2's don't have AFM and for the later engines, you can have it tuned out so it never activates for $100 or so. When you do that, the AFM lifters will last as long as regular lifters. That said, I mechanically deleted it in my 2012 because I went with a bigger cam.

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My 2007 Tahoe with 5.3 has it tuned out but the mechanical parts are still in there. I also have read up and the reliability on the 6.0 is outstanding.

Trailblazzin said:

My 2007 Tahoe with 5.3 has it tuned out but the mechanical parts are still in there. I also have read up and the reliability on the 6.0 is outstanding.

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Hard to beat an iron block LS for durability. In my opinion, the 6.0 deserves a place alongside the Toyota Landcruiser straight sixes as one of the most reliable and durable gas truck engines of all time.

Good luck finding a 2500. I was looking and ended up with a Denali XL 6.2

The clean 2500's are rare as hens teeth.

Yup,, what avalonandi said... Hen's teeth are more common than a 2500 SUV of
any options... If you find one it's already lived a long life for sure..
If you get some inside track on one - look it over carefully- then buy it
because you prob won't find another that's all clapped out.
I looked for one in 2018-2019.. They were all POS's with 200K on them and they
still wanted 25K