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

[Trailblazzin]

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!

 

[Geotrash]

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!

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.

 

[Trailblazzin]

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.

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

 

[ScottyBoy]

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.

 

[B-train]

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.

 

[Geotrash]

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

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.

 

[Trailblazzin]

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.

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.

 

[Geotrash]

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.

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.

 

[avalonandl]

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.

 

[Foggy]

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

 

[Fubar0715]

Are you looking for a tool to pull the trailer, occasionally? The place I bought my SSV from has a higher mileage 2013 Suburban 2500 in Fleet trim for 12k. If you are interested - I can post the link.

 

[B-train]

I had the opportunity to buy a 2012 GMC 2500 XL about 4 years ago. Southern truck, Silver with gray leather, 4wd, super clean. It had 160k on it and the guy wanted somewhere around 15k for it.

Probably should've pursued that one......

 

[petethepug]

Yukon & Burb 2500 are pretty much collectibles like an Airstream trailer. You’ll want the 6SP (6L90) in the 08+. It’s quieter and more enjoyable to tow. The 07-09 6.0L (LY6) run on Reg gas.

The 10-13 6.0L (L96) have a different fuel pump and bigger injectors equipped for Reg fuel and e85. A big plus when available because of 39 gal dual tanks, 100 octane, inexpensive and burns cleaner and cooler plus it removes gas carbon deposits.

They are available with 100-200k + miles but they’re 300k platforms like any 07-14 NNBS full size SUV. The secret really isn’t out on the NNBS longevity yet.

None of the Burb or Yukon XL 2500 have AFM because of their GVWR. It exempts them from CAFE standards that the 1500 or 1/2 ton Yukon, Burb, Tahoe & Escalade are required to meet.

Unlike the 1/2 ton, the 3/4 ton siblings lack of AFM, means longer life for the 6.0L motor in every year made up to 2013. In 12 & 13 if equipped with Navi they got upgraded hard drive based Navi systems that are actually still usable. $69 integrated steaming BT music modules also clip in. 2013 w/ fact Navi has grid lines on back up cam.

Happy hunting and try to get as close to 2013 as possible even if you have to fly or drive to get it. Don’t forget you can swap seats or configurations from any other Yukon XL, Denali XL or Escalade ESV to get 10 way heated seats or swap from captains to 2nd row bench. It’s like LEGO’s.

 

[intheburbs]

No 2500 Suburbans/Yukon XLs came with the Allison. Ever. If someone claims otherwise, ask them for a picture of the spin-on oil filter on the trans.

The 2007s have the 4L80, but the dealbreaker for me is they also have the (weak) 9.5" semifloater rear. The 2008-2013 not only got the 6L90, they also all got the 10.5" freefloater rear axle. I call it the Godzilla axle. It's rated to 5500 lbs in the 2500 Suburbans, because the limiting factor is the tires, but American Axle rates the axle to 8600 lbs.

The 2007 came with either a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio. All 2008-2013 got the 3.73. But with the six-speed, the 08-13 models had both a better start ratio and a better final drive ratio compared to the 4L80.

I bought my 2008 2500 back in 2013 because I'd recently grenaded TWO rear axles in my 2001 towing heavy travel trailers.

And yes, they're rare and expensive. Most ones coming on the market are over 150k miles. Lower mileage units can still sell for $25k-$30k.

IF you do Facebook, here's a perfect example - loaded 2013 Yukon XL 2500 black/black with 122k miles, asking $27,500. That's probably a little high, but that thing would sell for $24k-$25k every day. He actually started with an asking price of $32,500.

Log into Facebook

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[petethepug]

TX is the picking ground for GM trucks. Flew out to DFW to get our Esky Plat 3 years ago next Mo.

That example would be the one trim’d out with every option except the heated steering wheel. HDD Navi, dual DVD screens, integrated trailer brake in the tow package. Last year of production model year.

The weather’s right to fly out and drive it home. Lucky kids to get something like that with heated seats in back. Our 08 YXL Denali had the 2nd row 60/40 heated bench with the fold down arm rest / drink holder in the center. Kids loved stacking pillows in the center for napping. That’s a bolt in option on these.

 

[Onlyone]

Here’s a rust free one with high miles but looks great. Cheap.

2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500. Power Windows and Locks with key fob. AM/FM CD Player with rear audio controls for headphones. Dual climate control up front with rear controls as well. Folding 3rd Row makes...

westslope.craigslist.org

 

[stubbs]

Get an 08+. I bought my '07 2500 in 2020 without realizing that it was the last year of the 4L80e and I've regretted it since, but only because I should have held out for a 6L90e. I've got the 4.10 diffs, which is good for the 4 speed, but 1st gear is still painfully tall on this rig. I don't pull super heavy, my trailer's just around 6klbs, and I've got zero worries about the axle durability though.

The 6 speed with the 3.73 axles manages both a shorter effective 1st gear, taller effective overdrive, and has smaller jumps between ratios, all of which would be welcome lugging a few tons up mountains.
Mine's got 242k miles on it now but it's a keeper - quite clean and I've sadly needed to rebuild the transmission at 225k and replaced the engine with a low-mile refreshed unit last year (keep an eye on oil pressure!). It should go another 100k for me easy, even after I convince my wife to let me supercharge it so I can get up Parleys Canyon in Utah without sitting at 20mph behind big rigs.

The biggest downside to the 2500s is the fuel economy. Mine's tuned and will average around 11 on regular gas or 12 if I run it on a premium tune (which I do, since it's noticeably more powerful and the added 10% or so economy covers the added cost per gallon). Still, the large fuel capacity makes it so you can tow with decent range even while you're getting 7mpg.

All of that said... I keep wondering if a 21+ diesel Suburban wouldn't tow even better and be at least as stable with all of the modern tech. Even my 6k lb trailer would be pushing payload limits with my family of six in one though, and with an occasional 7th person and 2 dogs I'd be blowing past payload limits by a couple hundred pounds. A model with air suspension would likely be fine with that for a long time...

 

[petethepug]

The current diesel trucks, Escalade, Denali & Burbs are true unicorns. I have my heart set on a preloved Escalade when the price falls some more.

 

[petethepug]

Sadly, the Allison 1000 trans was only offered in the 8.1L Chevy Avalanche or 3/4 ton Silverado or Sierra diesel trucks.

All the Burb & Yukon 2500 got the same 4 or 6 speed trans as their gasser counterparts. Even the Burb 3500 had a GM 6L90 and a 6.0 gasser.

 

[OR VietVet]

Sadly, the Allison 1000 trans was only offered in the 8.1L Chevy Avalanche or 3/4 ton Silverado or Sierra diesel trucks.

All the Burb & Yukon 2500 got the same 4 or 6 speed trans as their gasser counterparts. Even the Burb 3500 had a GM 6L90 and a 6.0 gasser.

Am I wrong in assuming the Allison Transmissions only were offered on the 3/4 ton Silverado and Sierra models with the big blocks and not the 6.0 engines?