i might be getting a hell of a deal on a 04 chevy silverado, 4.8. 2wd.
3rd and 4th gear are out of it, and was wondering how i could find out which transmission i need? i know its a 4l60e, but will any 4l60e work from other 5.3/6.0 motors from other trucks? short shaft/long shaft?
thanks

 

This question comes up a lot in the tranny forum, and you can search there for precise information. But any truck 4l60/65e should work through 2006, I believe.

 

my tranny guy claims 04 on trucks was first year on the 4L65E internals. Far as I know early 07 trucks were same as older

 

You can use *most* 99-2008 4L60/65E's. When I say *most* there are some odd ***** out there that you MUST avoid. The Colorado/Canyon/Hummer H3/All S-10 transmissions use a different input shaft/pump/torque converter and they WILL NOT work for your application. Further, many of the V6 engine equipped 1500 series of trucks used the 245MM input shaft (I've seen these all the way through 2004)-which again, will not work in your application as the bolt pattern on the T/C is different than your 300MM application.

The LATE 06 through 2008 units will have an additional ISS, or turbine speed sensor, inside that will not function in your vehicle as your TCM is not looking for that info, so those components will just be along for the ride. It's not a problem though.

2009 through 2011 used an internal neutral safety switch/MLPS so you want to avoid those years. 1998 and earlier all used the 245MM input shaft-avoid those.

In short, 1998-2008 V8 equipped Trucks/Vans/SUV's will work. The trailblazer SS is a direct swap and depending on year will be a 4L65E. Further, even the regular Trailblazer trans will work in your truck by swapping the bell-housing.

It stands to reason that given the choice you want to go for the latest production transmission that you can find if you are going used. Normally this can indicate the lowest mileage, and all the latest GM internal updates. Through the years GM has done several minor things (in my opinion) to try and improve the reliability of this family of transmission.

 

No 3rd or 4th is sometimes caused by a broken forward sprag. If you manually select 1st or 2nd in starting out and then you're able to manually able to get 3rd and 4th by shifting to 3rd and 4th,the sprag is broken.

 

Check out the Sloppy WIKi PAGE

https://sites.google.com/site/sloppywiki/

 

In your case, for a direct swap, you will need a 4L60E used in Silverado's with a 4.3-V6 / 4.8-V8 / 5.3-V8 from 1999-2004. 2005-Newer 4L60E's had different wiring and main harness plug. 2002-Newer 6.0L 1500 Vehicles used the 4L65E and 1999-Newer 6.0L 2500 Vehicles used the 4L80E, which in either situation, will not work for you.

The 4L65E was introduced in 2001. The 4L65E was only behind the 6.0 (At least in trucks and SUV's, and was used in the Silverado SS, Sierra Denali and NBS Vortec Max Trucks. NNBS Vortec Max trucks received the 4L70E until early 2009.

The 4L60E was used in Silverado's up until 2013.

2005 (Some 2005's) and newer added a Speed sensor inside the pump housing like the 4L70E.

 

This. ^