I was wondering what fitment differences there might be between a car 4l65e and a truck 4l65e. Also is it worth converting a late model 4l60e to a 4l65e or just start with a 4l65e core if doing a complete rebuild.

 

You have LT versions and LS versions of these units. Best to start with the one that goes with the motor. Any of these can be modified to hold up to what you want. Is the 4L65E better to start with? Not really. You might pay much more for no real advantage. Get the transmission core you are wanting to use to match the motor you have, at the best price and condition to start with.

 

Thanks, I'm still looking.

 

Don't waste anytime looking for a 4L65E.

Purchase a good 4L60E core and purchase a rebuild kit from Dana (PBA) here.

 

4l65 is a waste of money.
5 pinion planets are not any stronger than the 4 pinions...and even if they WERE stronger...it wouldn't matter. I've never seen a 4 pinion break from power. Lack of lube and/or bearing failure...each of which the 5 pinion is equally prone to.
There are plenty of other failure modes before you get to the planets.

The shafts are supposedly stronger. I have 600 hp cars out there and never had issues with a stock shaft. So take that for what you may.
Any of the other improvements are done to any 60e during a rebuild and then some.
Plain and simple, get the huydraulics right and focus on a select few little things on a 4l60e and you won't have issues.

 

Update...found a 2005 4L65E off LS engine 80000 miles, direct fit, for $500.

 

Too expensive of a core...
Especially when swapping out the Planets and Reaction-Tube for the 4-pinion models.

What vehicle is it going into and what vehicle did it come out of?

Four-Wheel drive models will have a shorter output-shaft that fits to a transfer-case instead of a drive-shaft...
A complete disassembly must occur to install a Two-Wheel drive output-shaft.

 

hey maroon, would a 2003 4l65 be better than a 2005 4l60? I hear about some valve body updates around 03-06, wondering which would be better set up while I build one of my cores beefier
I have a 4x4 2000 4l60, a 4x4 2005 4l60, and picked up an awd 2003 4l65 from a 6L Escalade yesterday for 300 bucks. I am in the midst of a frame swap so swapping in the 4l65 is super easy.
Oh, also it’s going in my truck behind a 2005 L33 with volante dual scoop air intake, long tubes and dual 2.5” exits, no cats. In a month or two I’m dropping a camshaft in and a nnbs intake with bigger injectors

 

Properly rebuild either one and you won't notice any difference.
I'd use the 2005 4l60e because it has the nicer 4 pinions
@Kfxguy would use the 03 with the 5 pinions

Real world for you...either will work totally fine.

 

thanks for the quick reply, you rock! I’ve read soooo many threads on this, and I’d say 90% are saying the 4l65 is better because of the extra clutch pack, that the 4 and 5 pinions don’t make much of a difference since they aren’t a major weak point sub 4-450hp. If I make just about 400, would it be better to swap the 4l65 in for now, and heavily beef up the 06 4l60 then swap again down the road? The fluid in the 06 is cloudy, the fluid in the 65 looked decent red (it was mostly emptied of fluid, TC has plug on with fluid in it I could check that?). If fluid looks cleaner on the 65 would it be smarter for me to drop that in while I rebuild? I also have the 1-2 sonnax servo with the 4th super as well I’m swapping from my 2000 4l60. Oh, I also did all the solenoids last year in the 2000, should I swap those newer solenoids into the 65?

sorry for the long read and multiple questions, I’m a pretty damn good home mechanic with a fully stocked personal shop with two vehicle hoists, but I haven’t taught myself transmissions yet so I’m kind of in the dark, regardless of how many threads I read it’s no substitute for a lifetime of experience from someone like yourself.

 

I can't give much recommendation on swapping in used/junkyard transmissions.
Not something I'd usually say is a great idea but if you're OK with gambling on a used unit, then the 4l65 would be OK as it should have the factory 7 clutch 3/4
If you rebuild them...the only notable difference will be the 4 vs 5 pinion planets. You will need to upgrade the rest on either unit.

 

To say a 4L65E is no improvement over a 4L60E is bs, the factory didn't spend the extra money for nothing. As for rebuilding the 4L60E / 4L65E, If you can read and are mechanically inclined you can do it yourself, as I have. There is a set of videos online or you can buy the guys tapes, he guides you step by step and even tells you some tools you can substitute. I'll post the name or link if that's ok?

 

So, I went ahead and swapped the 4l65e in. I aligned the TC, but when I went to bolt it on I didn’t realize it had moved, and I bolted it up without having the TC aligned proper. Crank wouldn’t turn, so I unbolted it, reseated and bolted up. Cranks turns, TC is bolted up and torqued. I’ve read that chances are I broke the pump, is there any way to check with it mated, and truck not turned on?

if I Did break it, will the 05 4l60 pump swap? Or would I want to swap from the 200 4l60?

ive searched to no avail online, looked through rockauto to try and compare part numbers, but can’t even find a listing for a replacement pump.