I have got a 99 Chevy Silverado 2500 LS Vortec 6L V8 4x4 with 180,000 miles, living in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah. My transmission (4L80E) basically crapped out on me because I wasn’t keeping up with it, and now I’m in a bind. I want to keep the truck since it’s my first and has sentimental value, but I’m stuck between trying to fix the transmission myself (limited shop experience from high school) or hitting up a pick-n-pull for a used one from the same year. Any advice on what I should do? I’d rather not scrap it if I can avoid it.
If it’s your first truck and you love it, I’d try to keep it if possible. The 4L80E is pretty robust, but with your limited shop experience, a full rebuild might be tricky. Have you looked into getting a used transmission from a salvage yard or maybe even a remanufactured one? That could save you the headache of rebuilding and still let you keep your truck running.
@Charlie
I haven’t looked into remanufactured yet, just figured it might be out of my budget, but I’ll check prices. Thanks for the suggestion!
Pick-n-pull could be an option if you find one in good shape, but it’s always a bit of a gamble with used transmissions. Rebuilding it yourself might be fun if you’re into that sort of thing, but it’s time-consuming and requires some specialized tools. If you’ve got the space and time to learn, there are plenty of YouTube videos and resources out there. Just be aware that it could take a while if you’re not familiar with all the ins and outs of the 4L80E.
@Avery
That’s what I was worried about, I’ve got some free time but not sure if it’s enough to tackle a whole rebuild. Could always be a learning experience though…
Arlen said:
@Avery
That’s what I was worried about, I’ve got some free time but not sure if it’s enough to tackle a whole rebuild. Could always be a learning experience though…
Yeah, if you have the patience and can afford a backup ride in case it takes a while, it could be worth a shot. Just be prepared for some trial and error.
A remanufactured transmission could be a good middle-ground option. You get something that’s essentially like-new but without the price tag of a completely new one. They usually come with warranties, too. It’ll probably save you the stress of a DIY rebuild if you’re worried about messing something up.
@Jensen
That’s definitely something to think about. A warranty would help give me peace of mind for sure.
You’re in Utah, right? Check out some local salvage yards before you make a decision. Sometimes you can find a good deal on a used 4L80E, and they may even offer a short-term warranty. You might even find someone locally who’s parting out a similar truck with a working transmission.
@Happy
Yeah, I’m up in the Wasatch area. I’ll look into that, maybe get lucky and find a decent one nearby.
If you’re attached to the truck and don’t want to get rid of it, fixing it sounds like the better move. A transmission swap isn’t impossible but might take more time and effort than you expect. If you’ve got a good local mechanic, maybe ask them for a quote on a rebuild versus a used transmission swap. That way you can weigh your options and see what makes the most sense for your budget.
@Reagan
Good point, getting a mechanic’s take on it might help me decide. Thanks!