chris092183

iTrader: (1)

Planetaries? Like the 4l60e vs 4l65e?

Also what year/models come with 4l85e?

Vince B

iTrader: (1)

I know some of the 4l85's will come with 5 pinion planets but that is not always what makes these units 85's. I have been told that some 85's will come with four pinion planets. However the input shafts in some of these units are better than others and they have been treated differently than what we see in some of the 80's. Sorry I do not have the codes to tell you which are which but I really do not think you need to worry about these parts. Vince

Gadgetized

iTrader: (9)

I have heard that the planets have straight cut gears, so all of the parts that are associated with it will need to match. I dont know for sure, as I have never taken one apart.

ShredSled

iTrader: (11)

what did the 85e come in?

schino

iTrader: (14)

I'm pretty sure straight cut 1st. Mine is supposedly an 85 out of an 07 2500 van my exhaust is to loud to hear the gears. I've driven a van like the one this is out of and it did whine in 1st

Vince B

iTrader: (1)

No doubt that straight cut gears will be noisy. However these units without straight cut gears are known for having issues with the rear carrier and sungear wearing funny. I have seen and heard of many complaints with this issue and it is what it is. The issue IMO is with the center lines in these units because of the length of the unit. When GM sees this issue they replace the case, rear carrier and the sungear to help correct this issue. If you ever shopped around for these parts you can almost get a whole different unit for that kind of money. In most cases I think its best just to deal with the noise and run it!

Vince B

iTrader: (1)

Here is some info I was able to get from a TRANS-tec Automatic transmissions guide by vehicle. Not sure if all this info is 100% correct but here are the vehicles they claim have a 4l85E in them. See below.

Avalanche 02-06 in MEX RWD/4x4 V8 8.1L
Suburban 2500 96-07 MEX RWD/4x4 V8 8.1L
Van Full Size 2500 06-08 USA RWD V8 6.6L Diesel
Van Full Size 3500 06-09 USA RWD V8 6.6L Diesel
Yukon XL 00-06 MEX RWD/4x4 V8 8.1L

Leecostruck

makes me wonder if the case says 4l85e on the side or still says 4l80e. Might make for a easy way to identify it if thats the case. Also i wonder why they wouldnt put the 85 behind all 8.1's even the hd trucks? seems like those would be the ones meant to pull more often in order to need the stronger 85vs a suburban or avalanche. I just got a 01' core 4l80e from a 4wd im planning on attempting my first rebuild on and i came across this while i was doing research. Are the stronger straight cut gears and extra planet really worth digging for? i mean maybe for someone running nitrous or a really heavy truck or pulling? im not trying to sound like an *** here but wouldnt emphasis be better put into the weaker areas of the trans that are known to fail under high stress? How often do the planets fail under high stress where another failure didnt cause them to fail? Are they a weak point? I mean if u come across one it would make sense to choose it over the regular 80. Especially one out of a van with the slip yoke if u already have a driveshaft for a slip yoke. or i guess if ur trans needed a gear set u could order 85e planets vs the 80 planets. im still learning here but it seems i have come across more input shaft, sprag and epc failures than anything. Im still trying to trying to find out how they are offering two different gear ratios for these transmissions if supposedly all 80e's have the same ratios i figured maybe the 85 had a different ratio.

1989k1500

iTrader: (23)

All 80Es do have the same ratio. The other ratio offered is the same as a 60e

Leecostruck

thats a awesome looking truck 1989k1500! makes me miss the 91 c1500 i had.