If I'm not mistaken, the 7200 GVWR was the early gmt800 2500, non HD, 2wd trucks. They were 8 lug 2wd with coil springs. The 4x4 "2500LD" got a 8600 gvwr because of the torsion bars. I actually have a 2000 2500 6.0 all manual truck: manual windows door locks, tcase, and transmission.

 

Well, that's correct. I'm wrong on the 8600 GVWR :-(

I found this thread about the the early 99-00 2wd being 7200 GVWR: https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/top...-tow-capacity/ Although that one still has the MT1 transmission.

I did come across one of these at the wrecking yard once. A 2500 Non-HD 2wd with coil spring suspension. I didn't think to look at the door tag or RPO codes and both engine and transmission were gone. I was looking for a cluster with the transmission temperature guage for my 99, and this one did not have it.

 

I could be wrong here, but I "think" the 5.3 2500 trucks only came 2wd, and came with the 4l60e. I have seen 1 or 2 for sale here, ams they were 5.3 4l60e trucks. They may have been messed with. The 6.0 trucks, even 2wd, did indeed come with the 4l80e from what I have seen, or the nv4500.

They did some weird things 99-00. Supposedly the non-hd trucks never had the full floater 14 bolt, nor the 261 transfercase; my 2000 2500LD has both. I have the 8600gvwr, but I believe my towing rating is only around 7500 pounds because I have 3.73 gears.

 

Interesting. The 5.3/2500 non-HD are pretty rare. There's a thread we were having a discussing about them. Very possible they only came in 2wd variant, but the one's I've seen have had the 4L80e, usually in RCLB or EC configuration. I'll have to find one and look at the tags.

Yes, that was my understanding as well about the 14 bolt on those trucks having the semi float. The difference is probably your manual transmission then that made it come with the full float axle. I didn't know any of those had the full float. I believe in the late GMT 400 series, that was also the case if they came with the NV4500.

The transition years of the trucks are always kinda screwy.

 

you never really notice how inferior your truck is until things start breaking or new year models come out. would be nice to have a 6l80 or an 8l90 in a passenger suv, not necessarily meant for towing or heavy duty work. Mustangs now have 10 speeds compared to the 4 speeds of yesterdays olds. If I had a million bucks to put into my truck it would be indestructible but why do that when I could just buy something new and have that new car smell and nostalgia

 

Holley just released their 6 speed controller to go with their newest ECU operation system. I created a thread recently.@RDF1 is working on doing a swap at the moment so hang tight.

Word is that GM 8 speeds are not too bueno? 🤕 My buddy has one and he's like at 60k miles. 🤞


Jury is still out on the Ford/GM 10 speeds. Until last week, reviews were favorable. But this week I read an article that there's a class action suit against Ford on them.🤦 Who knows.

 

8 speeds blow ***

I love the 10 speeds. I got smoked by a 5.0/10 speed RCSB in the extended cab a couple weeks ago.

 

my first 6 speed was an automatic in a Lincoln Navigator. The ZF 6 speed. Shifted like world class. Then I had 6 speed manuals in the 3 terminator cobras I’ve owned. Not sure what my g8 gt and 09 cts-v had. I was so disappointed that my 08 Cadillac dts had a fwd 4 speed.

 

have had my trans on the garage floor all week. Got a trade plus some cash for 80 with most of the conversion swap components. The 65e came in the 05 Yukon Denali with awd. This should be fun and also a big learning experience for me

 

So which one did you decide on? 🤔

The ZF 6 speeds automatics (and I think the 8 speeds?) are the real deal. I believe the Rams 1500s run those transmissions.