PerformanceTrucks.net Forums - 4l80e vs 4x4 4wd 4l80e. whats the difference?

PerformanceTrucks.net Forums (https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/)

- GM Drivetrain & Suspension (https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/)

- - 4l80e vs 4x4 4wd 4l80e. whats the difference? (https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/4l80e-vs-4x4-4wd-4l80e-whats-difference-493876/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris092183 (Post 4833311)

Well for starters, the bell housing broke when I blew the drive shaft 15 minutes after I did the 4l80e conversion, which I found out when I was dropping the trans. 4 of the seven bolts held pieces of the bell housing to the engine when the transmission free'd up from the engine. Secondly, the clutches burned because I didn't utilize the longer 4l80e rear cooler line fitting in the rear of the case. So obviously I can't rebuild this unit. I can only salvage hard parts and the shift kit. So-Cal, where are you located?

Orange County

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince B (Post 4833472)

You do need to make sure that both output shafts use the same style lube systems. The later 97^ shafts do not have a lube hole in them while the earlier shafts do have a lube hole in them. Also when converting from a 4x4 to a 2wd you will need to install a lube orifice in the back of the case for the extension housing bushing. If you do not do this you will smoke the extension housing bushing and also a yoke. HTH Vince

Excellent Tech Vince!!! Can you describe the lube orifice you are reffering to in the back of the case, Is this like swaping to a different bushing to allow oil to flow past, Or do you have to drill a hole or something???

Thanks Again for your Vast Knowledge!!!

THANKS VINCE!!!!You are the man and as 1FastBrick said is that a hole to be drilled? How about those lube orifices?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FastBrick (Post 4833564)

Yes I guess its like a bushing so to speak. IMO its more like a little freeze plug with a hole in it with a rubber seal bonded to it. The seal is there to seal the extension housing to the case. With doing this it allows lube oil to lubricate the extension housing bushing for the 2wd yoke. If you look at this pic you will see the 4x4 freeze plug that will have to be replaced with the seal I mentioned above.
Attachment 144771

A pictures worth a thousand words!!! Thanks, I was thinking that the rear tail shaft bushing was different.
Much more obvious when you can see it.

I found another difference in the 4x4 and the 2wd. The left is the output carrier assembly from a 2wd, the right is the output carrier assembly from a 4x4. Notice the extra gear on the 2wd. This is a Reluctor wheel which works in conjunction with the rear 4L80E Speed sensor, 1991-UP. This is what measures output speed on the 2wd models. As you know, the 4x4 models have a rear vss dummy sensor, (i'm not sure if this is the case for all 4l80e's) so there would be no use for this reluctor wheel in a 4x4 being that the output speed is measures somewhere in the transfer case.

That being said the difference b/n a 2wd and a 4x4 are

2wd:
1. reluctor wheel
2. rear vss vehicle speed sensor
3. output shaft (varies depending on model) i.e. bolt on, slip yoke, year, chassis, etc
4. Lube cup orifice

4x4:

1. no reluctor wheel
2. rear vss dummy
3. output shaft (I think there are two different lengths) possibly because of two different transfer cases. np205 and np231?
4. lube cup has no orifice.

Rear the Vince's post regarding lube orifices and output shaft orifices in the thread.

Let me know if I am incorrect or if there is anything I left out. thanks guys.

Also, does anybody know if the relucor wheel is pressed on or what the process of installing would be? I am curious to know if I can just take the output carrier assembly from my 2wd unit and putting it in my 4x4 unit. Would they be incompatible like mismatching a bearing and race?

High five I finally learned to attach a photo to a post. What a pita resizing, finding a program, etc.

Let me know. Thanks guys!

If I am not mistaken you should be able to swap the rear planetary between 03 2wd - 07 4x4 with out an issue. Vince would probally be better able to answer that.

I believe there pressed on but you may not want to mess with it. If you damage the reluctor you will be in a world of hurt.

chris092183 very good point on the reluctor for the 2wd model. You can swap the planets providing that they are both from a 99 and later unit. Sonnax in the past advertised this sensor ring but I cant seem to find it on their site. This is the part # from one of my books. 34880-01 Its a pressed fit and is easy to do and I have done it in the past. I do apologize for not mentioning this. As far as the 4x4 shafts the only difference is early and late style. If you have an early unit it would have a lube hole in the bushing area of the shaft. In your case there is not a lube hole because of the 97 and up center lube hydraulics. HTH Vince

No need to apologize, I have gained much knowledge from your posts and look forward to reading more of them. How would you remove the orifice cup?

Thanks Vince

Regarding the lube cup orifice, I suggest you buy a 2wd unit if you want 2wd so you don't have to try to remove the cup from a 4x4 unit. It is a major PITA. I have been trying to get that little bastard out for about 3 hours without damaging the case.

See post 23 and 25

The 4x4/4wd unit has a steel (i think) cup which is different from the 2wd/2x4 lube cup orifice. the 2wdis made of a way softer material which canbe removed easily, so guys converting from 2wd to 4wd will have a way easier time.

Builders let me know what you think.