What trucks have a 4L80e transmission?
The 4L80-E is General Motors’ heavy‑duty four‑speed automatic, used primarily in 2500/3500‑class pickups, full‑size SUVs, and certain vans from the 1990s into the mid‑2000s. It’s not common in today’s light‑duty trucks, which moved to newer four‑ and six‑speed designs.
Overview
The 4L80-E, pronounced “four‑L‑eighty‑E,” is an electronically controlled four‑speed automatic designed for higher torque and heavier payloads than GM’s lighter 4L60-E. It was paired with large V8s and diesel options and found its way into GM’s heavier pickups and large SUVs. Over time, GM shifted toward newer six‑speed transmissions, and the 4L80-E was gradually phased out of most mainstream models, remaining in some late‑1990s to early‑2000s configurations and fleet vans for a period.
Which GM trucks used the 4L80-E?
Below are the primary GM platforms that employed the 4L80-E across different body styles and model years. Exact availability varied by engine, drivetrain, and trim level.
Pickup trucks
GM’s heavy‑duty pickups relied on the 4L80‑E in several generations, particularly for 2500 and 3500 chassis and load‑bearing variants. The 4L80‑E was commonly found behind large V8s and diesel options in these trucks.
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD / GMC Sierra 2500HD (and earlier 2500/3500 heavy‑duty pickups in the GM C/K lineage)
Note: The 4L80‑E appeared primarily in the heavy‑duty 2500/3500 lines rather than the light‑duty 1500 series, with model year and engine pairing dictating exact transmission use. Some late‑model 2500/3500 fleets also saw 4L80‑E in express or cab‑chassis configurations.
SUVs
GM’s large SUVs used the 4L80‑E in several generations, especially when equipped with punchy V8s and larger payloads. This includes full‑size family SUVs intended for towing and heavy hauling.
- Chevrolet Suburban / Tahoe and GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (various years with appropriate V8s)
Again, year‑by‑year availability depended on engine options and generation; some later SUVs moved to newer six‑speed transmissions.
Vans
In GM’s cargo and passenger van lineup, the 4L80‑E saw duty behind heavier 2500/3500 configurations in the Express and Savana lines during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Chevrolet Express 2500/3500 and GMC Savana 2500/3500
These vans often served fleet and commercial roles where higher torque handling was valuable.
Variants and notes
GM produced a strengthened derivative, the 4L85‑E, for some heavy‑duty applications and later re‑tuned variants; however, the basic 4L80‑E design was the baseline for many 2500/3500 trucks and full‑size SUVs for a time. As GM transitioned to newer powertrain architectures in the late 2000s and 2010s, the 4L80‑E was gradually displaced by other four‑ and six‑speed automatics in most mainstream models, with its use now largely limited to older vehicles in the used market or certain fleet configurations.
Summary
The 4L80‑E served GM’s heavy‑duty pickup and SUV lineup for many years, primarily in 2500/3500‑class trucks (and their full‑size SUV counterparts) as well as some Express/Savana vans. It provided robust torque handling for large engines and was eventually supplanted by newer transmissions as GM modernized its lineup. If you’re buying a used GM heavy‑duty truck from the 1990s or early 2000s, the 4L80‑E is a key detail to confirm for maintenance, parts availability, and compatibility with engines and drivetrains.
