4l80e Service Questions

cvandegna · March 31, 2009

Hey all!

Planning a transmission service on my 2004 2500HD 6.0 (waiting on my filter to come in) - and have some questions for ya since I've never personally dropped the pan. I tow an 8800# RV, so I've decided to add some additional cooling and additional fluid capacity. I got a B&M 70295 Deep Pan and a B&M 70264 Plate Cooler from Summit that I'm going to be installing as well. I plan on doing the full fluid change including the TC and with the extra capacities for the pan and the larger cooler I expect to put in a whopping 19qts.

I didn't grab a transmission pan gasket - wasn't originally planning on needing it, but am assuming it's probably good insurance yes?
Anybody know offhand what the 2 fasteners are that hold the shifter bracket on that needs to be removed to drop the pan (are they hex or torx)?
Is there anything else I should be looking for or changing while I'm in there?

Any other tips/tricks ya'll can give are appreciated.

Draenor · March 31, 2009

Hey all!
Planning a transmission service on my 2004 2500HD 6.0 (waiting on my filter to come in) - and have some questions for ya since I've never personally dropped the pan. I tow an 8800# RV, so I've decided to add some additional cooling and additional fluid capacity. I got a B&M 70295 Deep Pan and a B&M 70264 Plate Cooler from Summit that I'm going to be installing as well. I plan on doing the full fluid change including the TC and with the extra capacities for the pan and the larger cooler I expect to put in a whopping 19qts.

I didn't grab a transmission pan gasket - wasn't originally planning on needing it, but am assuming it's probably good insurance yes? Yes get a new one.

Anybody know offhand what the 2 fasteners are that hold the shifter bracket on that needs to be removed to drop the pan (are they hex or torx)?Torx IIRC #10?

Is there anything else I should be looking for or changing while I'm in there? Do a general inspection. Clean out the magnet on the pan.

Any other tips/tricks ya'll can give are appreciated.Hope you purchased a filter for a deep pan

cvandegna · March 31, 2009

Hope you purchased a filter for a deep pan

I ordered the WIX 58608, which is the only filter Amsoil shows for the 4L80E. The pan came with an extension though.

Speaking of filters - has anybody installed an external filter to their 4L80E? What did you use?

perform95 · March 31, 2009

Hope you purchased a filter for a deep pan

I ordered the WIX 58608, which is the only filter Amsoil shows for the 4L80E. The pan came with an extension though.

Speaking of filters - has anybody installed an external filter to their 4L80E? What did you use?

if the pan came with the extension then you be fine.....you can reuse the old pan gasket if there is no damage to it when removing it .... most are the one with the metal sandwiched between the rubber.....

cvandegna · April 1, 2009

Thanks!

Did a bit more research yesterday and found two aux transmission filter kits - 1 from B&M and 1 from Perma-Cool. Short story is I crossed both recommended filters and check the WIX application guide. Looks like I'm going to install a remote mount spin on filter.

WIX 51622 Filter, spin-on transmission

WIX 24762 Mount, vertical outlet

or

WIX 24764 Mount, horizontal outlet

I need to crawl under and see where I'd mount it to figure outwhich outlets I'll go with. Thinking also about valving it so I can bypass it for changing and in case something goes wrong on the road. Guess I'm going by Lowes to checkout NPT fittings...

cvandegna · May 19, 2009

Well...

I finally got enough time to do the transmission service. Holy freaking mess. Definitely recommend having a buddy to help you with the pan drop - will be a lot easier than by yourself with a jack. Good thing I put a sheet of plastic down. Admittedly though a lot of my problem was splashing from the height of my truck.

Typical residue in the fluid - but better condition than I expected honestly. No metal to speak of which was a welcome sight. Problem though was I was unable to install the B&M deep pan - wouldn't clear the crossmember, and the measurement was just too close for me to undo the stabilizer bars on my lift kit, drop the crossmember, and then have it not clear after all. Changed the filter, cleaned the stock pan and slapped it back on. If anybody wants this pan I'll probably be selling it.

Not too worried since I put the B&M plate cooler in the stock cooler location, and bolted a WIX remote spin on hydraulic filter up in my ranch hand bumper. Cut the hardlines and ran hydraulic hose to barbed fittings throughout. No runs, no drips, no errors so far. Keep your fingers crossed - am going to pickup the RV from storage for a trip this weekend. Hopefully things are sturdy enough.

I'll try and snap some pictures today.

vertikal · May 27, 2009

Well...

I finally got enough time to do the transmission service. Holy freaking mess. Definitely recommend having a buddy to help you with the pan drop - will be a lot easier than by yourself with a jack. Good thing I put a sheet of plastic down. Admittedly though a lot of my problem was splashing from the height of my truck.

Typical residue in the fluid - but better condition than I expected honestly. No metal to speak of which was a welcome sight. Problem though was I was unable to install the B&M deep pan - wouldn't clear the crossmember, and the measurement was just too close for me to undo the stabilizer bars on my lift kit, drop the crossmember, and then have it not clear after all. Changed the filter, cleaned the stock pan and slapped it back on. If anybody wants this pan I'll probably be selling it.

Not too worried since I put the B&M plate cooler in the stock cooler location, and bolted a WIX remote spin on hydraulic filter up in my ranch hand bumper. Cut the hardlines and ran hydraulic hose to barbed fittings throughout. No runs, no drips, no errors so far. Keep your fingers crossed - am going to pickup the RV from storage for a trip this weekend. Hopefully things are sturdy enough.

I'll try and snap some pictures today.

I'm in same situation,6.o liter gas eng, 2004,chevy 2500LT quadrasteer, short box auto trans same as you , pulling 32' 5thwheel with dry weight of 9440 lbs., 14,000lb max, but wont ever tow it like that.

Thinking of going 1st with a trans oil cooler w/a thermostat controlled elect fan which cycles at 175 degrees, it's a B&m product...I like the idea of a external spin on transmission oil filter, I'll have to check on that.

May take it to Chevrolet to do these things as I have an extended warranty and dont want to risk voiding it.

I'd like to follow your progress, thanks JD

Chevyjet52 · June 2, 2009

I had the same pan clearance problem with my 4L80. I ended up shimming the cross member to where it barley clears the pan. Been that way for over 6 months, working good. The shims are not noticable and the cross member looks normal.

brims · June 2, 2009

I'm in same situation,6.o liter gas eng, 2004,chevy 2500LT quadrasteer, short box auto trans same as you , pulling 32' 5thwheel with dry weight of 9440 lbs., 14,000lb max, but wont ever tow it like that.

Thinking of going 1st with a trans oil cooler w/a thermostat controlled elect fan which cycles at 175 degrees, it's a B&m product...I like the idea of a external spin on transmission oil filter, I'll have to check on that.

May take it to Chevrolet to do these things as I have an extended warranty and dont want to risk voiding it.

I'd like to follow your progress, thanks JD

I've heard those fans actually block air when they aren't running.

cvandegna · June 2, 2009

I had the same pan clearance problem with my 4L80. I ended up shimming the cross member to where it barley clears the pan. Been that way for over 6 months, working good. The shims are not noticable and the cross member looks normal.

Did you shim it at the frame and the transmission mount? How thick was the shim?

vertikal · July 10, 2009

I'm in same situation,6.o liter gas eng, 2004,chevy 2500LT quadrasteer, short box auto trans same as you , pulling 32' 5thwheel with dry weight of 9440 lbs., 14,000lb max, but wont ever tow it like that.

Thinking of going 1st with a trans oil cooler w/a thermostat controlled elect fan which cycles at 175 degrees, it's a B&m product...I like the idea of a external spin on transmission oil filter, I'll have to check on that.

May take it to Chevrolet to do these things as I have an extended warranty and dont want to risk voiding it.

I'd like to follow your progress, thanks JD

I've heard those fans actually block air when they aren't running.

yes i think your right, seems it would block air flow so maybe a remote cooler w/fan attached somewhere out of way of air flow

vertikal · August 20, 2009

I'm in same situation,6.o liter gas eng, 2004,chevy 2500LT quadrasteer, short box auto trans same as you , pulling 32' 5thwheel with dry weight of 9440 lbs., 14,000lb max, but wont ever tow it like that.

Thinking of going 1st with a trans oil cooler w/a thermostat controlled elect fan which cycles at 175 degrees, it's a B&m product...I like the idea of a external spin on transmission oil filter, I'll have to check on that.

May take it to Chevrolet to do these things as I have an extended warranty and dont want to risk voiding it.

I'd like to follow your progress, thanks JD

I've heard those fans actually block air when they aren't running.

yes i think your right, seems it would block air flow so maybe a remote cooler w/fan attached somewhere out of way of air flow

also driving Carolinas in a 2500 6.o,cc,shortwheel base w/ 4l80e 4 spd trans, can i make one or possibly two trips to snokies , 30 min. 9 degree grade through those mountainous climbs that take 45 min to complete w/out ruining trans w/extra cap oil cooler of course

96chevy7.4L · August 24, 2009

If you haven't got the B&M 70264 cooler hold off and get the 24,000GVW cooler. Your transmission will thank you. Also the B&M pan is nice but look at the Derale Cooling tube pan also. Just a few things to consider. I use the two mentioned products on my 1 ton dually and my trans run really cool which is great. 150 max unloaded in alabama and Florida heat. And 165-170 loaded with 9,000 pounds of bobcat on my gooseneck behind me. Just my opinion.