Used Chevrolet Suburban Transmissions
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt transmissions for the 1989-to-present Chevrolet Suburban — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your Suburban and we’ll match the right unit.
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Transmission Options
Which transmission does your Suburban have?
Which transmission a Suburban has depends first on whether it is a 1500 or a 2500. The 1500 began with the hydraulic 700R4 four-speed, later renamed the 4L60, took the electronic 4L60-E for 1993, went to the 6L80 six-speed in 2009–2010 and to the 10L80 ten-speed on the 2019 RST and then every 2021-on model. The heavier 2500 had the THM400 three-speed until the electronic 4L80-E arrived for 1991, with the 4L85-E behind the 2001–2006 8.1L, then the 6L90 from 2008 until the 2500 was dropped after 2013. The fleet-only 3500HD of 2016–2019 also used the 6L90.
The table below shows what went with which engine and year. We confirm the exact unit from your VIN.
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 700R4 / 4L60 four-speed automatic | Code: MD8 | Suburban 1500. Hydraulic control, with line pressure set by a throttle-valve cable. |
| THM400 three-speed automatic | Suburban 2500. Hydraulic, with no overdrive. | |
| 4L80-E four-speed automatic | Code: MT1 | Suburban 2500 from 1991. Electronic shift control. |
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4L60 four-speed automatic | Code: MD8 | Suburban 1500 with the 5.7L, 1992 only. Hydraulic, the same unit as the 700R4. |
| 4L60-E four-speed automatic | Code: M30 | Suburban 1500 with the 5.7L, 1993–1999. |
| 4L80-E four-speed automatic | Code: MT1 | Suburban 2500, gasoline and diesel. |
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4L60-E four-speed automatic | Code: M30 | Suburban 1500 with the 5.3L. |
| 4L65-E four-speed automatic | Code: M32 | 2006 Suburban 1500 LTZ with the 6.0L. |
| 4L80-E four-speed automatic | Code: MT1 | Suburban 2500 with the 6.0L. |
| 4L85-E four-speed automatic | Suburban 2500 with the 8.1L, 2001–2006. |
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4L60-E four-speed automatic | Code: M30 | Suburban 1500, standard 2007–2009. |
| 6L80 six-speed automatic | Code: MYC | Suburban 1500: optional for 2009, standard 2010–2014. |
| 4L80-E four-speed automatic | Code: MT1 | Suburban 2500, 2007 only. |
| 6L90 six-speed automatic | Code: MYD | Suburban 2500, 2008–2013. |
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6L80 six-speed automatic | Code: MYC | All 5.3L models. |
| 10L80 ten-speed automatic | RST with the 6.2L, 2019–2020. | |
| 6L90 six-speed automatic | Code: MYD | Suburban 3500HD fleet model with the 6.0L, 2016–2019. |
| Transmission | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10L80 ten-speed automatic | Standard with every engine, diesel included. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
1500 or 2500
The 2500’s THM400, 4L80-E, 4L85-E and 6L90 are heavier units than the 1500’s 700R4, 4L60-E and 6L80, and the two trucks differ in frame and axles as well. The quote form lists the 1500 and 2500 separately, so pick the right one.
Hydraulic or electronic
The 1500’s four-speed is the hydraulic 700R4/4L60 through 1992 and the computer-controlled 4L60-E from 1993; the 2500 gained the electronic 4L80-E for 1991 in place of the hydraulic THM400. An electronic unit needs the engine computer and wiring it was built for, so it is no direct replacement for an earlier hydraulic one.
Match the engine
Within one generation the transmission can change with the engine: the 2000–2006 Suburban 1500 has the 4L60-E behind the 5.3L but the 4L65-E behind the 2006 LTZ’s 6.0L, and the 2019–2020 model has the 6L80 behind the 5.3L but the 10L80 behind the RST’s 6.2L. The engine code tells us which.
The 2009 changeover
A 2009 Suburban 1500 can have either the 4L60-E or the 6L80. The RPO code on the Service Parts Identification label, or your VIN, tells us which one was fitted.
Programming after fitting
A replacement 6L80, 6L90 or 10L80 usually has to be programmed to the Suburban before it will shift correctly, so allow for that when you plan the installation.
Have your VIN ready
With the VIN we can confirm the transmission, engine and drive type before we quote, which avoids ordering the wrong version.
Common Problems
Common Suburban transmission problems
Throttle-valve cable — 700R4 and 4L60, 1989–1992
The hydraulic 700R4 takes its line pressure from a cable linked to the throttle. If that cable is misadjusted, stretched or broken, pressure falls, shifts go soft and late, and the clutches slip and burn. The cable has to be checked and adjusted after any throttle-body or engine work, and before a replacement unit is driven.
3–4 clutch and sun shell — 700R4, 4L60 and 4L60-E, 1989–2009
The two classic failures on a high-mileage 1500 four-speed are a burned 3–4 clutch pack, which leaves the Suburban without third or fourth and revving on the 2–3 shift, and a broken reaction sun shell, which takes reverse, second and fourth. Both usually mean a rebuild or a replacement.
6L80 — wave plate, converter and control module, 2009–2020
The 6L80’s 3-5-R wave plate can fatigue and crack, taking away third, fifth and reverse and often damaging its drum. Torque-converter lining can break up and clog the pump and the internal control module, and that module can also fail on its own.
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FAQ
Suburban transmission questions, answered
Which transmission does my Suburban have?
A 1500 has the 700R4/4L60 to 1992 and the 4L60-E as standard from 1993 to 2009, with the 4L65-E behind the 2006 LTZ’s 6.0L. The 6L80 was optional for 2009 and standard from 2010 to 2020, except on the 2019–2020 RST 6.2L, which has the 10L80; every model since 2021 has the 10L80. A 2500 has the THM400 until the 4L80-E arrived for 1991, the 4L80-E through 2007 — the 4L85-E with the 2001–2006 8.1L — and the 6L90 from 2008 to 2013. The 2016–2019 3500HD has the 6L90 too. Send us your VIN and we will confirm.
Did the Suburban ever have the 8L90 eight-speed?
No. The 2015–2020 Suburban used the 6L80 with the 5.3L, the 10L80 with the RST 6.2L and the 6L90 in the 3500HD; the eight-speed went into the GMC Yukon XL Denali instead, so 8L90 faults do not apply to a Suburban. The RPO code on the Service Parts Identification label confirms which unit yours has.
Can a 2500 use a transmission from a 1500?
No. The 2500 had heavier transmissions matched to its bigger engines — the THM400, 4L80-E, 4L85-E and 6L90 — and the 1500’s units are different parts. Choose the Suburban 2500 in the quote form and we will match the right one.
Is the transmission covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every transmission we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your Suburban transmission?
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