What kind of transmission does my 99 Chevy Suburban 4x4 350 vortec have?

Answer 1

i am looking for a vehicle like yours to purchase so i just happen to

know the answer to your question is

if you have the 1500 series (1/2 ton) suburban then you

have a 4L60-e is the transmission.

if you have the 2500 series 3/4 ton suburban then you

have the 4L80-e

a nice overview of all suburban models can be found at http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=46027

sort of a history... you 1999 sounds like it has the most upgraded of these

transmissions and from my research one of the best years for a suburban,

but I'm a total novice to this realm... though a jillion years ago i owned

a 1950 Suburban!

the 4L60-e is a lighter transmission that the one they used in the larger

heavier 2500 model Suburban.

if you HAVE the 2500 model of that year then you have the 4L80-e which

is heavier duty, handles more strain on it, and may have a few other advantages...

the 2500 model vehicle has the advantage of carrying HUGE weight loads or

pulling heavier trailers

the 1500 model gets better gas mileage and (if you are comparing 4x4 models, but

not necessarily in 2x4 models... I'm not sure) you have a tighter turning radius

which is good.

i would double check all this info as i am ignorant, basically, but bumped into

this knowledge, mostly, yesterday of all things.

both transmissions, i assume, are 4speed automatics with overdrives.

apparently, someone told me, the heavier 4l80e, has an advantageous "lockup"

component that has to do with getting to a certain speed and the the gears

lock into place giving advantages, including adding some gas mileage... i'd

be curious if they added this component to the lighter weight transmission

by the time your model vehicle came out. if you run into such a piece

of esoteric knowledge please tell me (roreeewhite@hotmail.com put under

subject "transmission" or i will think it's spam).

the 1500,nevertheles, lockup thing or not, is going to get better mpg

because it's a lighter vehicle not having the much heavier axle or whatever

in the back.

the smaller of the two v8 engines, also, offers better gas mileage, and the bigger

one is best, only, for carrying very heavy loads or trailers.

the nice historical overview of the suburban also describing your transmission and

it's changes (but in general terms) is again at http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=46027

a, seemingly esoteric, website ON the transmissions... way beyond me

and maybe for supe-ing up the transmissions, or perhaps strenghthening

them is: http://www.4l60-e.com/#4L60E%20to%204L80E