TR-6060 transmission on a M1010? Anybody done it?

[adf5565]

6.2/6.5 Diesel 6L80E/6L90E 6 Speed Conversion Kit

Everything you need, except the transmission, to swap a true 6 speed automatic behind your 6.2 or 6.5 diesel! This will work with both mechanical and electronic injection trucks (DB2 or DS4) and 6L80 or 6L90 transmission. This kit will require the willingness to perform final tuning on your...

quadstartuning.com

 

[chevymike]

Sweet but that price... WOW!

 

[ballencd]

I'm in full agreement with you on the price. Sounds like you also have to be careful what transmission version you get plus need to be able to do programming after install. I don't know how to do that at this point but sure would like a 6 speed vs the 4 speed. I'm looking for a late model 6L80-e to see what they cost. I'm not sure I want the first kit off the assembly line either.

The kit I was looking at was the TCM2650 from ZeroGravity. I got this from them:
"The TCM2650 is not a standalone Controller. The TCM2650 is a gateway module that will get most GM 6L80E/90E and 8L90E transmissions running behind any engine. It requires a Throttle Position and Engine RPM signal. You will still need to have the factory transmission controller
programmed for the 6L50E, 6L80E, 6L90E and 8L90E. You do not need this module if you are running a GM ECM with 58X operating system
(2007 or newer ). To modify shift feel and shift points and TCC lock up you will need to use Hptuners or EFI live. That is all performed in
the factory TCM. The TCM does not output anything to the engine. "

Looks like a torque converter and tuning program would still be needed along with a TPS (which I think we already have on the CUCV engine and a tachometer signal which probably is not terrible to configure.

 

[ballencd]

Mike, Do you know if the TCM is actually in the transmission of just connected to it in the 6L80-E....?

 

[ballencd]

I was just watching a video on a guy who did a 2WD 6L90E to NP208 transfer case. The output shaft on the 2WD 6L90E was larger in diameter and 36 spline, versus the CUCV NP208 32 spline. He had machine shop reduce the diameter and cut 32 splines. I am not sure if this is an issue with a 4WD 6Lx0E or not.

I have the original TH400 with a Gear Vendor OD and 33" tall tires on my M1010. I can cruise at 65mph and can reach 80 if I am push it hard. Another option, might be a 4L80E with a GV unit. That would give you double overdrive BUT also gear splitting. Not a cheap solution but another option.

What RPM are you running at 65 mph with your GV OD?

 

[chevymike]

What RPM are you running at 65 mph with your GV OD?

Between 2500-2600 RPM's. Keep in mind, that is with 33" tall tires.

 

[79Vette]

In my opinion the tr6060 is a very poor choice for an off road/truck transmission. If you just want to cruise the highway however that is what the 6060 was designed for and it could be a good option.

With only 3.0 reduction in first gear compared to 5.5-6.5 reduction in an SM465 or NV4500, the overdrive doesn't really help you that much. When off road or towing, a tr6060 in 1st with 4.56 gears will have the same total reduction as an SM465 in 1st with about 2.08 gears, if that was even possible. (2.97 x 4.56 = 13.54, while 6.55 x 2.08 = 13.62)

What you're looking for in an off road/towing trans isn't the deepest overdrive, but the largest gear spread between the bottom and top ratio. In the tr6060 that is 2.97 / 0.63 = 4.71, in a SM465 it's 6.55 / 1.0 = 6.55. If you're willing to give up all the low gearing that comes with a truck/4x4 transmission, you might as well just run a cheap SM465 with really tall axle gears to get your highway speed instead. You'll get better mileage that way too, because the lower reduction hypoid gears in the rear axle will have less loss compared to a higher ratio and a 1:1 ratio in the main transmission will be more mechanically efficient than another gear stage (overdrive).

 

[nyoffroad]

A lot of this gear ratio talk is lost on me, but knowing that the 6.2 is such a power house and torque monster why would you want any tranny that has a double over drive? A M1010 is heavy to start with, get it loaded for camping or whatever and it's not going to go very fast except downhill!

 

[Ilikemtb999]

In my opinion the tr6060 is a very poor choice for an off road/truck transmission. If you just want to cruise the highway however that is what the 6060 was designed for and it could be a good option.

With only 3.0 reduction in first gear compared to 5.5-6.5 reduction in an SM465 or NV4500, the overdrive doesn't really help you that much. When off road or towing, a tr6060 in 1st with 4.56 gears will have the same total reduction as an SM465 in 1st with about 2.08 gears, if that was even possible. (2.97 x 4.56 = 13.54, while 6.55 x 2.08 = 13.62)

What you're looking for in an off road/towing trans isn't the deepest overdrive, but the largest gear spread between the bottom and top ratio. In the tr6060 that is 2.97 / 0.63 = 4.71, in a SM465 it's 6.55 / 1.0 = 6.55. If you're willing to give up all the low gearing that comes with a truck/4x4 transmission, you might as well just run a cheap SM465 with really tall axle gears to get your highway speed instead. You'll get better mileage that way too, because the lower reduction hypoid gears in the rear axle will have less loss compared to a higher ratio and a 1:1 ratio in the main transmission will be more mechanically efficient than another gear stage (overdrive).

I wonder if the OP meant the TR-4050 which is a solid replacement for the nv4500.

 

[ballencd]

Nope, the OP did mean 6060 for a M1010 camper build. I am wanting to be able to do highway speeds and some off road but nothing hard....just don't want to get stuck. The truck has the TH400 in it now and will only do 55 mph without over revving the engine on the road. I do want to be able to tow light loads of 4-6K on occasion but rarely and not for long distance. The 6060 gives a nice range as would the auto 6L80 but IMO they are both too expensive so I am looking at other options.....axles to start 3.42 or 3.73 and possibly a 4L60 instead of having to swap out the auto for a manual. I don't know much about axles so I hesitate changing them out. The vehicle only has about 19000 miles on it so mostly new all the way around. I need to be able to travel long distances at highway speeds mostly as we ware wanting to camp across the country in this rig.