Transmission Buying Guide: Every Major Auto Trans (2026 Update)

This is our 350th transmission article — a complete buyer guide to every major automatic transmission family in the US market. Use this to pick the right parts, understand whats in your truck, and shop smart.

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GM Family Transmissions

4L60E / 4L65E / 4L70E (1993-2014):

  • 4-speed automatic, light-duty
  • ~360-480 ft-lb stock rating
  • Most-used GM truck/SUV trans
  • Beast sun shell + GPZ clutches = HD upgrade
  • Browse: 4L60E catalog

    • 4L80E / 4L85E (1991-2009):

  • 4-speed HD truck trans
  • ~440 ft-lb stock, 800+ HD
  • Massive aftermarket support
  • Race-ready with billet
  • Browse: 4L80E catalog

    • 6L80 / 6L90 (2006-2017):

  • 6-speed modern GM
  • ~440-590 ft-lb stock
  • Better MPG, less HD aftermarket than 4L80E
  • Common in 1500-3500 trucks
  • Browse: 6L80 catalog

    • 8L90 (2015+):

  • 8-speed automatic
  • ~590 ft-lb stock
  • 3-5-7 clutch shudder common issue
  • Mobil 1 ATF LV required

    • 10L80 (2018+):

  • 10-speed automatic (GM/Ford joint)
  • ~700 ft-lb stock
  • Limited aftermarket so far

    • Ford Family Transmissions

    AOD / AODE (1980-1995):

  • 4-speed hydraulic (AOD) or electronic (AODE)
  • ~300-350 ft-lb stock
  • Classic Ford trans

    • 4R70W / 4R75W (1996-2008):

  • 4-speed automatic
  • ~440-470 ft-lb stock
  • F-150 and Mustang GT applications
  • Browse: 4R70W catalog

    • 4R100 / 5R110W (1998-2010):

  • 4-speed and 5-speed HD Powerstroke trans
  • ~525-800 ft-lb stock
  • Billet input shaft required for tuned

    • 6R80 (2009-2017):

  • 6-speed automatic
  • ~520 ft-lb stock
  • F-150 standard
  • Browse: 6R80 catalog

    • 6R140 TorqShift (2011-2019):

  • 6-speed HD 6.7L Powerstroke trans
  • ~800-925 ft-lb stock
  • HD truck trans

    • 10R80 (2017+):

  • 10-speed automatic
  • ~590 ft-lb stock
  • F-150 modern

    • Mopar / Cummins Transmissions

    47RE / 48RE (1996-2007):

  • 4-speed automatic with OD
  • Cummins 5.9L applications
  • ~440-570 ft-lb stock
  • Billet input shaft for tuned
  • Browse: 47RE/48RE catalog

    • 68RFE (2007.5+):

  • 6-speed Cummins 6.7L
  • ~750 ft-lb stock
  • HD sun shell + OD drum needed for tuned
  • Browse: 68RFE catalog

    • Aisin AS69RC (2013+ HO Cummins):

  • 6-speed Aisin-built
  • ~850-900 ft-lb stock
  • HO Ram 3500 trucks
  • AS68RC fluid required

    • GM/Duramax (Allison)

    Allison 1000 (2001+):

  • 5-speed (early) / 6-speed (2006+)
  • ~520-910 ft-lb stock varies by Duramax gen
  • Aftermarket HD options vast
  • TES-295 fluid required
  • Browse: Allison 1000 catalog

    • Allison 2400 (2002+):

  • Medium-duty truck version
  • ~850-1,150 ft-lb stock
  • C4500/C5500 and similar

    • Toyota / Aisin (Japanese-built)

    A340 / A343 (early):

  • 4-speed bulletproof
  • ~340 ft-lb stock
  • Tundra, Land Cruiser

    • A750E/F (2007-2009):

  • 5-speed
  • ~400 ft-lb
  • Tundra V6/V8

    • AB60F (2010+ 5.7L Tundra):

  • 6-speed HD
  • ~450 ft-lb stock

    • AW4 (Jeep Cherokee):

  • 4-speed Aisin
  • 1987-2001 XJ
  • ~340 ft-lb stock
  • Browse: AW4 family parts

    • Older Classic Trans

    Ford C6 (1966-1996):

  • 3-speed bulletproof
  • ~450-550 ft-lb stock
  • Drag race classic
  • Browse: C6 catalog

    • TH350 / TH400 (1969-1980s):

  • 3-speed GM classic
  • ~450-600 ft-lb stock
  • Restomod favorite

    • 700R4 (1982-1992):

  • 4-speed predecessor to 4L60E
  • ~300-350 ft-lb
  • Hydraulic with TV cable
  • Carb engine swap classic

    • Jeep Trans

    42RLE (2007-2011 JK):

  • 4-speed Mopar
  • 3.8L V6

    • NAG1 / W5A580 (2012-2018 JK):

  • 5-speed Mercedes-built
  • 3.6L Pentastar

    • 850RE (2018+ JL):

  • 8-speed ZF-derived
  • Multiple engine options

    • Decision criteria for buyers

    Buy decision: stock rebuild or HD?

  • Daily use: stock rebuild OK
  • Tow under 6,000 lbs: stock OK with aux cooler
  • Tow over 6,000 lbs: HD recommended
  • Tuned engine: HD required
  • Performance build: race-spec parts

    • Buy decision: rebuild or replace?

  • Truck under 200k: rebuild
  • Truck 200-300k: used trans or crate rebuild
  • Truck 300k+: weigh against truck value

    • Buy decision: shop or DIY?

  • DIY: $1,500-$4,000 typical (parts only)
  • Shop: add $1,500-$3,000 labor
  • DIY only if you have 20-30 hours and experience

    • Top 10 most-asked transmission questions

    1. Why does my transmission slip?

    2. When should I change trans fluid?

    3. Whats the difference between flush and drain?

    4. Can I prevent trans damage when tuning?

    5. How do I know what trans my truck has?

    6. Why does my TCC shudder?

    7. What does burnt fluid mean?

    8. How long can I drive on bad trans?

    9. Whats the cheapest fix vs rebuild?

    10. Can I do a trans rebuild myself?

    All of these are answered in detail in our 350-article catalog. Search by family or browse our collections.

    Service interval cheat sheet

    Stock daily use:

  • 4L60E / 4L65E: 50,000 miles
  • 4L80E: 50,000 miles
  • 6L80: 50,000 miles (despite "lifetime")
  • 47RE / 48RE / 68RFE: 60,000 miles
  • Allison 1000: 50,000 miles (both filters)
  • Ford 6R80 / 10R80: 60,000 miles
  • Toyota: 60,000 miles

    • Tow / tuned use:

  • All trans: 30,000 miles
  • Aux cooler mandatory

    • Fluid spec quick reference

    • 4L60E / 4L80E / 6L80: Dexron VI
    • 8L90: Mobil 1 ATF LV
    • 10L80: Mercon ULV
    • 47RE / 48RE / 68RFE: ATF+4
    • Allison 1000: TES-295
    • 4R70W / 6R80: Mercon LV (newer) or Mercon V
    • 5R110W: Mercon SP
    • Toyota: Toyota WS

    The most expensive mistakes to avoid

    Wrong fluid:

  • Each trans has specific fluid
  • Wrong fluid = $4,000+ rebuild
  • Always verify before service

    • Skipping aux cooler when towing:

  • Single biggest preventable wear cause
  • $200-$400 saves $4,000+ rebuild

    • Tuning without HD trans:

  • Tuned engine outpaces stock trans
  • Plan HD trans + tune together
  • Or rebuild within 50k miles

    • Skipping fluid service:

  • Burnt fluid = damaged clutches
  • 30-50k mile intervals critical

    • How to use our catalog

    Step 1: Identify your trans

  • VIN check, RPO code, or visual ID
  • Articles in our catalog by family

    • Step 2: Identify your need

  • Service item? Repair part? Full rebuild?
  • Each category has dedicated articles

    • Step 3: Browse the right collection

  • Direct links above to each family
  • Free shipping over $70
  • Same-day shipping on in-stock

    • Why we wrote 350 articles

    We started this catalog because every truck owner deserves straight answers on transmission parts. No fluff, no upsell pressure, just data and experience.

    Whether youre diagnosing a mystery noise, planning an HD rebuild, swapping to a stronger trans, or just trying to figure out which fluid to buy, our articles have the answer.

    This guide will keep growing as new trans families emerge and as we accumulate more data on whats working in the field. Bookmark it and check back for updates.

    Ready to shop? Browse by transmission family:

    Free shipping over $70. Same-day shipping on in-stock orders. Built right, priced fair.