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Are the GM 8-speeds junk?

Posted on 4/24/21 at 11:52 pm
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/24/21 at 11:52 pm
So after the thread last week I decided to see what I could get for my 16 GMC, to my surprise almost 29K.

So while I like not having a note getting a new truck for 10-12K doesn't sound so bad. As well as I am starting to have concerns about the transmission in my truck. However most of the trucks I am seeing in my price range have the 8 speeds which iirc have been pretty shitty.

Have they been fixed or should one stay away from them?
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22820 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 3:04 am to
I have one in a 2020 with the 5.3, no issues ATM for me. That said I use my truck for a commuter vehicle 98% of the time and as a truck the other 2, and that's to pull my boat. Which is only about 3,000 lbs.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2794 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 6:36 am to
There are class action law suits because they are junk.
Always been a Chevy fan boy but wouldn't buy one because of their transmissions.
From the 700r4 on half ton Chevy transmissions have been horrible.

I have 4 square body's and all either have th400s or 4L80Es now
Posted by BAMBAM
Biloxi, MS
Member since Mar 2008
2473 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 7:20 am to
I had a 19 I just traded in with 30k miles. The only time I had an issue with the 8 speed was if your going slow and let off the accelerometer then go to speed up. When it down shifted it clunked really bad like scared the crap out of me when it did it the first time.

They reprogrammed the computer or something and made it better. It very rarely did it but it was worse when there was a huge temp drop from cool to freezing.

Just got the 10spd (just for a day) but it is a lot smoother. The 8 speed did fine under power and 98% but I rarely towed anything either.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14760 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 7:23 am to
quote:

GMC


quote:

As well as I am starting to have concerns about the transmission in my truck.


quote:

However most of the trucks I am seeing in my price range have the 8 speeds which iirc have been pretty shitty.


So let me sort this out...

Has GM.

Worried about transmission.

So OP Looks at another GM with possible transmission issues...

I am curious as to why you wouldn't look at other brands. Id look at other brands.
Posted by Sparky4240
Member since Dec 2019
7 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 7:28 am to
I've got a 2015 with the 8 speed, its a total POS! I have a little over 165K miles and on my third transmission. The first two lasted about 60K each before the torque converter crapped out. The current one is clunking and shaking right now.

I do tow trailers pretty often and that is some of the reason they haven't lasted. But its paid for and no note is quite nice.
Posted by dstone12
Texan
Member since Jan 2007
35819 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 7:59 am to
isnt there a class action lawsuit for every model of every mfg?

Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:03 am to
My 16 and the two GMs I had before all have the reliable 6 speeds. My current truck can act like it gets confused when quickly varying speeds. Dies something similar to what the poster above said.

As far as other trucks I am not buying a Yota or Dodge and Ford has the same transmissions. Supposedly the nee 10 speeds that both GM and Ford have a good.

Which I thought they were going to for all the new models? 21s

Well I may look at a dodge, still hear mix things on them.
This post was edited on 4/25/21 at 9:04 am
Posted by Yukon7
Louisiana
Member since May 2018
615 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:18 am to
quote:

starting to have concerns about the transmission in my truck



quote:

My 16 and the two GMs I had before all have the reliable 6 speeds



Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.


GM has inherently had transmission problems since i was a kid. I always remember anyone who had a GM product saying they needed to replace their transmission right around 100,000 -130,000 miles. And i say that as someone who owns a GM. For a while i was only buying Yota, but like everyone else i got tired of Toyota being so outdated. So i bought my wife a Yukon in ‘17. Holy shite, while it does drive smooth and looks good. It is a piece of shite, and reminded me why i stayed away for a while.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
80607 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:32 am to
quote:

So while I like not having a note getting a new truck for 10-12K doesn't sound so bad.


I’m in the same boat. I have a 2016 Tundra and the idea of a 2021 F150 or Ram for not much more money is intriguing. I’m interested in the power of the ecoboost or the comfort/looks of the Ram. GM trucks look good to me but only in the off road package and GM doesn’t make the 6.2L readily available.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:40 am to
My 01 had 276K when I sold it and only replaced the alternator and fuel pump. I would kept it if I could have afforded two vehicles. No issues with the 13/14 I had and have never really had any with my 16 until this trip to Houston.

Not sure if it is because I was running non ethanol through it then switched or what. A lot of the years before they went to the 8 speeds had clunky transmissions but not necessarily actual problems with them.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:41 am to
I guess I need to go look at the Dodges, I am just still very leery, talk about crappy transmissions.
Posted by turkish
Member since Aug 2016
2124 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:47 am to
GH, I’m curious, what new truck are you thinking you can get for $39-41k otd?

I have a 2017 that I think I’d be surprised about the trade-in, too.
This post was edited on 4/25/21 at 9:48 am
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
80607 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:51 am to
quote:

what new truck are you thinking you can get for $39-41k otd?


F150 XLT is what I’m thinking
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 9:53 am to
I am seeing some of the F150 STX-XLT and 1500 LTs for that range. Crewcab 4x4s. Closer to 41-43 but some in the 39K range.

As much as I would like a KR or SLT with AC seats I am way to cheap for that shite. I take my non-blooded jewism way too seriously to even contemplate spending 50-60K on a fricking 1/2 ton truck, or any truck really.
This post was edited on 4/25/21 at 9:54 am
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14760 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 10:04 am to
If y'all look for the XL packages you can save a ton new.

Then just katskinz them of you want leather.

Few years ago when I was looking Houston had three brand new 2017 crew cab 4wd f250 gassers XLs for 32000+ TTL. They were all white.

Lot of value there in that truck. If I wouldn't have found a great deal on a 2013 with 26k miles I would have bought one.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 10:21 am to
Yea if I can find a crew cab with a standard bed I will be a buyer. Only thing is I would like heated seats for my back but I guess I can live without.

Maybe get an aftermarket driver seat.
Posted by Yukon7
Louisiana
Member since May 2018
615 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 10:38 am to
I’m just as cheap as you

I seem to remember when i got my truck and got the katskinz , there was an option to add heated seats to it. That was 7 years ago so my memory isn’t that sharp.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14760 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 11:03 am to
I found a power seat for mine and swapped it out.

I like the adjustment. Couple hours i had it replaced.

Seat was out of a wrecked vehicle. Cost about $350
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20086 posts
Posted on 4/25/21 at 11:11 am to
I really wished they made more half tons with full size beds.
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