60L80E, air suspension, and a general question

[The Professional]

Just trying to get some facts straight. Hope you guys can help.

Is the 60L80E a plug-and-play type transmission for the pre-2008? Are there other things that need to be addressed when doing this swap?

I do not tow/haul that often but when I do it can be moderately heavy. Seems like every page has 1 or 2 threads about air suspension issues. The truck will be used as a utility vehicle seeing off and on road conditions, in the mountains. Keeping that in mind and my tow/hauling habits, what is the populace opinion on the air suspension, in my case?

I'm assuming the 6l output could be made to mimic the 6.2l. Is this correct?

I'm simply trying to get a sense of what it would take to fill the gap between performance in the pre-2008 and 2008 so that I can see where the better deal is. The interior change is a moot point for me. Both are nice imo.

Keep in mind, I'm good with a wrench and most work would be done by me. Thanks everyone.

[The Professional]

Anything fellas?

We can start with the air suspension question!? :grouphug:

[Hellz]

i dont have a answer about the tranny... it does make sense that it will be compatible, but for which engine are you talking about?

you never said what year of a H2 you have. so do you have a 6.0L or the 6.2?

i dont know if you can swap the tranny from a 6.2 to a 6.0.... but, i would not be surprised if there is a adapter plate that will allow this.

as for the air ride....

the #1 problem is old, cracked leaking airbags. if you notice your pump is always on, check the bags and replace right away.. i find teh bags for only $80 on ebay all day long, where as the pump is about $800..

so check and replace the bags before the pump burns out, and it will take care of you.. or, for about $200 you can buy springs and switch it over to a coil system and you can either leave the pump in for filling tires or what not, or you can completly remove it.


as for perforamce....

the newer models only have about 20ish more HP than the older one.. the biggest benefit is teh tranny being 6 spd, where as the old one is only 4 spd.

fnt/rear diff gears should still be the same at 4.10.

same t-case.

20 HP is easy to make up with the 6.0 with a little cash..
most expensive to cheapest:
Turbo charger
exhaust
headers
maybe CAI
perf tuner

any combination of the above can get you nearly 20 hp if not more

lose whatever extra weight you dont need to lighten the vech will help.
use higher octane gas
better spark plugs and wires.

also for the tranny, i would recommend changing to the external tranny cooler if your doing alot of hauling.

im sure other people here have alot more input than me, and prolyl more accurate

[MVR 155]

as for perforamce....

the newer models only have about 20ish more HP than the older one.. the biggest benefit is teh tranny being 6 spd, where as the old one is only 4 spd.

fnt/rear diff gears should still be the same at 4.10.

same t-case.

20 HP is easy to make up with the 6.0 with a little cash..
most expensive to cheapest:
Turbo charger
exhaust
headers
maybe CAI
perf tuner

any combination of the above can get you nearly 20 hp if not more

lose whatever extra weight you dont need to lighten the vech will help.
use higher octane gas
better spark plugs and wires.

also for the tranny, i would recommend changing to the external tranny cooler if your doing alot of hauling.

im sure other people here have alot more input than me, and prolyl more accurate


Actually the 2008/2009 models have alot more than 20 more HP.....

The pre 2008 models had 325HP and 365ft/lbs. of torque, the 2008/2009 models have 393HP and 415ft/lbs. of torque.
Basically 70 more horsepower and 50 more ft/lbs. of torque.

We just came out of our 2006 into a 2008 a couple months back and there is really nothing we miss about the 2006 with the best improvement being in the interior.... the 2008 is noticably quicker and more powerful but at the end of the day the H2 is not some hot rod, its a big pig heavy A$$ truck that was not meant to be raced around so short of when Im towing the power isnt that big of a deal..... its just nice to have on tap when necessary.

[The Professional]

Appreciate the responses.

I'm looking at 06-08 models. I'm familiar with the model year differences and the only one that causes pause when considering a pre-08 is the transmission.

Interior upgrades don't mean much to me and the motor is a moot point even at 65+ hp increase.

I just didn't know if people had tried putting the 6speed trans to a 6L motor. My limited mechanical knowledge makes me believe it not only be possible but easy. :confused:

The air suspension: As I understand it, the main purpose is leveling the ride under load. Is there another benefit? Do all those benefits outweigh it's issues? How prevalent are those issues? :confused:

I'm trying to decide on sucking it up and spending the cash on an 08 or saving some dough and getting an 06 and swap the transmission. Also, trying to figure if the air suspension is worth it.

Thanks guys.

[HummerMann]

I have an '06 and an '09 H2. The power difference is CONSIDERABLE! It tows with ease and accelerates MUCH faster than the '06. It also gets better mpgs by about 3 mpg. You have to get used to that 6 speed shifting all the time. I like the interior on my wife's '09, but you can't rest your arm on the window ledge like you can on the '06. We only have 2100 miles on the '09, but in driving both and having owned H2s since 2003, I find the only thing I don't like about her '09 is the 6 speed - but they say you get used to it shifting all the time.

[The Professional]

I have an '06 and an '09 H2. The power difference is CONSIDERABLE! It tows with ease and accelerates MUCH faster than the '06. It also gets better mpgs by about 3 mpg. You have to get used to that 6 speed shifting all the time. I like the interior on my wife's '09, but you can't rest your arm on the window ledge like you can on the '06. We only have 2100 miles on the '09, but in driving both and having owned H2s since 2003, I find the only thing I don't like about her '09 is the 6 speed - but they say you get used to it shifting all the time.

Thanks for that information. The 6 speed interests me because I believe it's a beefier setup. Is this true?

[pteam]

Trust me if you are deciding between an 06 and 08, the 08 is light years ahead of the 06 in many many ways.