A car transmission usually weighs between 70 and 250 pounds dry. Manual gearboxes for small cars are the lightest, at roughly 70 to 120 pounds, while most passenger-car automatics weigh about 120 to 250 pounds. Heavy-duty truck automatics can pass 250 pounds, and medium-duty commercial units weigh several hundred pounds.
The type of transmission, the torque it’s built to handle and the case material decide most of the difference. This guide gives typical weights by type, explains why the numbers vary, and shows how much a transmission weighs packed for shipping, which is the weight a carrier actually bills.
How much does a transmission weigh by type?
Transmission weight tracks its design. Manual gearboxes have no torque converter or hydraulic controls, so they’re the lightest, while automatics carry a torque converter, valve body, pump and clutch packs.
| Transmission type | Typical use | Typical dry weight |
|---|---|---|
| Compact manual | Small cars and compacts | 70–120 lb |
| Performance or truck manual | Sports cars, pickups | 100–150 lb |
| CVT | Compact cars and crossovers | 100–180 lb |
| Dual-clutch (DCT) | Performance and some compact cars | 120–170 lb |
| Passenger-car automatic | Sedans, SUVs, light trucks | 120–250 lb |
| Heavy-duty automatic | Full-size and heavy-duty pickups | 230–350 lb |
| Commercial automatic | Medium-duty trucks and buses | Several hundred pounds |
These are typical dry weights, without fluid or a torque converter full of oil. The manufacturer’s spec sheet or a remanufacturer’s listing gives the exact figure for a specific unit.
How much do common transmissions weigh?
Some transmissions are swapped and shipped so often that their weights are well known. The figures below are the dry weights commonly quoted by builders and rebuilders, so treat them as close estimates rather than factory specs.
| Transmission | Type | Commonly quoted dry weight |
|---|---|---|
| GM 4L60E | 4-speed automatic | About 145–170 lb |
| GM 4L80E | 4-speed heavy-duty automatic | About 230–250 lb |
| GM TH350 | 3-speed automatic | About 100–120 lb |
| GM TH400 | 3-speed automatic | About 130–150 lb |
The 4L80E weighs roughly 80 pounds more than the 4L60E because it’s built for heavier trucks and higher torque. A wet transmission with fluid in the case and torque converter weighs more than these figures.
What makes one transmission heavier than another?
Four things explain most of the spread between a 75-pound manual and a 250-pound truck automatic.
- Design. Automatics add a torque converter, hydraulic pump, valve body and several clutch packs, which manuals don’t need.
- Torque rating. Units built for towing and heavy trucks use bigger gears, shafts and cases, so they weigh more.
- Case material. Most modern cases are aluminum. Older and heavy-duty designs may use cast iron parts, which add weight.
- What’s included. A unit shipped with its torque converter, bellhousing, transfer case or cooler lines weighs more than a bare case.
Spec sheets and seller listings don’t always say which parts are included, so compare like with like. Our guide to gross weight vs net weight and how each affects shipping costs explains why the bare part weight and the shipping weight differ.
How do you weigh a transmission?
A transmission is too heavy for a bathroom scale and too awkward to hold, so use a floor scale or a crane scale on an engine hoist. Drain it first if you want the dry weight, since the fluid alone can add a noticeable amount.
- Drain the fluid and cap the open ports and lines.
- Decide whether the torque converter stays in, and note it, since it changes the weight.
- Lift it with rated straps on an engine hoist with a digital crane scale, or set it on a floor or pallet scale rated well above its weight.
- Weigh the pallet and packing separately so you know both the part weight and the shipping weight.
For smaller boxes, our guide on how to weigh packages at home covers scales and simple methods.
How much does a transmission weigh packed for shipping?
Carriers bill on the packed weight, so the crate or pallet counts. A transmission is normally drained, bolted or strapped to a pallet, and wrapped, which adds weight on top of the part.
| Packing | Typical added weight |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty box with foam or blocking (small manuals only) | 5–15 lb |
| Standard wood pallet | 30–50 lb |
| Stretch wrap, straps and an oil-absorbent pad | 2–5 lb |
| Wood crate instead of an open pallet | 40–100 lb or more |
A 160-pound automatic on a pallet usually ships at about 200 to 220 pounds. Measure the pallet footprint and height as well, since freight carriers price on weight, dimensions and freight class.
Can you ship a transmission with UPS or USPS?
Usually only a small manual gearbox fits parcel limits. USPS takes packages up to 70 pounds and UPS up to 150 pounds, so most automatics, once packed, move as LTL freight on a pallet.
| Limit | USPS | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 70 lb | 150 lb |
| Maximum size | 130 in length plus girth (Ground Advantage) | 108 in long, 165 in length plus girth |
| Extra handling | Packages over 1 cubic foot can be billed by dimensional weight | Additional Handling over 50 lb, or a side over 48 in |
| Best for | Small parts and light gearboxes under 70 lb | Boxed manuals and light units up to 150 lb |
A drained, boxed compact manual can go by UPS Ground, and you can check whether the box stays within the size limits with our girth calculator for length plus girth. For parcels, compare UPS and USPS for your ZIP codes in the ParcelPath rate calculator, which is free and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS.
For a palletized automatic, use PalletPath, ParcelPath’s LTL freight service, and get a pallet quote in the PalletPath freight quote tool. Our step-by-step guide on how to ship car parts covers draining, sealing and labeling, and our tips on how to ship for less help you keep the packed size down. With ParcelPath you can book both from one free account: UPS or USPS for a small gearbox, and LTL freight for a palletized automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an average car transmission weigh?
An average passenger-car transmission weighs roughly 100 to 250 pounds dry. Manual gearboxes for small cars are at the low end, often 70 to 120 pounds, while automatics for sedans, SUVs and light trucks usually weigh 120 to 250 pounds. Heavy-duty truck automatics weigh more, and fluid adds weight on top of the dry figure.
How much does a 4L60E transmission weigh?
A GM 4L60E is commonly quoted at about 145 to 170 pounds dry, without fluid. The exact number depends on the case version and whether the torque converter is included. This four-speed automatic was used in many Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs, so it’s one of the most often swapped and shipped transmissions.
How much does a 4L80E transmission weigh?
A GM 4L80E is commonly quoted at about 230 to 250 pounds dry. It’s the heavy-duty sibling of the 4L60E, built for larger trucks and higher torque, so its gears, shafts and case are bigger. Packed on a pallet, a 4L80E is well over UPS’s 150-pound parcel limit and ships as LTL freight.
Why are automatic transmissions heavier than manual transmissions?
Automatic transmissions carry parts that manuals don’t need: a torque converter, a hydraulic pump, a valve body and several clutch packs. Those parts add tens of pounds, which is why a compact manual can weigh under 100 pounds while a passenger-car automatic often weighs 150 pounds or more.
Can you ship a transmission with UPS?
Yes, if the packed box is 150 pounds or less and within UPS size limits of 108 inches long and 165 inches in length plus girth. Drain it, seal the ports and pack it in a heavy-duty box. UPS adds Additional Handling for boxes over 50 pounds, and heavier automatics ship as LTL freight on a pallet.
Sources
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 101: physical standards and weight limits
- USPS: USPS Ground Advantage (size, weight and dimensional weight)
- UPS: Package dimensions and weight limits
- UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service: Additional Handling and maximum size
- General Motors and transmission rebuilder specifications for the 4L60E, 4L80E, TH350 and TH400 (commonly quoted dry weights)
Part of our How to Weigh Packages at Home guide. Related: Weighing Packages for Shipping, Gross Weight vs Net Weight, How Much Does a Tire Weigh.
