Will The Tranny Fit?

grosss · November 22, 2009

I'm parting out a truck and was asked by someone if the transmission will bolt up to their engine.

My truck - 99 Silverado reg cab, 2wd, 4.8L, 4L60e

His truck - 98 Silverado, 2wd, 5.0L

Does anybody know if this will work? I know there's only a year difference but the engines completely changed during that one year...

Nytemare · November 23, 2009

I Believe he could change the bell housing over to your trans and it would bolt up....but as far as programming I don't think his ECM could control it properly.

alwcurlz · November 23, 2009

I'm parting out a truck and was asked by someone if the transmission will bolt up to their engine.

My truck - 99 Silverado reg cab, 2wd, 4.8L, 4L60e

His truck - 98 Silverado, 2wd, 5.0L

Does anybody know if this will work? I know there's only a year difference but the engines completely changed during that one year...

GM started manufacturing the 4L60E back in 1993 so they've been around a while. I think that the electronics are recognized differently and may need other modifications. I would call local transmission shops to get opinions on your idea. Wouldn't hurt to call some bigger shop in another city just for expert opinions. Good luck!

GreenB5TH. · December 16, 2009

As for the tranny swap, I put a 1998 4L60E in a 1994 and it works great. From 1994 to 2000 the 4L60E is the same but with improvements. I did swap the Valve body out of mine and the wire harness inside the tranny. I mainly did this because my valve body was rebuilt and has a shift kit. From 1995 on they used an extra solenoid for controleing the Torq. Lockup, I believe it is called the PWM. MIne came from a V-6 and was put in a 350 but internally the trannies are the same. Mine is also a 4x4 so I had to get the transfere case adapter from a 1998 from 6 bolt tranny to 6 bolt transfere case. After 2000 there were other changes and I have not messed with those yet. Hope this helps.

Nytemare · December 16, 2009

As for the tranny swap, I put a 1998 4L60E in a 1994 and it works great. From 1994 to 2000 the 4L60E is the same but with improvements. I did swap the Valve body out of mine and the wire harness inside the tranny. I mainly did this because my valve body was rebuilt and has a shift kit. From 1995 on they used an extra solenoid for controleing the Torq. Lockup, I believe it is called the PWM. MIne came from a V-6 and was put in a 350 but internally the trannies are the same. Mine is also a 4x4 so I had to get the transfere case adapter from a 1998 from 6 bolt tranny to 6 bolt transfere case. After 2000 there were other changes and I have not messed with those yet. Hope this helps.

the 99+ are also an LS bolt pattern...not an old style SBC...I am not sure if the two are the same pattern though.

grosss · December 16, 2009

As for the tranny swap, I put a 1998 4L60E in a 1994 and it works great. From 1994 to 2000 the 4L60E is the same but with improvements. I did swap the Valve body out of mine and the wire harness inside the tranny. I mainly did this because my valve body was rebuilt and has a shift kit. From 1995 on they used an extra solenoid for controleing the Torq. Lockup, I believe it is called the PWM. MIne came from a V-6 and was put in a 350 but internally the trannies are the same. Mine is also a 4x4 so I had to get the transfere case adapter from a 1998 from 6 bolt tranny to 6 bolt transfere case. After 2000 there were other changes and I have not messed with those yet. Hope this helps.

the 99+ are also an LS bolt pattern...not an old style SBC...I am not sure if the two are the same pattern though.

Ok, thats another thing I was wondering, if I unbolt and remove the tail stock it'll bolt right into a 4x4 system, right? My dad tried to convince me to keep the transmission until mine explodes but I wasn't sure if it'd fit since I have 4x4... but I also want the money from the sale right now :-D

Nytemare · December 17, 2009

As for the tranny swap, I put a 1998 4L60E in a 1994 and it works great. From 1994 to 2000 the 4L60E is the same but with improvements. I did swap the Valve body out of mine and the wire harness inside the tranny. I mainly did this because my valve body was rebuilt and has a shift kit. From 1995 on they used an extra solenoid for controleing the Torq. Lockup, I believe it is called the PWM. MIne came from a V-6 and was put in a 350 but internally the trannies are the same. Mine is also a 4x4 so I had to get the transfere case adapter from a 1998 from 6 bolt tranny to 6 bolt transfere case. After 2000 there were other changes and I have not messed with those yet. Hope this helps.

the 99+ are also an LS bolt pattern...not an old style SBC...I am not sure if the two are the same pattern though.

Ok, thats another thing I was wondering, if I unbolt and remove the tail stock it'll bolt right into a 4x4 system, right? My dad tried to convince me to keep the transmission until mine explodes but I wasn't sure if it'd fit since I have 4x4... but I also want the money from the sale right now :-D

I am not sure about a 2WD trans fitting a 4WD...you will definitely have to modify it...I am just not sure if you can unbolt the tail shaft and install the tail and T-case from a 4WD onto a 2WD trans.

Nytemare · December 17, 2009

OK I looked it up...a 4wd has a different case, and you will need an adapter plate to mount an LS 4l60E to a non LS motor.

grosss · December 17, 2009

OK I looked it up...a 4wd has a different case, and you will need an adapter plate to mount an LS 4l60E to a non LS motor.

Well then I won't even consider keeping it for myself. Anyone looking for a recently rebuilt 4L60E for a 2wd LS motor in the Toronto area?

alwcurlz · December 17, 2009

Cool...this is good info! I've been wondering about this kind of situation.

Nytemare · December 17, 2009

Cool...this is good info! I've been wondering about this kind of situation.

I looked on about 10 different trans sites and they all say the 4wd case is different than the 2wd w/o a tail shaft.

They actually charge a little more for a 4wd trans due to this...unless Gmtech4 chimes in and busts my bubble...LOL....

He would know 100%, being a trans tech.

alwcurlz · December 17, 2009

Cool...this is good info! I've been wondering about this kind of situation.

I looked on about 10 different trans sites and they all say the 4wd case is different than the 2wd w/o a tail shaft.

They actually charge a little more for a 4wd trans due to this...unless Gmtech4 chimes in and busts my bubble...LOL....

He would know 100%, being a trans tech.

That sounds a little confusing. Are you sure you don't mean that the 4L60E transmissions are the same but, the tail section is what's different for 4WD and 2WD?

Nytemare · December 17, 2009

Yes and no....there is no tail shaft housing on a 4wd...but from what all the sites said...a 4wd case is different from a 2wd...and is not just a 2wd with the rear tail shaft housing removed.

I still wouldn't mind having both trans sitting on my shop floor so I could tell for sure.

alwcurlz · December 17, 2009

Yes and no....there is no tail shaft housing on a 4wd...but from what all the sites said...a 4wd case is different from a 2wd...and is not just a 2wd with the rear tail shaft housing removed.

I still wouldn't mind having both trans sitting on my shop floor so I could tell for sure.

Yeah, good point there. Comparing the two visually would be the best way to tell what bolts up. So, the tail shaft isn't used on a 4WD setup since the transfer case takes it's place. But, I would think that the transfer case is going to be made to fit the transmission and not the transmission to fit the transfer case. At least that's what I would think makes sense.

KENNHON · December 17, 2009

OK I looked it up...a 4wd has a different case, and you will need an adapter plate to mount an LS 4l60E to a non LS motor.

Well then I won't even consider keeping it for myself. Anyone looking for a recently rebuilt 4L60E for a 2wd LS motor in the Toronto area?

Hey, I'd buy your tranny... IF someone could tell me why i couldn't use the 4L60E[with upgrades to make it a 4L65E], to replace my 4L80E[glorified Th400 w/ OD.

Now, WHY would i want to do this? [this would be behind a '96 Vortec 454 B/B crew cab dually]. This truck is now a street cruiser with low rear gear. The 4L60E has good fist gear, and a 30% OD..... The present tranny is starting to show its age. I know electronics are different... TCI transmissions in Tenn. has a 'stand-alone' controller that MAYBE will work. I've called them, they said they would get back to me[not cheap,though... it's over 500 bucks.

Anyway, i'm throwing this out for your input[i've changed gobs of trannies-and X-members, driveshaft mods,speedo's,etc are minor details to me.]