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K1500 & Tahoe transmission interchangeability question

KINGENGINEMAINTENANCE
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KINGENGINEMAINTENANCE Enthusiast

KINGENGINEMAINTENANCE

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I have 1997 K1500 4x4 5.7L extended cab, that needs a transmission. Anybody know if the 4L60E in a 1997 Tahoe or Suburban is exactly the same as 97 K1500? I have swapped LS based 4L60Es and NP246 T-cases between LS tahoes and trucks with no issues but I'm headed to the junkyard tomorrow and might have to take a gamble on grabbing one out of a tahoe or suburban. I believe 96 97 and 98 model 4L60Es will work for 97 application. It's a single piece case, bell housing not removable. If anybody in Southeast VA northeast NC area I have 5.3 blocks, heads, intakes and more. Thanks and Peace!

James Howell Enthusiast

James Howell

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Posted (edited)

As long as it is an LT style and not an LS. You can use an LS style but you will have to have a custom torque converter because bell housing clearance is different and so is input shaft.

 

But I just did something like this except is took a 98 model LT style 4l60e out of a 4.3 chevy blazer or s-10 (guy had it for sale and already removed for 225 bucks, damn good deal) my original tranny was in a 97 gmc sierra was a one piece with no removable bell housing. The tranny I put in was a two piece with removable bell housing but it was a non LS style. I did have to bend the tranny cooler lines a little to get them to go into the tranny, and the reluctor ring for the speed sensor on the tailshaft was different and just read the mph wrong on the dash.

 

Main thing in your case is to be sure to get one that is LT style and one that is 4wd. Otherwise you will need to completely disassemble both trannies and swap out tailshaft and housings to get it to be direct fit. I think I also had to slide the cross member back a little but the funny thing is thatthere were already bolt holes for it from the factory.

 

But as long as both of the trannies in your scenario are from a 97 and they are both 4wd then it will be a direct fit. Any tranny up to a 99 iirc, as long as it is LT style, will fit, just make sure they are both 4wd or else you will need to swap output shafts and housings

 

Edited by James Howell
KINGENGINEMAINTENANCE Enthusiast

KINGENGINEMAINTENANCE

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Awesome dudes thanks for the info. I found a 4L60E in a 97 suburban 4x4 at the junkyard and grabbed it for $235. The engine was already removed so made it pretty easy. Haven't swapped it into the truck yet, will happen this week. I appreciate the input. Interesting that the speed sensor was different on your application. Next time I might consider using an LS style trans with a custom converter like you said just to do it. Next project is putting a 5.3 in a 95 wrangler that already has an AX15 in it. I will be hitting y'all up for some advice on that too. Thanks again cheers and peace!!!

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