transmission swap

[JD_Z71]

I have a 97 Chev Z-71 extended cab. I had my 4L60E rebuilt at 110K miles. Now I have 160K on the truck and the trany sounds like a power steering pump with no fluid in it, only when it is in gear. Anyone know how muck longer I have until this trans is gone or what could be wrong? I would really like to put a 5 speed manule in my truck. Does anyone out there know the details involved, such as: Will any 5 speed from a 96-98 2wd fit my truck, if I take the tail housing off? Do any aftermarket companys specialize in swaps like this for at least the clutch linkage and clutch slave cylinder? What will the computer think about this swap since it is not controling elements of shifting anymore?

[Rolandd]

I have done this swap with a mid-80's S-10 4x4. You want to find a doner vehicle and take everything in sight--it never hurts to have a few redundant parts when you are done.

 

You need to investigate the computer issue. The computer will be expecting to be able to shift the tranny and have the engine respond. If there is no tranny to shift I imagine the check-engine light will illuminate with one or more codes and the truck may end up in limp-home-mode. Your truck is equipped with ODBC-II systems, so I would guess that this system is aware of what tranny is supposed to be there.

 

If you live in California or any state that has adopted CA emissions standards you may have to go through some legal hoops as well because by changing or reprogramming the computer you have altered the emissions system. In CA I remember having to go through this insanity over another vehicle and it was a lot of work for what I was getting.

 

Do your homework before you attempt this swap to make sure that you know of everything that you need to have a running truck when you are done that you can continue to legally drive.

[CapitalTruck]

This sounds like a loser idea to me. I know it is going to cause emotional strain to part with your baby, but man, that retrofit gig is going to be far more trouble than it is worth.

[crazymjb]

What about a 4L70E or 4L80E? The owner I am buying my truck from said he considered putting a 4L80E in when when the 4L60E went, but wasn't sure what was involved(1996 truck).

 

What is your reason for going to standard? Reliability, fun?

 

Mike

[OUMike]

What about a 4L70E or 4L80E? The owner I am buying my truck from said he considered putting a 4L80E in when when the 4L60E went, but wasn't sure what was involved(1996 truck).

 

What is your reason for going to standard? Reliability, fun?

 

Mike

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

The more common thing in your case is a rebuild to 4L65-E specs, maybe with aftermarket shift kit. 4L80 is a complete waste of money on anything not 454.