2000 Suburban 5.3 Drivetrain Removal?

[Spl170s]

Replacing motor in our 2000 suburban 1500. HAs the 5.3 engine. Auto with 4x4. Our motor has right at 295,xxx miles on it...and just started knocking and ticking on startup and sometimes while driving.... found out someone in the shop drove it and thought it would be smart to take it upon them selves to add some seafoam to the engine. Needless to say, the stupidest thing a person could possibly do on a motor with this kind of mileage.....now it is ready to be done.

 

Anyway, back to topic. We have already got our donor motor/tranny to go in it. Came out of a 2000 silverado 4x4. i am hoping to do the swap with the motor/tranny together coming out and back in.

 

So my question is this....has anyone accomplished the motor swap with motor and tranny still together as one unit? If so, any tips/tricks to how you made it happen? Would i be better off to just plan on seperating instead.... some insight please.

 

Thanks!