62 4.8 Swap for Wheeling Rig (1 Viewer)

[FamilyCamper]

Planning my first swap and there's a local 5.3 /460le with everything included from a 2004 suburban for really cheap. It's in the truck so I can start it up. I've read a lot of the swap threads and I know the consensus is find the lowest mileage engine you can afford but am I crazy to just use this one as a starting point? My optimistic thought is even if it only runs for a year or 2 then I can upgrade after I have learned the process and have all the other bits and pieces for the swap ?? Let me know opinions and they don't have to be scientific

 

[FamilyCamper]

I would stick with the vacuum. Waste of money and time IMO to change.
With the length of the automatic it is really tricky to get it to work nicely unless you do a twin stick setup. And you already have “twin-stick” functionality with the vacuum shift.
Plus your dash controls, wiring etc are already set up for it.

Appreciate the recommendation. I do have plenty of work to do...

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I would stick with the vacuum. Waste of money and time IMO to change.
With the length of the automatic it is really tricky to get it to work nicely unless you do a twin stick setup. And you already have “twin-stick” functionality with the vacuum shift.
Plus your dash controls, wiring etc are already set up for it.

This is true also

 

[FamilyCamper]

Got the transmission crossmember support mounted to the adapter!
Tip: drill slowly and take breaks for heat reduction. Also step up drill bit sizes I think I used 5 to get to the final size.

Next step will be mounting the adapter and TC! Had a rough time with the final hole and broke a bit deep in the aluminum, got it out after about an hour of drilling small holes near it and then finally drilling through it with this bit (not sure the name)

 

[cruisermatt]

looks good!

 

[Dubs2017]

Got the transmission crossmember support mounted to the adapter!
Tip: drill slowly and take breaks for heat reduction. Also step up drill bit sizes I think I used 5 to get to the final size.

Next step will be mounting the adapter and TC! Had a rough time with the final hole and broke a bit deep in the aluminum, got it out after about an hour of drilling small holes near it and then finally drilling through it with this bit (not sure the name)

View attachment 3859673

View attachment 3859674

Very nice.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Very nice.

Thanks for your write up! Very helpful

 

[Dubs2017]

Thanks for your write up! Very helpful

Great to hear it was helpful. Full credit to Matt. His smart idea to reduce needing to fabricate a new cross member.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Took a while to wrap my head around this adapter install and I make some mistakes and had to redo steps but I'm pretty confident I got it all perfect in the end. Here is what have now please point out if you see anything wrong. I do have a couple questions.
1. I gapped the speed sensor but there was some play in the trans output shaft so it was hard to say where the neutral riding position was. Thoughts?
2. No torq specs for any of the bolts holding the adapter together?

 

[cruisermatt]

That all looks fine! Just run the sensor in nice and tight.
Torque spec we do about 45ftlbs i think.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Transfer case rebuild complete and all assembled to the 4L60. Wow that was a big job I think the hardest thing I've tackled yet. harder than replacing gears in the 100 TC for reduction gears. Much help from the manual, different threads, and George's shop talk TC rebuild video. So much cleaning and many late hours at night feels good to be moving onto something else now.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Engine test fitted in! Seems pretty great trying to figure out how to make sure the mounts are in the perfect spot height wise now before tacking in the frame plates and then mounts themselves. Thinking tack in plates then tack in each side with the mounts attached to the motor then pulling it out to weld it all in. Big thanks to my neighbor who stopped by and was willing to help for over an hour

 

[cruisermatt]

Looks good, you've got the right idea on your process. I would recommend just tacking them in for now, leave the engine in and mock up the rest of the swap, wiring, exhaust, etc and then blow it all back apart, fully weld everything, fully paint everything, and then put it back together and you'll be done

I'd definietly recommend switching to the H3 / Muscle car oil pan if you aren't alrealy planning on it

 

[FamilyCamper]

Looks good, you've got the right idea on your process. I would recommend just tacking them in for now, leave the engine in and mock up the rest of the swap, wiring, exhaust, etc and then blow it all back apart, fully weld everything, fully paint everything, and then put it back together and you'll be done

I'd definietly recommend switching to the H3 / Muscle car oil pan if you aren't alrealy planning on it

Thanks for the tips I have the oil pan! Good call on doing it all at once later down the line I just need to tack it so I can get that hoist out of the way for now!

 

[FamilyCamper]

Mounts are tacked in! Going to start on shifter for T case and transmission next make sure those are functioning well. Starting to get excited and move too fast have to keep working on stuff I've already ordered parts for....

 

[FamilyCamper]

What am I doing wrong here? @cruisermatt or others. Shifter is in park I believe for both but it's not lining up. I could grind out the hole a little further for it to fit, is this the correct method to get it to match up? Also are the two blue plastic bits in the shifter linkage kit intended for the transfer case shifter?

I also have a leak which looks like trans fluid coming out right where the case meets the adapter, not sure what that's from but I guess my paper gasket and rtv did not fully seal it up my guess is trans output shaft seal? Just don't want to open up the split case again...

 

[cruisermatt]

Shoot me an email and I can send you some installed pics of the shifter linkage. I *think* you actually have the transmission in 1st in that position, is the transfer output locked? The blue bushings are stock replacements for the shifter pivot inside the cab as they are often shot.

I like to just run RTV between the case and adapter to prevent oil from pooling up in that lower cavity between the case and adapter. I believe there is a R151 gasket that accomplishes this as well.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Shoot me an email and I can send you some installed pics of the shifter linkage. I *think* you actually have the transmission in 1st in that position, is the transfer output locked? The blue bushings are stock replacements for the shifter pivot inside the cab as they are often shot.

I like to just run RTV between the case and adapter to prevent oil from pooling up in that lower cavity between the case and adapter. I believe there is a R151 gasket that accomplishes this as well.

Will do thank you. After looking at the pics and some other diagrams of the trans I think you're right it probably is in 1st and I can check using the output later thank you.

 

[huminajumina]

Progress is looking good man! Nice work. Looks like you’re knocking out some big steps to getting it done. Definitely going to be following your path here soon.

I know someone already offered a roof piece, and don’t let me distract from getting that engine in but @jkdur728 is only about 1hr 45min from you if you need any 60 series parts for the swap. He had a whole roof when I was there, but might be able to offer you a sunroof sized piece of roof if he has it. Sheet metal will probably work just fine, but figure it’s worth reaching out!


Excited to see the progress! Most parts in a 4.8 are a 5.3, a lot of interchangeability. I honestly looked at a few thinking about the mileage, I’m curious to see how it does. Such a strong solid motor.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Progress is looking good man! Nice work. Looks like you’re knocking out some big steps to getting it done. Definitely going to be following your path here soon.

I know someone already offered a roof piece, and don’t let me distract from getting that engine in but @jkdur728 is only about 1hr 45min from you if you need any 60 series parts for the swap. He had a whole roof when I was there, but might be able to offer you a sunroof sized piece of roof if he has it. Sheet metal will probably work just fine, but figure it’s worth reaching out!


Excited to see the progress! Most parts in a 4.8 are a 5.3, a lot of interchangeability. I honestly looked at a few thinking about the mileage, I’m curious to see how it does. Such a strong solid motor.

Hey I appreciate it! I'm likely going to take a trip up to Jonas once I get the truck running and driving. I did weld up the sunroof but I'll need some random parts to get the interior straight and probably need some parts I don't even know I need. Im feeling good about where im at a little overwhelmed at all the steps to get there but taking advice from others and making plans to tackle one section at a time. Next up is some floorboard rust repair and then cooling system. After that hopefully fuel. And about the 4.8, I like to think that after all this work and learning along the way I'll be able to swap in a nice 5.3 on a weekend sometime once this one is deemed too leaky or kicks the can.