Vortec 6.0 4l65e (2wd or AWD) (1 Viewer)

[yukon721]

I have a 6.0 LQ9 4l65e All Wheel Drive with 104k miles that I am looking to purchase for a fj60 swap. This is my first swap and I'll be doing build thread once up and running.

My 1st question is AWD vs 2WD. I remember reading that there are different approaches in terms of output shafts regarding AWD/4WD and 2WD. Can anyone give me a simple run down of which is preferable or if one is more of a headache over the other.

Cheers!

 

[BigBen559]

I would reach out the Georg and his Team @ Valley Hybrids in Stockton California.

 

[yukon721]

Ok solved my question. AWD or 4WD needs a 2WD output shaft as it is longer. Meaning tearing apart the entire transmission to do so. No Bueno.

Next question - Can I mate a LQ9 to a 4l60E instead? Mating Issues and will a 4l60E be reliable behind a 6.0 vs the 5.3 as intended?

Guess I could ask the same question for 4l80e. Plenty strong enough. But Mating issues or electrical hookup issues.

Seems the Lq9s are all mated to 4wd transmissions if my Search skills are up to par.

 

[yukon721]

Search skills proved not up to par.
Solved - LQ9s can mate to 4l60e
Looks like it'll be that combo.
Build to come.

 

[Shes Mad]

6.0l were mated to 2wd in vans. Trans are pretty reasonable to buy rebuilt.

Just need to make sure whoever sets up the ECU sets it up for the engine/trans you are running.

 

[Kleatus]

Advance Adapters website explains pretty well which trans you’d need for their split case Adapters (unless there’s another vendor out there making them?). GM sized the transmissions according to GVWR not nesessarily engine, so for example in 2002 a Denali with a 6.0 will have a 4L65 vs. a 6.0 2500HD which is a 4L80. Physically you can bolt up any combination of the 4.8/5.3/6.0 to the 4L60/4L65/4L80.
There are 2WD/4WD versions of pretty much all of the variants out there.

 

[workingdog]

So, I'm not following you. The 4L65e you have, which is a great transmission for a FJ60, has the wrong tail shaft because it was set up for 2WD? And you're looking for a 4L60 or 4L80 that is already set up for 4WD? Given the choice, I'd go with the 4L80, it's much stronger than the 4L60 - but the 4L60 will be easier to find. Were you planning on shoving the transmission in without a rebuild? It seems like a lot of work to avoid replacing the tail shaft of the 4L65 you have.

 

[erse]

Search skills proved not up to par.
Solved - LQ9s can mate to 4l60e
Looks like it'll be that combo.
Build to come.

Sometimes mud search can be lacking, google your search and put mud at the end of your phrase and you may get better results. That has worked well for me on many occasions. Looking forward to seeing your build

 

[gregnash]

So, I'm not following you. The 4L65e you have, which is a great transmission for a FJ60, has the wrong tail shaft because it was set up for 2WD? And you're looking for a 4L60 or 4L80 that is already set up for 4WD? Given the choice, I'd go with the 4L80, it's much stronger than the 4L60 - but the 4L60 will be easier to find. Were you planning on shoving the transmission in without a rebuild? It seems like a lot of work to avoid replacing the tail shaft of the 4L65 you have.

Think what he is saying is he HAS the AWD/4WD but the tail shaft is too short, necessitating a full rebuild (or close there of) to install the 2WD tail shaft which is longer (which is needed). Seems like any of the 4LXX series trannies will work, differences are based on GVWR (@NCFJ possibly can confirm?)

 

[workingdog]

So, I"m not sure what you guys mean by the 4L65 'has' the AWD/4WD. My understanding is that all the 4Lxx only have a tail shaft of a certain length and nothing directly related to 2WD or 4WD or AWD in them. All the AWD/4WD is in the transfer case.

 

[zprovo]

The top image is 2wd the bottom image is 4wd. The tailshaft on the 4wd is quite a bit shorter.
The advance adapter for the split transfer requires the use of the 2wd transmission.
That said, you might just ask a local transmission shop what it would cost to swap out tailshafts...

 

[Shes Mad]

So, I"m not sure what you guys mean by the 4L65 'has' the AWD/4WD. My understanding is that all the 4Lxx only have a tail shaft of a certain length and nothing directly related to 2WD or 4WD or AWD in them. All the AWD/4WD is in the transfer case.

Your basic understanding is wrong, and the AWD/4WD is confusing you. OP meant that he had a 4L65E and Tcase w/AWD/4WD,,

4Lxx trans hooked to Tcase in their original configuration/vehicle have a shorter output shaft than a 4Lxx used in 2WD in their original configuration/vehicle . So the 4Lxx trans used in a 2WD application in their original configuration/vehicle, is what you need to mate to your toyota tcase and put into your 4WD Toyota

 

[MANUCHAO]

I had the 4x4 tranny and had to have it open and install the longer shaft version.... no big deal... you should replace the servos and use a sun shell while it is opened up.... what you should be looking at, (if you haven't bought anything yet) is to see if you could install a 6 speed AT, as supposed to a 4 speed

 

[Elbert]

anyone look at the AA web site? as I recall....fairly clear about the need for a 2wd transmission, unless you want to modify the tail-shaft....as I recall.

 

[NCFJ]

TONS of information out there about this. Use the 2WD version of the 4L65E if you want to bolt right up with the adapter. The 4WD version can also be used but the output shaft from a 2WD version must be installed to make it work.

Make sure that the motor and trans that you choose are compatible electronically speaking. Not all ECUs will either control the trans or even hook up with the trans correctly. I have no personal experience with the 6.0 but everything I have read about them leads me to believe that they are very sensitive to what transmissions and controllers they will work with.

All this talk about this trans being stronger than that trans is OPINION for the most part. Google the difference between the 4L60E and the 4L65E. The 4L65E comes with the LS3 in one of the Connect and Cruise packages. My guess is that GM is confident that it can handle the horse power and torque.

The bottom line on all of this is that there are facts and there is chatter. Doing your due diligence is the only way you will make it through the process and end up with a good running truck. Adapting the trans to the T-case is just the beginning.

A little advice, think long term. Think about how you lay things out like you are the guy that is buying this truck from you in two years (or whenever). Are they going to be able to figure out what you did? Are they going to be able to figure out what parts they need when things wear out or break down? Document what you are doing as you go. Keep a log of what parts and part numbers you used. I have seen several trucks that were swapped with multiple "hacks" to get systems to work only to be sold off and the new owner has no clue what to do when a system has issues.

 

[erse]

A little advice, think long term. Think about how you lay things out like you are the guy that is buying this truck from you in two years (or whenever). Are they going to be able to figure out what you did? Are they going to be able to figure out what parts they need when things wear out or break down? Document what you are doing as you go. Keep a log of what parts and part numbers you used. I have seen several trucks that were swapped with multiple "hacks" to get systems to work only to be sold off and the new owner has no clue what to do when a system has issues.

This advice Sir is why you you are head and shoulders above the the fray. The most salient, wise and downright magnanimous thing I have read on mud. I hope thousands read and heed it!

 

[NCFJ]

@erse you are too kind. It is very easy to get caught up in something as involved as an LS swap. It literally takes on a life of it's own. One swept up in it, loosing track of sub system details is pretty easy to do. I keep several different shop documents running at one time on any one build and even then I still miss things. The big thing that is the same about all swaps is that they are indeed, all different. It's not rocket science, just takes a lot of documentation, planning and little details.

 

[erse]

@erse you are too kind. It is very easy to get caught up in something as involved as an LS swap. It literally takes on a life of it's own. One swept up in it, loosing track of sub system details is pretty easy to do. I keep several different shop documents running at one time on any one build and even then I still miss things. The big thing that is the same about all swaps is that they are indeed, all different. It's not rocket science, just takes a lot of documentation, planning and little details.

I am on my second engine swapped 60 bought from someone else. I cannot even begin to calculate the amount of time and money I have spent trying to figure out just basic part numbers for stuff and why did they do it that way questions.
I cannot remember who's thread it was exactly but someone had a V8 swapped 60 for sale with clear documentation and build thread. I told him and maintain to this day that it added significant value to his rig.

 

[yukon721]

Ok everyone. I purchased the LQ9 - 104K (Out of a Cadillac Escalade)
It is now mated to a 4l60e 2wd - I opted for this combo as it comes standard with a longer output shaft that is necessary for the AA adapter.
I realize the 4l65e is a stronger transmission - however being that it has a shorter (AWD/4WD) output shaft I opted against it.
One less step in the process.

So.... LQ9 mated to 4l60e 2wd it is.

Let the games begin. I am going to create a build thread on this very shortly. And will begin puling the old 2F this coming week. Stay tuned. And I'm sure I'll have questions as we get rolling.

Build Thread. - 6.0 Vortec LQ9 - FJ60 Engine Swap - Old Blue's Heart Transplant

 

[NCFJ]

The 4L65E is available in 2WD.