5.3 swap question Z71

[Normy71]

Hi
I have found a 2006 GMC Z71 5.3 4x4 donor vehicle
before I purchase this what has to be done to the drive train before I install it to my 71 GMC long box? how do I deal with the transfer case? as my pickup is 2wd
I know I need to change motor mounts and deal with all the wiring
Thank You

[Normy71]

Anyone?
Thanks

[egressin]

very interested in similar info im lookin to stay with 2wd though.
on another note my truck has an 86 frame already. it looks stock except for the suspension obviously. so i would imagine it couldnt b that complicated but i also am not scared of any project just the funding for it.

[kamikazekyle05]

You would probably have to move the transfercase crossmember, and figure out a way to get the pushbutton 4wd to work (assuming its push button). I think someone on here did a gen III 4wd swap, someone will chime in im sure

[jbristo67]

He wants to do away with the transfer case. His truck is a 2 wheel drive. I think you might be able to take it off and put a reg tail on it. I dont know for sure though

[chuckmc8]

Normy, You would be better off one of two ways:
1. Keep the entire frame/running gear and have your truck 4wd. This would make the swap a lot more simple. (not simple, just 'more' simple)
2. (What I'd do) Look for another donor thats 2wd, try to get the whole vechicle
Everything on that truck is computer controlled and unless you are very electrical savvy or have lots of $$ it will be much more difficult with a 4wd donor,jmo

[kamikazekyle05]

O lol, i didnt read it right. You have to swap the tail in the transmission out for a 2wd one.

[Palf70Step]

You can swap the tail housing as mentioned, but also as chuckmc8 mentioned, the computer is setup for a 4wd configured truck, so you would need it reprogrammed or as mentioned look for a complete 2wd truck to raid for parts.

[BustedTruck]

You can't just put the extension housing on. You will have to change the output shaft. You also need to figure out how to get fuel to the engine and have theft theft system flashed out of the pcm.

[Normy71]

Looks like the 4WD trans will not work with out a tail shaft being added to it .The transmission would have to be stripped and tail piece parts added to it which would cost a lot of $.
I cannot seem to find a tail piece adapter that would go in place transfer case.
looks like I should keep looking for a new donor truck that is a 2WD, or use this engine and find a new 2wd transmission.
Thanks

[drtwhls]

the engine install isn't too bad on a 2wd. You have 2 options. Order the ECE motormounts or get a set of LS1 adaper plates that will utilize your stock motor mounts. You'll also need to do some research on which oil pan to use... I think the truck pan is the preffered on our 2wd trucks. Oh yeah, finding the right manifolds or headers seems to be tricky too, unless you are willing to hack your frame...

I am finishing the mock up of my LQ4 into a 4wd chassis. I used the adapter plates because the ECE plates are 2wd specific. I had to modify the crossmember to work. The a/c still requires a solution on my build, but I am almost there

You definitely need a 2wd transmission, I assume that you'll be using the stock comuter with the 4l60E/4l80e. The complete 2wd tranny won't require any additional mods like a 4wd tranny (i.e. tail shaft, speed sensors, etc).

LS1truck.com is a great site for information, the member redheartbeat has a huge wealth of information about the entire swap and who has the right parts.

Good luck!

[LOW DOUGH]

I thought you couldn't change tail shafts on these tranys. You would have to just have the right application. A 2wd trany for a 2wd and a 4wd trany for a 4wd. Am I right here. I thought is wasn't like the older transmissions.

[boostat4500]

Tail shafts can be changed. My buddy adapted his 2WD 4L60E to a 71 FJ Cruiser T-case. Still would be easier though to just find a 2WD tranny.

[68 short step]

the 2wd and the 4wd output shafts are diffrent.....so you cant just swap out the tail cone or tail housings......
but IMO it would be easier/cheaper to find the tranny for your application, instead of converting it...

[Normy71]

Thanks Guy's
I decided with help from this great site to let the 4x4 donor truck go to someone else and look for a 2wd 5.3
Thanks
Again

[ERASER5]

Hmm... And here I am thinking of putting an entire 5.3,trans, and transfer case under my 2 wheel drive. Why? I work my truck. 4Lo is 4Lo no matter if the fronts are engaged. Just my weird thoughts.

[Normy71]

Good point!
How would you hook up the shift?

[ERASER5]

Don't know. But if I had the entire truck, I am sure I could come up with something. The switch is there right? Wiring diagrams and planning is the place to start.

[boostat4500]

Stay away from the push button t-case. When I first did the swap in my truck, that's what I had, NP246. The problem is they are full time 4wd. There is no way to disconnect power to the front drive shaft. On a stock height truck it might work better than mine however. I have since swapped to a mechanical linkage t-case out of the same year (2001) truck and it's much nicer.

[chadio72]

I'm beginning a similar project, only my 68 cab is going on a 01 gmc k1500 chassis. I will be starting a build thread on it soon, this is a big project. chop the frame, fab mounts, retain all electronics, a/c/ etc....

[Normy71]

chadio72 sounds like we have the same Idea's
Welcome to this site lots of great people and info
I have learned lots in the short time I have been on this site.
chadio72 send me a message and lets swap some idea's

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

Change motor over to a carb, hei dist, then you could loose the wireing harness, get a bellhouseing addaptor run a turbo 400 and call it a day. My son and i are doing a carb on a 6.0 with a turbo 400 trans......

[chadio72]

if i have problems with electronics, i will carb it, but i am a former dealer tech, i know the computer systems fairly well. my only worry is the security system. as long as all switches and sensors are retained, i should be ok.

[chadio72]

i want to retain the 01 ac system, not sure yet how i am going to make that happen yet, a lot of custom work on the hvac box probly. this truck will be all modern under 68 sheetmetal. i plan on grafting the ins. cluster into an old dash panel, i will post pics when it happens

[brad_man_72]

Originally Posted by 1971 GMC SHORTY

Change motor over to a carb, hei dist, then you could loose the wireing harness, get a bellhouseing addaptor run a turbo 400 and call it a day. My son and i are doing a carb on a 6.0 with a turbo 400 trans......

something i saw on another site $800 for a carb intake, then you still need to control the spark.
why not spend the $1200+ for a carb swap on doing the computer and harness. keep the low end torque and fuel savings?