I have an 04 2wd truck with a 5.3 that I've done quite a bit to over the years and only has ~80k on it. Problem is she's getting rusty (frame) and I want 4x4.

I have an opportunity to grab a 94 OBS 4x4 (sentimental) and would like to swap my 5.3 into it.

Is the 94 a 4L60E, and what is required to wire it up with my DBW LS? I am thinking purchasing aStandalone harness although I have the complete truck to pull from.

 

I would make an effort to keep the 80k mile 4l60e in your donor truck. Probably change tailhousing/output shaft to adapt to existing transfer case. If you are staying a stock-ish application on the setup you are miles ahead using the factory harness & pcm. If you have a little fabrication ability most of the engine bay can be swapped over.

 

Thanks for the response. I was under the impression that the transmission had to be torn down to replace the output shaft which I think I want to avoid. I do have a transmission guy which I suppose I could see what he’d charge.

Yes I am a good fabricator but my wiring abilities are fairly primitive. When you say use factory harness and pcm, i would like to do that but not sure what needs to be cut back, etc. Are you saying to swap over under hood fuse block and all of that?

 

I believe you are correct on trans tear down for output shaft change. With a 4l60e I would always feel more comfortable running one that you know the history & the trans guy could check it out during the conversion. I think you can swap radiator, reservoirs, airbox & everything given the similar size & layout. Trimming back the factory harness & providing power to factory fuse box would be a value priced route. LT1swap website has a ton of wiring diagrams.

 

Thanks for the info. That was my general idea. Although I thought a DBW standalone harness might simplify things? At ~$200 seems to be worth it. Thoughts?

Would a 4x4 4L60E from 2004 be a direct swap behind my 2004 5.3? What i mean is, would the pcm recognize/drive the transmission without any modification?

 

I know that the standalone harnesses have come way down. I have no personal experience with some of the ebay options. You will have to make sure that the new harness has the right MAF, injector, O2, etc plugs if you plan to use all the existing stuff. They are usually setup for car intake & injectors. I don't have a 100% answer on the transmission swap. I know some 4wd transmissions use an output sensor on the transfer case but I can't confirm. You are going to need security & basic emissions stuff deleted from your PCM so changes could be made then.