ls swapping a k30
12-09-2019, 01:31 PM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
ls swapping a k30 Ok let me start by saying that i am not a ls expert, i come from a ford background but i am a huge fan of the k5-k30 body style. as of right now i have my eyes on a 1985 k30 dually 4x4 but before i go down this road i want to have a idea of what im in for. wanting to do a 6.0 or 6.2 swap with stage 2-3 cam and other supporting mods, what is the most reliable/strongest 4x4 transmission that will work with 6.0/6.2? any tips or tricks you can share? this k30 will need a new bed so i figured while i do that it will be a good time to take care of any frame work/wiring. like i said im no expert but all of my friends are ls swap fanatics and they have assured me that it is a fairly easy swap, if you have any info on a ls swap on c10 or k10,20,30 please share. i am starting from scratch, i have roughly $12,000 to spend on swap.
ALL THE KNOWLEDGE I GET IS HELPFUL THANK YOU!!
ALL THE KNOWLEDGE I GET IS HELPFUL THANK YOU!!
12-09-2019, 05:26 PM
#2
Holley will have your retro kit most likely for engine installation....header,oil pan, motor mounts....etc.
On transmission: 4l80e 4 spd elec trans. Also good for 4wd, they have 2 different makes. 1st gen & 2nd gen. Have both, only difference is spacing on the cooler lines.
On transmission: 4l80e 4 spd elec trans. Also good for 4wd, they have 2 different makes. 1st gen & 2nd gen. Have both, only difference is spacing on the cooler lines.
...I know a guy who's engine makes nuclear fusion hp #'s
12-09-2019, 07:05 PM
#3
Teching In
Thread Starter
another thing i just realized on the stock dana 44 the drive shaft will not line to the transfer case for a 6.0/6.2. only option i know of would be changing out the front axle to a dana 60. unless any of you know of a after market transfer case that will bolt up to a 4l80,4l60e so i can use the factory front axle. i have also looked into a th350 or th400. but id rather have a overdrive.
12-09-2019, 07:51 PM
#5
Can't list the name of the transmission place but they have Everything for a swap with the 4l80e. Think the names Monster...wink, wink°✓
They should have a transfer case ....or it's this other company .... forgot the name. But Google 4l80e 4x4 transfer case...Bingo was his name.
4L80E Transmission Heavy Duty 4WD 4x4
They should have a transfer case ....or it's this other company .... forgot the name. But Google 4l80e 4x4 transfer case...Bingo was his name.
Last edited by Smokey B; 12-09-2019 at 08:14 PM.
12-09-2019, 08:07 PM
#7
ModSquad
iTrader: (6)
Most guys do a ford front axle. It’s reversed and will work.
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12-09-2019, 08:18 PM
#9
Teching In
Thread Starter
so as of right now im guessing the easiest cheapest option would be a th400, would miss the overdrive but id rather not buy a new axle. and im guessing if i went this route the factory floor 4x4 shift would still work and i wouldnt need to upgrade to electric 4x4 shift, but would the th400 hold up? i am not familiar with it. i just know the 4l60e would not hold up to 400hp and dual rear tires haha.
12-11-2019, 04:36 PM
#11
On The Tree
The good news is this has been done plenty of times in the 2wd and 4x4 square bodies and there's lots of options depending on what combo you want to go with.
For the transmission the strongest option would be the 4L80E if you're wanting a computer controlled option to match the newer engine, otherwise you most likely already have a TH400 unless it's a manual which both can be adapted to work too...
Your K30 should already have a dana 60 up front and should be a passenger side drop which doesn't work with the newer LS transfer cases but there's plenty of other options for that. You most likely have a NP205 t-case in it that can be converted to a 32 spline input (if it isn't already) to work with a 4L80E and there's a company (Offroad Design) that will modify the output housing for a VSS to give the computer the signal it needs. Or you could pick up a NP241 out of a '90-'91 Suburban, Blazer, or 1 ton truck, it'll still be passenger side drop like yours but will have a VSS output on the t-case for the computer. Or if you're going with a 4L80E and having it rebuilt they could also just add the second VSS to the trans itself like the 2wd versions come from GM then you could keep the existing t-case and speedo. Or if you really want to use the newer t-case from the LS drivetrain you could swap to a Ford Dana 60 but the only ones that have the correct spring perch spacing is the 78-79 models and they're becoming pretty rare.
The other issue you'll have is finding a set of headers that work with a 4x4. Doug Thorley and Schoenfeld are the only ones I know of that make one specific for 4x4's, everything else is made for 2wd swaps or are for other applications that people played around with and got lucky. Or you can use factory TBSS or LS3 manifolds that should clear the frame without notching, just won't be as performance oriented. You'll also most likely want to rethink your cam choice, most stage 2-3 cams shift the power band up higher in the rpm's which is usually the opposite of what you'll want in a big heavy truck...
Once you know more about what route you're going to take as far as engine/trans combo we can help fine tune what you need from there.
Also, I'd definitely check out ck5 like Smokey B suggested, lots of guys over there have been down this road and have it pretty well figured out. Here, there, and 67-72chevytrucks is where I've been finding most of my info for doing the swap on my 84 K5 that'll be a getting a HCI LQ9, 4L80E, NP241, 1-ton axles, and 35" tires.
For the transmission the strongest option would be the 4L80E if you're wanting a computer controlled option to match the newer engine, otherwise you most likely already have a TH400 unless it's a manual which both can be adapted to work too...
Your K30 should already have a dana 60 up front and should be a passenger side drop which doesn't work with the newer LS transfer cases but there's plenty of other options for that. You most likely have a NP205 t-case in it that can be converted to a 32 spline input (if it isn't already) to work with a 4L80E and there's a company (Offroad Design) that will modify the output housing for a VSS to give the computer the signal it needs. Or you could pick up a NP241 out of a '90-'91 Suburban, Blazer, or 1 ton truck, it'll still be passenger side drop like yours but will have a VSS output on the t-case for the computer. Or if you're going with a 4L80E and having it rebuilt they could also just add the second VSS to the trans itself like the 2wd versions come from GM then you could keep the existing t-case and speedo. Or if you really want to use the newer t-case from the LS drivetrain you could swap to a Ford Dana 60 but the only ones that have the correct spring perch spacing is the 78-79 models and they're becoming pretty rare.
The other issue you'll have is finding a set of headers that work with a 4x4. Doug Thorley and Schoenfeld are the only ones I know of that make one specific for 4x4's, everything else is made for 2wd swaps or are for other applications that people played around with and got lucky. Or you can use factory TBSS or LS3 manifolds that should clear the frame without notching, just won't be as performance oriented. You'll also most likely want to rethink your cam choice, most stage 2-3 cams shift the power band up higher in the rpm's which is usually the opposite of what you'll want in a big heavy truck...
Once you know more about what route you're going to take as far as engine/trans combo we can help fine tune what you need from there.
Also, I'd definitely check out ck5 like Smokey B suggested, lots of guys over there have been down this road and have it pretty well figured out. Here, there, and 67-72chevytrucks is where I've been finding most of my info for doing the swap on my 84 K5 that'll be a getting a HCI LQ9, 4L80E, NP241, 1-ton axles, and 35" tires.
Last edited by NorCalAnthony; 12-11-2019 at 05:01 PM.
12-11-2019, 10:36 PM
#13
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
I run an LQ4 in my 1986 C-30 dually...
I run a 4l80e behind it. Lots of trouble free miles with this combo...
I swapped this a LONG time ago, but, I'll try and answer any questions you have.
I apologize for the dirt and grime, but I use it a lot...
01-07-2020, 05:59 PM
#15
so as of right now im guessing the easiest cheapest option would be a th400, would miss the overdrive but id rather not buy a new axle. and im guessing if i went this route the factory floor 4x4 shift would still work and i wouldnt need to upgrade to electric 4x4 shift, but would the th400 hold up? i am not familiar with it. i just know the 4l60e would not hold up to 400hp and dual rear tires haha.
Between the 6.0 and 6.2 motors, the 6.2 heads lean towards higher rpm power whereas the older style heads are better for low-mid grunt. Just something to consider.