Tranny Swap

[Greg Lowrey]

I have a 1994 K1500 5.7 with an NV4500. My wife loves driving the truck but is no longer able to manage using the clutch because of medical problems. She has a newer Malibu also but likes my old truck too. I want to swap the tranny out for an auto. My question is since there are no computer connections on the manual, can I use an older 700R4/4L60 and do a direct swap? I’m sure there will be a difference in the tail shaft lengths and probably the speedo connection but is there anything else that would interfere?

 

[burnhedge]

I've gone 700r4 to nv4500. They are the same length. Your current transfer case has a different input spline count than a 700r4 output.
You'll have to put in the bracket for a throttle valve cable and get it right.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

[MarkZ28]

If it wasnt 4x4 id swap trans with you. Didnt the half tons use the 3500?

 

[Greg Lowrey]

Sorry for the delay guys. We have been working 6 days a week here lately.
Thanks burnhedge I will do some more research on the swap before I decide.
Mark I believe you are right. The 3500s were used in half tons. I have considered converting it to 2wd also I have an automatic 2wd already so I’m leaning toward keeping it.

 

[gstubbz]

Damn. I would so trade you a transmission for your nv4500 if you were close! But either way, the spine output on all manual transmissions is 32, a 4L80e/TH400 is 32, and a 700r4/4L60e is 27.

Half tons usually got the nv3500, but if it came with a 6.5 it would be a nv4500, or you could special order a 1500 with a nv4500.

But you can use a old (pre 91) 700r4. I did the opposite going from a 4L60e to a nv3500 and the check engine light has yet to come on for a transmission code in a 93. Speedo connector will be the same. You will need a kickdown wire from the throttle body to the transmission as well.

If you're curious, maybe this might be of a little info although it's going backwards in the direction you're going, but I mentioned things that are different going from the auto to a manual in my build thread. It's a few pages in. http://www.gmt400.com/threads/1992-c1500-rclb-w-t1500-4-3-auto.38735/

 

[Greg Lowrey]

Mine happens to be the F44 package so it has the 14 bolt 3/4 ton rear end and an extra leaf. Pulls like a champ. I’d love to swap it even for an automatic though to keep the wife happy. May rethink the 700r4 and look into a TH400. That will hurt fuel mileage but it only makes short trips to the store and back.