'98 Busurban Storm Chase Vehicle Build

[jjester6000]

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Well I determined that the problem was indeed with the rear end.

Luckily, my local (Peoria IL) Upull came through with this rear end from a '97 Tahoe that's got half the miles, and is identical to my old one.

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I'm going to get it all put back together tomorrow, I just need to get some new Ubolts, I know that you aren't supposed to reuse them, and these ones were about to. snap.

 

[jjester6000]

So some interesting things have hapended over the past few days.

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First off, I got the new rear end in, and it fixed the issue and all was great. The truck drove all the way to Denver with no issues, then as I was about to back into a parking space at my apartment, NOTHING!

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No reverse whatsoever!!

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I checked the fluid, and it was burnt and smelled horrible. Needless to say, I am now in need of a transmission.

 

[Caman96]

At least she got you home.

 

[jjester6000]

It's probably going to be a month or so before I can fix the truck, so I'm driving 'Ol Yeller for the time being.

The way I see it, I got a few options to get this truck back on the road.

Option 1:

(No way I'm buying a used 4l60e)
I could order a transmission from Monster Transmission and stick in in front of the original 316,000 Tcase. I don't have the money to rebuild the Tcase right now, and it tends to make some noise in 4wd.

Option 2:

Pick up a used NV3500 5spd transmission and swap it in. This apparently isn't as difficult at I've been lead to believe. Since it bolts right in place of the 4l60e.

The clutch master cylinder and pedal assembly bolt right in (after cutting out the knock out plates).

Now wiring might sound like an issue given the fact that the ECM is now running without its computer controlled transmission, but I proved that a 4l60e can be swapped for a non computer controlled transmission with a few workarounds I devised.

My next problem is with finding a 4wd NV3500 complete with Tcase. At least around here, a complete set up commands a bunch of money, but 2wd NV3500s are plentiful and cheap.

This brings me to another choice:

What do I want more, 4wd, and a manual transmission?

Manual Transmission definitely.

What do you guys think about this?

 

[98chevy2500SS]

You could swap to a 4L80E if you wanted to keep the auto, but can't go wrong with the manual either.

 

[df2x4]

I could order a transmission from Monster Transmission

Personally I think I'd have more confidence in a used junkyard unit than anything from Monster. I've read a bunch of horror stories about them over the years.

 

[jjester6000]

Personally I think I'd have more confidence in a used junkyard unit than anything from Monster. I've read a bunch of horror stories about them over the years.

Oh, well I've heard good things about them, I'll do some more research.

 

[df2x4]

Gearstar and Hughes are two transmission builders I've heard nothing but good about, but they're both expensive. Like $4-5K for a 4L60E, which personally I couldn't justify. I got the whole 4L80E swap in my red truck done for just under $4K and did none of the labor myself.

 

[fancyTBI]

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Well I determined that the problem was indeed with the rear end.

Luckily, my local (Peoria IL) Upull came through with this rear end from a '97 Tahoe that's got half the miles, and is identical to my old one.

You must be registered for see images attach

I'm going to get it all put back together tomorrow, I just need to get some new Ubolts, I know that you aren't supposed to reuse them, and these ones were about to. snap.

You talking about Neal’s U Pull N Save? I go there pretty often. In the warmer months I go about 1-2 times a month.

 

[jjester6000]

You talking about Neal’s U Pull N Save? I go there pretty often. In the warmer months I go about 1-2 times a month.

Yup, they've never done me wrong.

I've been going there since I was 16 (I used a fake ID to get in the yard).