4.8L Gen IV Swap in 4 Days???

[ShagginWaggin]

This coming Thanksgiving weekend Thurs-Sunday I will be performing the drivetrain swap on my '88 GW. Trying to do it in 4 days or less. I have what I think are all of the parts except my radiator from novak(which is supposed to come in before Thanksgiving), radiator hoses, fuel hose, basically small stuff I can get at a local store. I have;
Engine 4.8L Gen IV out of a 2008 GMC Sierra
Trans 2008 4L60E 8LND with a B&M cooler and hoses/fitting. Also has Novak NP229 adapter installed on it. Lokar Dipstick
Novak engine mounts and trans mount
Wiring Harness done by Novak
Electric cooling fan (new) from ford and plugs/connectors
Sanderson block hugger headers. I have O2 weld in bungs. (making my dual 2.5 exhaust)
GM14C Fuel Tank and Fuel pump with a reservoir that I made fit. Corvette Regulator
Lokar Shifter Kit

http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/Njfalkovitz/library/

Need, (opinions please)
mufflers?? what kind?

What else am I missing?

[lobie]

I spent more time wiring than the actual install. I rewired and upgraded the old fuse panel.

TC shifter
Drive shaft lengths
Wiring, fuses, relays (typically Pink wires are hot on ignition/start and orange are hot at all times. All fused)
Bolts, nuts, fluids
Throttle pedal
Intake port plugs (I didn't use all the vacuum ports)
Gauge wiring (at least oil pressure for initial start)
Remove VATS from ECM
Heater hose
Clamps

It's the little things you don't think of that you have to stop and run to the store for.

I'd suggest taking the whole front clip off for easy access. It doesn't take much time.

[Mdcptman]

Just curious, What made you choose the 4.8 instead of a 5.3?

[ShagginWaggin]

Lobie, I have all of that covered except the driveshafts. Do you have any insight for me? I've got the NP229 so I'll just extend the vacuum lines. But I planned on leaving the front drive shaft off for now if needed.

Mdcptman, this particular version of the 4.8L doesn't have the cylinder deactivation and has 295hp and 305tq. So it beats some 5.3s. Miles/price also sold me.

[ShagginWaggin]

Thinking about stuff. New power steering to my s10 gearbox. How'd you hook yours up?

[Mdcptman]

Thinking about stuff. New power steering to my s10 gearbox. How'd you hook yours up?

Who, me?
I hooked it up like the old one. Just w 3 mounting bolts. Hoses are the same if u have a 80s model w o ring fittings. Jeep pitman arm just bolts right on.

[ShagginWaggin]

I guess I should've been more specific. I wanted to know about the hoses but you answered it for me. Saves me some dough I just replaced those. Do you know what that steam vent gets hooked to?

[lobie]

I guess I should've been more specific. I wanted to know about the hoses but you answered it for me. Saves me some dough I just replaced those. Do you know what that steam vent gets hooked to?

Steam vent needs to be plumbed to the highest point in the cooling system. I brazed a fitting into the top of the radiator. I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow.

[lobie]

Lobie, I have all of that covered except the driveshafts. Do you have any insight for me? I've got the NP229 so I'll just extend the vacuum lines. But I planned on leaving the front drive shaft off for now if needed.

You're gonna need to wait till the tranny and tc is mounted. Then need to measure ride height and full droop distance from axle u joint to TC ujoint/flange. It'll be hard to get full compression. I give full droop and ride height to my drive shaft guy. He adds a little extra to in to be safe.

[lobie]

Thinking about stuff. New power steering to my s10 gearbox. How'd you hook yours up?

Lines???I use "field" fittings so I make my own lines. Easy fix if one goes too. I get mine from here:
http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/Fi ... s_s/75.htm

[ShagginWaggin]

It is finally in!!! What a struggle this swap has become. Setback after problem, but she's in.



Anything that you want to know please ask now while it's easy to take pictures.

[243]

What problems?

[lobie]

What problems?

Everything you didn't think of.....................

[Nikkormat]

updates?

[AwesomeJ10]

To the OP. Very nice.

How many engines swaps have you performed in the past?

I've done my share of engine/tranny/t-case/axle/suspension swaps and always thought I could pull it off in a few days. I've even came close before. I did a GM 4.3/700R4/Atlas/D44/14 bolt swap into my old '88 GW in two weeks just before Ouray last year. I got it all together and actually drove it down to Ouray, 'wheeling on the way. Ended up breaking the stock shock mounts (installed Fox shocks as well) and had troubles with the twin stick Atlas shifters. Other than that it made the trip. Got frustrated at it and sold the entire truck (for stupid cheap) and now the guy who bought is having a good time with it. I have several more stories like this as well.

My main advice is - slow down.

Have a few gearhead friends over to look over your work. I bet you will find something that's 'not right' and then go back and change it. Much better now, than later.

Good luck!

[Tatsadasayago]

My friends, associates and family have a longstanding 'inside-joke':
"Yeah, it's a 30 minute job!"
That means it's going to take four days, several parts runs, blood, beer and profanity...

Definitely sage advice: Slow down!

[ShagginWaggin]

Engine and tranny are almost permanently set. Has anyone done this and had clearance problems with the high/low shifter. I was thinking about dropping the back of the trans to make it fit but it could make the front driveline angle way outta wack. Most wiring is done. Running the duals Friday and putting in the tank Thursday.

Questions. How far does the O2 sensor need to be from the headers?
Has anyone lowered the trans to clear the high/low lever?
On the jeep main relay do you just ground the old nuetral safety switch wire?

Blake. This is my first swap on a daily driver. Been ordering parts and preparing for the better part of 4 months. Reading up for longer. Trying to get it done asap

[AwesomeJ10]

How are you planning to mount the tranny/tcase?

I've done three FSJ swaps similar to this.

Two of the swaps involved making an entirely new crossmember. One of them was 'bolt in' to the existing factory holes. The other was welded in.

One of my swaps involves clearing the stock crossmember to allow for an atlas tcase with 1350 CV to clear.

Just curious...


Here is how my '88 GW with a 4.3/700R4/Atlas 2spd ended up






and here is how my '78 J20 Honcho with a AMC 360/nv4500/atlas 4spd/tons has been for years

[AwesomeJ10]

Well it's been over a week.

I take it you are complete with the swap and out 'wheeling right now?