'00 2wd 4l80 in a '93 4x4

[jweller90]

Reading several posts around here I think this should be a possible swap.

Specifically information from THEFERMANATOR

I have a 93 k2500 with the 6.5 & 4l80.
Currently no forward gears in an gear position. Only reverse and reverse is strong.

Looking at picking up an 2000 4l80 that's 2wd that's has a slip yoke output.

From what I understand the 2wd has the reluctor wheel I need and the slip yoke has a full spline output that with the tail housing removed I can cut and put my tcase adapter and t case on.
- somewhere I read I'll need you swap a plug in the rear of the trans when doing this. Any info on this?

I'll the need to swap over my valve body, solenoids, harness, and shift lever to make this swap work in my truck.

Besides that I'll be looking at getting a new torque converter as I cannot verify the one I have is a low stall (trans had been swapped) and the one from the new trans was behind a 350 so it should be a mid stall. I remember reading that the convertors changed somewhere around 2000, does that also mean there is a compatibility issue?


Reason for wanting to do this is the new trans seemed to have several upgrades throughout the years & this one's cheap with under 100k on it.

What's everyone's thoughts

 

[jrsavoie]

Personally I would just have the 93 rebuilt.

 

[dbrannon79]

swapping out valve bodies you will loose some of the upgrades that were done, but also it's needed for it to work properly with the 93 factory TCM.
one other thing you missed is youll need to swap out the shift shafts so your linkage will connect to the trans. the newer trans were setup for a cable where your 93 uses steel bars and linkage to the column.

But do not toss anything from your old trans away for several months after this is done. you might find that you tossed something you needed.

 

[jweller90]

Personally I would just have the 93 rebuilt.

Would like to get some of the upgrades from the newer trans such as rear cooling and larger components(can't remember exactly off hand) plus this should be way cheaper than a rebuild. Plus if I need to rebuild later Im still starting with better components

 

[jweller90]

swapping out valve bodies you will loose some of the upgrades that were done, but also it's needed for it to work properly with the 93 factory TCM.
one other thing you missed is youll need to swap out the shift shafts so your linkage will connect to the trans. the newer trans were setup for a cable where your 93 uses steel bars and linkage to the column.

But do not toss anything from your old trans away for several months after this is done. you might find that you tossed something you needed.

Plan on keeping the old for a while and they are getting more difficult to come by.
And by shift lever I meant shaft, but thank you for mentioning it.

Would you happen to know about the convertors? Are all compatible with all years?

 

[dbrannon79]

I'm no trans expert but I do know the converters are different depending on what engine was driving them. an example is take two identical trucks same year, one with a 6.5 diesel and the other with a 350 gas. the converters will be different on the stall RPM as well as a few other minor differences. iirc the 454 and the 6.5 diesels use the same converters but don't quote me on that. I would recommend you get a triple disc converter so when towing and heavy loads you won't burn out the lock up clutches. that is the weak link in the 4l80e's. if you burn up the lockup disc it will glitter bomb the trans and it just goes down hill fast from there....

I don't want to give you incorrect info but @THEFERMANATOR does pop in here every now and then. his knowledge is well worth it's weight in gold.