Kicking around doing an LS swap

[R Carnella]

I run a 04 5.3 4L60E in my v2500 burb. I ran a micro switch down to my shifter that tells the ecm when im in low range otherwise low range will not work/shift properly

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[SquareRoot]

I run a 04 5.3 4L60E in my v2500 burb. I ran a micro switch down to my shifter that tells the ecm when im in low range otherwise low range will not work/shift properly

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That's one badass and beautiful vehicle. Well done!

 

[hoagster]

Here's another option if you use a np205 @ off road design that I'm kicking around still.

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[Bextreme04]

Here's another option if you use a np205 @ off road design that I'm kicking around still.

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Except that removes the mechanical drive and replaces it with a tone wheel and VSS sensor. So you cant keep a mechanical speedo while using that. At that point you might as well just get the Dakota digital 128k sensor for half the price and no downtime.

 

[Christian Nelson]

If you are set on doing an LS swap, by all means, go for it. But your statement that you can't get better than 8 mpg with small block, and 700r4 tells me something is seriously wrong with your engine, or something. Is it geared too low/high? is there a major fuel line leak? Only truck I had that got that bad of mpg, it was leaking fuel where I didn't notice, and it had 4.56 gearing with no OD.

I had another truck I got 10mpg out of, again geared low with no OD, it had 4.10 gearing.

My half ton back in the 90's used to get 12-14 with 36" tires, and no OD, 3.73 gears.

My current 84 with 700r4 gets 12-14, not sure the gears, but 32" tires.

Something else is up, maybe LS swap will improve it, but you may be able to figure it out without that.

 

[Vbb199]

If you are set on doing an LS swap, by all means, go for it. But your statement that you can't get better than 8 mpg with small block, and 700r4 tells me something is seriously wrong with your engine, or something. Is it geared too low/high? is there a major fuel line leak? Only truck I had that got that bad of mpg, it was leaking fuel where I didn't notice, and it had 4.56 gearing with no OD.

I had another truck I got 10mpg out of, again geared low with no OD, it had 4.10 gearing.

My half ton back in the 90's used to get 12-14 with 36" tires, and no OD, 3.73 gears.

My current 84 with 700r4 gets 12-14, not sure the gears, but 32" tires.

Something else is up, maybe LS swap will improve it, but you may be able to figure it out without that.

I agree with this ^

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

For what it's worth I get 16 mpg with my 5.3 LS swap. I am running the SM465 to the NP208 with a 3.08 gear and 33" tires.

 

[RoryH19]

I run a 04 5.3 4L60E in my v2500 burb. I ran a micro switch down to my shifter that tells the ecm when im in low range otherwise low range will not work/shift properly

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I need to do the same for my t-case.
What micro switch did you use and do you have any pics under the cover?

 

[RoryH19]

To OP. Check my k5 build. I cover most of what you need to know.
I run a LQ9 6.0LS/4L65E from an 04 Escalade and NP241c from a 90 burb along with the gauge cluster.

 

[SquareRoot]

Except that removes the mechanical drive and replaces it with a tone wheel and VSS sensor. So you cant keep a mechanical speedo while using that. At that point you might as well just get the Dakota digital 128k sensor for half the price and no downtime.

I lost the cheesy analog OEM gauges and put in a Dakota Digital dash. The kit comes with the adapter. I also had my 205 housing modified by ORD before I bought the gauges. I haven't swapped the 205 for the 208 yet but its a sweet setup. And the Dakota cruise control is even more sweet.

 

[R Carnella]

RoryH19 what micro switch did you use and do you have any pics under the cover?


Sorry no more pics but this is the switch I used. I just removed the shifter gate plate and epoxied the switch to the bottom side and positioned it just right. Then i just bolted the plate back on.If you look closely at the pic you

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can see the switch wheel just peeking through. I also use this signal and the tranfer case switch signal for the instrument cluster to indicate when it in 4x4 and low range on/off.

 

[R Carnella]

O forgot to mention the shifter gate plate is very hard steel and almost impossible to drill through hence the epoxy.

 

[Bextreme04]

I lost the cheesy analog OEM gauges and put in a Dakota Digital dash. The kit comes with the adapter. I also had my 205 housing modified by ORD before I bought the gauges. I haven't swapped the 205 for the 208 yet but its a sweet setup. And the Dakota cruise control is even more sweet.

I'm using 91 Suburban gauge with a tach and the original 205 on mine. No modification to add the VSS. I just used the 128k dakota digital adapter. Stock 97 K2500 suburban cruise control module and a Rostra retrofit cruise control turn signal stem to control it. Cluster was $50 and $112 for the sensor. Looks completely 1980 stock, but functions like a 97 Suburban.

 

[Bruce Wingate]

If you are set on doing an LS swap, by all means, go for it. But your statement that you can't get better than 8 mpg with small block, and 700r4 tells me something is seriously wrong with your engine, or something. Is it geared too low/high? is there a major fuel line leak? Only truck I had that got that bad of mpg, it was leaking fuel where I didn't notice, and it had 4.56 gearing with no OD.

I had another truck I got 10mpg out of, again geared low with no OD, it had 4.10 gearing.

My half ton back in the 90's used to get 12-14 with 36" tires, and no OD, 3.73 gears.

My current 84 with 700r4 gets 12-14, not sure the gears, but 32" tires.

Something else is up, maybe LS swap will improve it, but you may be able to figure it out without that.

My last tank got me 9.5 mpg. And I've been driving like a grandpa (sorry to all the grandpa's out there). I'm not looking to win any contests, but I'm hoping for 12 - 14 mpg. I knew mileage was going to be an issue when I bought the truck, but at one point it was down to under 6. I want better mileage mostly for convenience so I can go farther than 100 miles on a tank.

I've been working my way through the "other problems" and resolved a really rich condition and a few other carb related issues. I have not popped the Quadrajet off to look for leaking well plugs yet. That is on my to do list along with checking that the 700r4 is shifting into OD correctly (I think I am going to have to rig up a test light at the solenoid). I haven't done a leak/smoke test to look for vacuum leaks but have sprayed starting fluid all over the place with no changes and I haven't checked compression.

The LS swap is either going to be the last resort or if I come across a windfall. Right now, I am asking myself (and you guys) what I would need if I were going to do this so I can lay everything out to SWMBO for project approval.

 

[Bruce Wingate]

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I'm slightly confused - you have a Dakota Digital speedo - don't they take an electronic signal off the transfer case to keep the MPH correct? Or was that switch specifically to tell the computer you were in low gear?