[soSldI4i]

My 93 Suburban had the 4l60-e transmission go out on it. Instead of having a crappy transmission rebuilt or replaced with another crappy automatic, I'm thinking of buying a wrecked pickup with a 5 speed manual and doing a transplant.

The wreck has a 4.3 instead of the 5.7, which should fit the bell housing pattern and accept the flywheel since it is the same engine minus two cylinders. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

The firewall has the knockouts for the clutch master cylinder.

It looks like the Suburban has a place to mount the clutch pedal bracket. If not, I can make something work.

Cutting a hole in the floor won't be a problem.

My biggest question is: Will the computer be OK with the fact that it is no longer plugged into an automatic transmission? If so, how do I remedy that?

Also, will the cruise work the same with a standard as it does with the auto? I think it should since it's getting the signal from the tailshaft.

Is there anything else I am overlooking?

[SarkisPioute]

umm... how about repairing the truck, selling it, and getting what you really want?

[7HlBQS8j]

I can't speak for the changeover, but how about a 4l65e, those are tougher than the 60e's. You could always go for a 4l80e but that to me is overkill for a 6cylinder.

[Gubocang]

I don't think so Horsehoe. Because if that switch isn't plugged all it's going to do is send the shift signals to something that isn't there and the engine "should" work normally, gas on gas off kinda deal. Just my opinion of course.

[Worseacar]

Depending upon changes in the lengh of the transmission a new drive shaft might be in your future.

[rionetrozasa]

Ximmy, the Suburban was never offered in a stick shift, which is what I really want. This breakdown is kind of an opportunity to make a vehicle that GM never had enough sense to make. (If it will actually work.)

LS, I've considered one of those, and I know they are tougher, but still I've never owned an auto that WASN'T the first major component to fail, and I've never owned a standard that WAS. And to clarify, the Suburban is a 350. The donor truck would be the 4.3. I may end up putting an auto back in, but I wanted to explore the option of a standard.

GoD, That's what I'm hoping for too. I need to find out for sure before I start this though.

Palani, I kind of expect that too. That would be pretty simple/cheap in the scheme of things.

[Juersdodfs]

LS, I've considered one of those, and I know they are tougher, but still I've never owned an auto that WASN'T the first major component to fail, and I've never owned a standard that WAS. And to clarify, the Suburban is a 350. The donor truck would be the 4.3. I may end up putting an auto back in, but I wanted to explore the option of a standard.

LOL, I was gonna say I've never heard of a 4.3 in a sub before.

I've driven a stick sub, but it was earlier than a 93.

[29clepayJainync]

The trans will bolt right up, the length should be the same too. Your issue is going to be the computer signals. If you retrofit the computer from a stick shift similar vehicle you should be good to go. Leaving the current computer is just going to be a nightmare to fix. Is there a separate computer just for the transmission? That's probably the angle to look at.

[venediene]

Depending upon changes in the lengh of the transmission a new drive shaft might be in your future.

Palani makes an excellent point.

[Meenepek]

The clutch pedal would need to drop it out of cruise when depressed. You would probably need a switch on the clutch pedal but it could probably be wired into the same switch on the brake pedal that you already have. The computer won't have a separate input for this switch.

[n2Oddw8P]

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Save your money and get a built transmission http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...php?ITEMID=659

[Tam04xa]

I've never owned an auto that WASN'T the first major component to fail, and I've never owned a standard that WAS.

Unfortunately the mechanical superiority of Manual trannies has not been true in the last 20 years because the automakers have figured out ways to make them fail, like case-supported needle bearings for the cluster gear. The only advantage of a manual tranny is that they usually warn you before they fail completely.
My 90 1/2 ton Suburban had a 700R4 auto and it was still working like new at 165K miles when I sold it.

[remstaling]

Is there anything else I am overlooking?

Be sure to add some purple neon lights underneath, and don't forget the spinning rims.

[dafodilkemmy]

umm... how about repairing the truck, selling it, and getting what you really want?

i have to say i agree with ximmy.... by the time you go through all the bullshit and expense, time etc., to accomplish this, it would be more logical to fix it, dump it, and buy something else.

another option would be to buy something like a 93 silverado or similar with stick shift, then put your suburban body on the silverado frame. if you bought one that has the options your sub is already set up for, it would be pretty much plug and play at that point. i would think most of the wiring harnesses for same year models would be interchangable. check your local wreckers...might find a sweet deal.

[usaguedriedax]

Unfortunately the mechanical superiority of Manual trannies has not been true in the last 20 years because the automakers have figured out ways to make them fail, like case-supported needle bearings for the cluster gear. The only advantage of a manual tranny is that they usually warn you before they fail completely.
My 90 1/2 ton Suburban had a 700R4 auto and it was still working like new at 165K miles when I sold it.

I have very limited experience with sticks newer than 1990, so I guess I should have considered this. I was basing my statement on my vast experience comparing the Muncie 4 speed vs. Turbo 250/350 in the same vehicles. The 4 speed always wins. But yah, I can see how that would be a problem for them and they would need to design a manual that would break sooner.

I've had a few 4T60-Es in Bonnevilles, and they were typical 150,000 and then the planet carrier breaks. Not too impressive.

At this point, I'm leaning toward Skid's suggestion. My main problem with autos is reliability. I really like the rest of the Suburban, I was just gunshy about putting an auto back in it. If I can get a souped up tranny like that for the same price as a regular rebuild, that soulnds like the way to go.

[ImmimiFruff]

Don't forget the differential. You are probably geared for an automatic, like a 3:35 and will need to go to a 3:51 or 3:73

[Styparty]

Hmmm... doubt you can get a beefed one for the same price as a rebuild. During my racing career i had to rely on trans builders and that truly sucked. Last straw was Jim Howe from Howe Racing, he was to build me a good one but just turned into a big asshole and stole my 4 grand. Eventually I broke down and bought some books and built one myself. In retrospect that was what I should have done in the beginning, I just thought they were big old gray mystery boxes.

There has to be some sites that cover a manual to auto swap in a similar vehicle, there are sites for everything.

[Dynasty]

I've only rebuilt 2 automatic transmissions in my life, the last one was in 1984. As I remember, the parts were about $35. It's much cheaper to rebuild an automatic than a manual if you're doing it yourself.
Ditto on the gearing comments, it's very annoying to have a manual tranny that's doing 10 MPH in first and 15 MPH in reverse at 1000 RPM.

[Zhgrlpil]

They make 4l60's that take 1000 horsepower and live.

http://www.jegs.com/p/ATI/ATI-700R4-...37722/10002/-1

It is a very popular dragracing trans good oil and a real cooler not the shitty stock one.Buy an upgraded one which is not much more than a rebuilt/new stocker and enjoy.

[chuecaloversvvp]

Ximmy, the Suburban was never offered in a stick shift, which is what I really want.

Both my '70 and '84 Subs were stick. My '93 Sub with a 454ci and 4L60e was the first vehicle i turned in under California's Lemon Law. Blown trannies were only part of the many problems.