Blackwater
Member
Dead 4.2 swap to 6.0
- Thread starter Decembersend
- Start date
I was just curious what ended up happening with this project, what did you end up using for a transmission cross member? Did you keep the one from the I6 or did you have to get an aftermarket one?
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Sorry for the hiatus, I was playing catch up from the holidays. The project is still on but we bought a new toy in December so it slowed down a little bit.
I recently purchased some Prothane bushings and Moog Ball joints and over the weekend I ripped apart the entire front end and began sanding and painting everything with rustoleum black hammered.
I recently purchased some Prothane bushings and Moog Ball joints and over the weekend I ripped apart the entire front end and began sanding and painting everything with rustoleum black hammered.
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Got the ball joints in. However I'm having a hard time pressing the old bushings out due to rust. Anyone have any suggests on that? Right now they're soaking in vinegar to break the rust free.
Pictures of the ball joints
Pictures of the ball joints
Mooseman
Moderator
Had the same problem. I had to burn them out with a torch and then use an air hammer to get the shells out.
northcreek
Member
Any shop with a hefty hydraulic press should be able to pop those babies out no problem,supporting them properly during the pressing is most important, otherwise like Mooseman says, they will have to come out in pieces...Mike.
@Decembersend ...Dude... Those images you took of ALL the major front end suspension parts are PRICELESS! At least I now have an good idea of what all the Heavy Hardware looks like under the front end of the TB and a fair idea of how much work would be involved for disassembly. Thanks for posting the photos!
EDIT:
No wonder your having trouble getting these out... They're built like the German Pillboxes along Normandy Beach on June 6th, 1944...!...and Dug in like an Alabama Tick!
But its either that... or wind up having to pay $300 per side on eBay for something like this...
EDIT:
No wonder your having trouble getting these out... They're built like the German Pillboxes along Normandy Beach on June 6th, 1944...!...and Dug in like an Alabama Tick!
But its either that... or wind up having to pay $300 per side on eBay for something like this...
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- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
I'm going to leave them soaking over the weekend to see if the vinegar actually works or not. The color of the vinegar as changed to a brownish color so far so we'll see.
If not I do have torches. I forgot to add in my earlier post that me and my buddy were using is 20T press with ball joint cups and they barley moved.
The sad thing is my buddy and I were using his 20T press and it barely moved. I'm going to leave them soaking for the weekend and see what happens. If nothing I will use torches.
Not a problem at all.
If anyone has to remove the LCA that's been rusting for years and plans to get alignment afterwards I suggest removing the lower bracket to remove help remove the LCA.
The problem that I experienced was the bolts that hold the LCA to the bracket were rusted in there and it was such a pain to remove while it was on the vehicle. That's how I did the Passenger side on the Drivers side I took everything off as one piece except for the UCA.
Bill Reid
Member
Wow! Great thread. Note to self. If attempting 4.2 to 5.3/6.0 swap first obtain a V8 roll over or totaled from the back 
I had no idea of the different location of the EBCM making the brake lines different.
I read through the thread but haven't seen too much chatter about wiring harnesses. Aren't the PCM connectors different between the older 4.2 TB's and the newer V8's? Are you going to cut/splice your original harnesses or obtain correct one's (interior/chassis) from junk yard?
I had no idea of the different location of the EBCM making the brake lines different.I read through the thread but haven't seen too much chatter about wiring harnesses. Aren't the PCM connectors different between the older 4.2 TB's and the newer V8's? Are you going to cut/splice your original harnesses or obtain correct one's (interior/chassis) from junk yard?
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Wow! Great thread. Note to self. If attempting 4.2 to 5.3/6.0 swap first obtain a V8 roll over or totaled from the back
I read through the thread but haven't seen too much chatter about wiring harnesses. Aren't the PCM connectors different between the older 4.2 TB's and the newer V8's? Are you going to cut/splice your original harnesses or obtain correct one's (interior/chassis) from junk yard?
That's next on the list of things to do. What I think I'm going to do is remove every pin from the new engine harness and put it into my old engine harness. This way there is no splicing and it'll be plug and play.
Bill Reid
Member
Hmm, I didn't think you needed to mess with the engine harness/connector(s) since it came with the engine and ECM. Is it complete and undamaged? I don't have everything in front of me like you do so I wouldn't know for sure. I was thinking more along the lines of the interior harness. As an example... below is pics of a mostly complete interior harness out of a 4.2 TB 4X2. The 4X4 version of this harness has the transfer case controller connectors. The interior harness is the "umbilical" from the PCM(ECM) to the BCM (and rear fuse box) including supporting wiring for all the dash components. If the PCM/ECM connector pins are the same then I would think all you need is schematics for your year TB and the year of the donor drivetrain. A problem you might run into with the 4.2 TB interior harness is its built to length and only has enough length to accommodate the factory location of the 4.2 PCM. I have never personally looked in the engine bay of a V8 TB... so I'm not too sure about harness routing. Is the ECM located further forward and close to the frame? I guess what I'm getting at is if you plan to keep your original interior harness (assuming PCM/ECM connector pins are the same) then you might need to find a way to mount your ECM near the engine bay fuse box.
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Good.
I am in the middle of my swap as well. Currently getting a Matte Black paint job, and as soon as that is done I will be finishing the motor. Mine is an 04 LS I6 and I've built a 5.3, ported and polished 243 heads, LS9 cam, 102mm LS1 intake manifold, SS oil pan, SS throttlebody, and LS1 water pump. Still have a little work to do to the motor but I am ready to go ahead and drop it in, get the new mounts installed and then finish the rest of the motor while its in. Already have the 04 EXT 5.3 PCM, found out only a few sensors are different on a 2001 1500 truck harness versus the 04 TB EXT 5.3 harness, so just going to do some connector swapping. Should be a fun project!
I am in the middle of my swap as well. Currently getting a Matte Black paint job, and as soon as that is done I will be finishing the motor. Mine is an 04 LS I6 and I've built a 5.3, ported and polished 243 heads, LS9 cam, 102mm LS1 intake manifold, SS oil pan, SS throttlebody, and LS1 water pump. Still have a little work to do to the motor but I am ready to go ahead and drop it in, get the new mounts installed and then finish the rest of the motor while its in. Already have the 04 EXT 5.3 PCM, found out only a few sensors are different on a 2001 1500 truck harness versus the 04 TB EXT 5.3 harness, so just going to do some connector swapping. Should be a fun project!
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Good luck with your swap.
I'm currently on the wiring stage and to be honest I've taken a bit of a break. Not really in a rush with it as I once was now that I have a reliable DD.
paul2005tb
Member
Many thanks for starting this thread, I will follow with great interest.
One question, why not install the 5.3L engine ?
One question, why not install the 5.3L engine ?
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Thanks for following.
Because the 6.0 has more power right off the bat, more mods for more added power. Plus installing a 6.0 is the same amount of work as a 5.3
Good luck with your swap.
I'm currently on the wiring stage and to be honest I've taken a bit of a break. Not really in a rush with it as I once was now that I have a reliable DD.
Same here. I've slowed down a bit. Weather is finally cooperating so I got 3 coats of paint on the body today. Hopefully have the bumpers done this weekend so I can put the body back together and get the interior redone
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Just letting everyone know. I will be starting this project back up very soon. Prob this weekend. Last weekend I replaced all the bushings with polyurethane and replaced the upper and lower ball joints with moogs.
- Dec 3, 2011
- 316
Bringing up an tread most probably thought was dead. I will be starting the project back this weekend. The plan this weekend is to work on converting the wire harness.
I just bought these to make life easier.
Lisle 57750 Wire Terminal Tool Kit
I just bought these to make life easier.
Lisle 57750 Wire Terminal Tool Kit
northcreek
Member
Just bought one too, could have used this so many times instead of improvising 
Mike.
Mike.
this is obviously way outdated but did you ever finish? I dont wanna sell my TB but cant seem to find anyone with a parts list on what i would need for the swap. i dont have a donor so was wondering if you had a complete parts list so i could order everything.
Blckshdw
Moderator
He doesn't get on here anymore, but I still keep in touch with him. He hasn't finished the V8 swap (yet) but he's going to be moving into a new place with more space than his last spot, so he said he plans to pick the project up again. He promised me, cuz I always give him a hard time about it.
damn that sucks im trying to get a price range together for the whole thing to approach the wife with XD she said i can go ahead but i dont think she knows how much im talking about here lolHe doesn't get on here anymore, but I still keep in touch with him. He hasn't finished the V8 swap (yet) but he's going to be moving into a new place with more space than his last spot, so he said he plans to pick the project up again. He promised me, cuz I always give him a hard time about it.
Mooseman
Moderator
Owning both an I6 and V8, I can approximate what you'll need.
6.0L engine with a GMT360/370 V8 oil pan, intake air duct and filter box with windshield washer/coolant tank, 4L70E tranny with V8 bellhousing and torque converter (or a beefed up 4L60E), TBSS 9.0 rear diff with driveshaft or at the very least one from a V8/EXT with 8.6 gears, exhaust Y pipe with cats, full engine wiring harness, PCM, TCM and fuse box, radiator, upper and lower hoses, engine mounts and frame brackets, front fuel line to fuel rail, A/C lines, might need to reprogram the BCM if it doesn't like talking to the V8 PCM.
Also need to add other ancillary parts like fluids, belts, water pump and thermostat, plugs, wires, etc.
6.0L engine with a GMT360/370 V8 oil pan, intake air duct and filter box with windshield washer/coolant tank, 4L70E tranny with V8 bellhousing and torque converter (or a beefed up 4L60E), TBSS 9.0 rear diff with driveshaft or at the very least one from a V8/EXT with 8.6 gears, exhaust Y pipe with cats, full engine wiring harness, PCM, TCM and fuse box, radiator, upper and lower hoses, engine mounts and frame brackets, front fuel line to fuel rail, A/C lines, might need to reprogram the BCM if it doesn't like talking to the V8 PCM.
Also need to add other ancillary parts like fluids, belts, water pump and thermostat, plugs, wires, etc.
Im trying to decide buying a brand new turn key stay LQ9 or a used one thats just bare right now. Also thank you.
Trying to get your hands on some of these items might Start a Fist Fight over Getting Them out of a Salvage Yard that is lucky enough to have the Items you need. For example(s):
This information is to suggest that you might want to Prioritize the List of items you want to go after during The Early Days of The Build.
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Front Body Engine Wire Harness OEM | eBay
Has been used previously. It's pulled from used 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. VEHICLE MODEL: TrailBlazer. VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet. VEHICLE YEAR: 2006. - Local pick up is available.
rover.ebay.com
Oil Pan 2007 Trailblazer Sku#2507124 | eBay
Our Part #: 311-00102, 2507124. TRAILBLAZER EXT 06 5.3L. TRAILBLAZER 06-09 6.0L. TRAILBLAZER 06-08 5.3L. 20% OFF SALE! 30%OFF SALE!! 40% OFF SALE!! 20% OFF!
rover.ebay.com
2006 GMC Chevy Buick Engine Control Module Unit ECM 12589585 A15 022 for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2006 GMC Chevy Buick Engine Control Module Unit ECM 12589585 A15 022 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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This information is to suggest that you might want to Prioritize the List of items you want to go after during The Early Days of The Build.
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He doesn't get on here anymore, but I still keep in touch with him. He hasn't finished the V8 swap (yet) but he's going to be moving into a new place with more space than his last spot, so he said he plans to pick the project up again. He promised me, cuz I always give him a hard time about it.
Just read this ls swap thread. Anyone kno how to get ahold of decembersend? I'd love to get ahold of him about progress.
Its October 31,2020 I'd love to read about the ls v8 swap. Please get on here and post update/pics/videos. I have a 2006 gmc envoy 4.2L that just blew a rod out of the block. Now after reading your thread I'm very interested on a parts list and a range of money spent..
Mooseman
Moderator
You can try sending him a PM but no guarantees. He hasn't logged on here since 2017.
