2007 yukon denali XL AWD to 4x4 conversion.

[DuramaxDenali]

I was wondering what it would take to swap my 2007 1500 yukon XL Denali AWD 6.2l and 6L80 to the 4x4 system out of a suburban, run the same selector switch but keep the front diff so in the winter we can run it in AWD 24/7 without hurting things. Entire purpose of this, the 6.2 gets a miserable 14-18mpg while my 08 suburban with the 5.3 gets 18-24mpg. I'm hoping doing this will atleast get my 6.2l to 18-22. I have an entire parts vehicle at my disposal, but iam unfamiliar with the modifications of anything after 2006, I have a manual swapped 2004 duramax, a manual 4x4 shift swapped GMC 1500hd and these older models were always easy to modify. My parts vehicle is a 2007 1500 suburban 4x4 5.3 4l60E. Also my goal is in doing this i don't want any lights on the dash and want it to look factory. I would truly appreciate the help!

 

[swathdiver]

Well, I would think that you'd want the wiring harness and modules from a 2009+ Suburban or Yukon XL. You would basically be converting your Denali over to that while keeping the 6.2. If you are required to swap engine harness as well, then look for 2010+ harness out of a Suburban or Yukon XL and the 2009 did not have VVT but did come with the 6L80.

You'll want to check with ACDelco's TDS system to see which modules are available to program with your VIN. Meaning, does GM make the transfer case module available to you since your Denali doesn't have one? I don't know but I'd be looking for the answer to that before getting started on the hardware.

 

[DuramaxDenali]

Well, I would think that you'd want the wiring harness and modules from a 2009+ Suburban or Yukon XL. You would basically be converting your Denali over to that while keeping the 6.2. If you are required to swap engine harness as well, then look for 2010+ harness out of a Suburban or Yukon XL and the 2009 did not have VVT but did come with the 6L80.

You'll want to check with ACDelco's TDS system to see which modules are available to program with your VIN. Meaning, does GM make the transfer case module available to you since your Denali doesn't have one? I don't know but I'd be looking for the answer to that before getting started on the hardware.

Thank you, but for clarification, why would I use a 2010 engine wiring harness and a 2009 transmission harness for a 2007 Yukon? I don't quite understand that. Also what does the TDS have to do with the swapping of modules? Is TDS that integrated into these 2007+ vehicles?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

@swathdiver will respond to your request for clarification.

Regarding TDS, I believe that the reference here is that you have to program certain modules to your VIN, in order for them to operate correctly. In order to do that, the module must be inherently capable of being programmed to your specific vehicle and modified hardware that you are installing.

 

[swathdiver]

Thank you, but for clarification, why would I use a 2010 engine wiring harness and a 2009 transmission harness for a 2007 Yukon? I don't quite understand that. Also what does the TDS have to do with the swapping of modules? Is TDS that integrated into these 2007+ vehicles?

You have no wiring for a transfer case or a transfer case computer module. My understand is that the Borg Warner AWD transfer case has no controls.

If you have to change engine wire harnesses, I don't know that you do, you would want the 2010+ because the 2009 does not have VVT. Better yet, get an engine harness from a 6.2 pickup that already has the L9H as all of the others would be configured for AFM. Whether this even has to be done would be discovered after comparing wiring diagrams.

As my friend Joseph states, the modules aren't plug and play. Well, most of them are not, they have to be programmed to your vehicle configuration in order to work at all or work properly.

 

[j91z28d1]

didn't someone do this with a manual shifted t case in a thread not that long ago. floor mounted shifter? seemed clean enough.

the thing about the TDS I think he's talking about, is when you replace a module in your truck, most of the time you need to flash it to your vehicle, some times they do just work thou. you do that by going to the acdelco website site and using a pass thru of some type, usually a scanner but there are other cheaper options. the gm website used to be like 40$ per vin and it will use the obd2 port to flash the module to your vehicle so that everything works together. down side is you can't pick what's flashed, it goes by your vin number and the build code gm has for that vin. so if your truck didn't come with a module for a transfer case and you wire one in. it's possible it will work, but if it doesn't and you need to flash it to the truck since it wasn't an option for your build. gm software will not work. there just won't be an option in the drop down menu.


I don't remember what tranny the other guy put the manual transfer case behind. if it was your 6l80 or not.

just for a small info I know but probably won't help you at all. the only Denali I know of that got the 4x4 transfer case that had the 2wd, auto, 4hi 4lo switch was used in the hybrid denali's. I can only guess they did it for 2wd fuel mileage? but it's not a 6L80 tranny in those. it's a 2ML70. I have no clue if that t case would bolt to a 6L80. be cool if it did thou. auto is what you're looking for driving it in the winter. got some clutch pack in it, that can send power to the front during slip but doesn't need to all the time.