4x4 97 tahoe build

[joshua52mcclain]

Starting this project in the next month or 2 got it for $500 the guy thought the trans was shot (its not it was in 4lo) . I've been running it hard since i bought it has been a trooper but it needs love. Im looking to do some general maintenance and some upgrades im on a budget around 1k looking for good budget parts to help me get her were i think it can be. Im running 265/75/16 general grabber mts on stock 2000-2008 tahoe rims im ok with tire size for now. Key lift in front stock height out back. Parts im looking for recommendations on are timing chain and oil pump,a good upgrade/rebuild kit for my np246 transfer case (probably got that wrong) im probably going to spend the 400 on a stock style lsd for the front i might weld the rear (might or a mini spool)would love an ox but not this year im also not opposed hitting the junk yard for a stock gm posi and any upgrades over stock isf cv axles not a bigg deal on those i do have a 10 bolt that will find its way under the front but thats next year ill post pics once i take her off the road and start my build

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[Squirrelsmith]

If i had 1k to spend on upgrades i'd be saving it to fix whatever goes wrong next. Unless you have that in addition

 

[Squirrelsmith]

I've put about 3k over 2 years into mine just fixing things to get the truck back to where it needs to be just so I can get to spending on the fun stuff

 

[drakon543]

unless your going to start doing some crazy power upgrades right away the stock timing chain and oil pump are plenty sufficient. speaking about the transfer case if your interested in doing anything with it id swap it to a manual case

 

[joshua52mcclain]

I've put about 3k over 2 years into mine just fixing things to get the truck back to where it needs to be just so I can get to spending on the fun stuff

Yeah I've been fixing small things here and there but thats pretty much all she needs i serviced the trans upgraded to the corvette shift solenoid i swapped over to the mpfi upgraded spider injectors new fuel pump and sending unit i have new head gaskets and arp head studs that'll go on with the timing chain she's pretty sorted beside the timing chain

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[joshua52mcclain]

unless your going to start doing some crazy power upgrades right away the stock timing chain and oil pump are plenty sufficient. speaking about the transfer case if your interested in doing anything with it id swap it to a manual case

Yeah no im not changing tire size 31"s its got more than enough power for those so yeah stock timing chain is what im thinking maybe a double roller at most but I've seen cheap timing chains break before the first oil change. I've been reseaching different transfer cases that fit the 4l60e from what I've been seeing nothing even close to my budget beside a manual case from an older t400 or 700r4 witch finding used is hard. Were i live unless i buy another donor truck like a 80's k1500 4x4 witch i might if i find one. Lol should have kept this monster.

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[joshua52mcclain]

Yeah no im not changing tire size 31"s its got more than enough power for those so yeah stock timing chain is what im thinking maybe a double roller at most but I've seen cheap timing chains break before the first oil change. I've been reseaching different transfer cases that fit the 4l60e from what I've been seeing nothing even close to my budget beside a manual case from an older t400 or 700r4 witch finding used is hard. Were i live unless i buy another donor truck like a 80's k1500 4x4 witch i might if i find one. Lol should have kept this monster.

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Sorry it won't let me post a pic of my old k5

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[joshua52mcclain]

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[joshua52mcclain]

Yeah no im not changing tire size 31"s its got more than enough power for those so yeah stock timing chain is what im thinking maybe a double roller at most but I've seen cheap timing chains break before the first oil change. I've been reseaching different transfer cases that fit the 4l60e from what I've been seeing nothing even close to my budget beside a manual case from an older t400 or 700r4 witch finding used is hard. Were i live unless i buy another donor truck like a 80's k1500 4x4 witch i might if i find one. Lol should have kept this monster.

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I've been looking at a np261 to np241 (probably got that wrong) lol wish i could do an atlas twin stick.

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[Squirrelsmith]

Yeah I've been fixing small things here and there but thats pretty much all she needs i serviced the trans upgraded to the corvette shift solenoid i swapped over to the mpfi upgraded spider injectors new fuel pump and sending unit i have new head gaskets and arp head studs that'll go on with the timing chain she's pretty sorted beside the timing chain

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Whats the corvette shift solenoid do?

 

[joshua52mcclain]

Whats the corvette shift solenoid do?

Firms up the clutch engagement for 2nd and 3rd gear mainly and in general.the 4l60e in trucks had a different shift solenoid than the corvette 4l60e that allows a small amount of slippage in the in the clutch packs i believe it was a shift smoothness think but idk it adds Alittle kick and its supposed to help prolong the lift of the clutchs. best with a shift kit i have transgo corrective shift kit also its always done me good on afew of 2wd silverados i had. not a transmission guy i just listen to my transmission guy lol.

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[drakon543]

shift kit with those servos would do wonders. toss on a blackbear tune ontop. my 97 is at 172k k&n intake shortie headers and an exhaust. never got around to getting a tune done but im runnkng 265 70 17s which if i recall is like a 31-32 or something roughly. no problems pulling regular stuff up to a 2004 f150 super cab (almost 6k) i think. cruising on the highway it handles perfectly.

 

[Squirrelsmith]

I was told my transmission had been rebuilt when i bought it. I thought there was something wrong with it because it was such a powerful shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to third but after having some people that know about cars drive it i believe i have some sort of shift kit as well

 

[drakon543]

that could also be a faulty tps @Squirrelsmith
my 97 did the same thing occasionally sometimes with or without a code. hasnt done it since i replaced the tps and the harness plug.

 

[Squirrelsmith]

that could also be a faulty tps @Squirrelsmith
my 97 did the same thing occasionally sometimes with or without a code. hasnt done it since i replaced the tps and the harness plug.

Well i figure i'll drive til it breaks, got that AAA

 

[drakon543]

@Squirrelsmith that could eventually make it almost undrivable and take out the transmission at the same time. if the tps is actually going bad that is. feels like harder more aggressive shifts but its not doing the same thing as a proper shift kit and servos. simple live data scan as your driving could tell you if you have a 40 dollar problem. or just keep driving until you have a 1500 dollar problem.

 

[Squirrelsmith]

@Squirrelsmith that could eventually make it almost undrivable and take out the transmission at the same time. if the tps is actually going bad that is. feels like harder more aggressive shifts but its not doing the same thing as a proper shift kit and servos. simple live data scan as your driving could tell you if you have a 40 dollar problem. or just keep driving until you have a 1500 dollar problem.

I think i have a $0 problem

 

[joshua52mcclain]

I think i have a $0 problem

It could be either tbh its a different kind of shift between the 2 an aggressive shift kit will feel like you have more power when it shifts and a bad tbs feels like a kick when it first shifts then it kinda feels like you lost power right after that hard kick into gear its a weird feeling difference to describe. Tbs is one of the many problems that cause the 4l60e to take a dump idk penny for thought with knowing for sure its got a shift kit. im working on my power steering rn but when im done ill post some pulls and how mine shifts although mine is a corrective kit not a performance shift kit it doesn't kick hard it just shifts very very crisp.

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