My Z71 LIVES in Project Tahoe Transplant

[1badc4]

With help of others I am going to post my project in this section as suggested. here is my work in progress, I was previously daily driving my 2001 Z71 Suburban until It has succumb to a bit more rust than I could repair, I am in Southern NJ. not the best place when it comes to rust. I bought the Z71 with 144k and drove for 4 years and now had 184K, I found this 2001 Tahoe LS with no rust but a bad motor to replace the Suburban, I have pulled the 2 motors and replaced the gaskets, timing chain and oil pump in the Suburban motor and dropped into the Tahoe. the swap turned out great. I am very happy with the Tahoe. will miss the Z71 leather but will deal with it. my plans are the same as the Suburban to just daily to work, will be upgrading the stereo and wheels after I recoup some Money parting out the Suburban which still has many great parts, it has the G80 diff with 3.73 gears, soon as I can get in my 85 post I can post some classified ads. hoping with the help of some Moderators we can pool all my progress threads into this one thread and any future post I will continue to add to this one thread. thanks for suggestions.

For history up to this point please visit the links below:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/big-day-tomorrow.112834/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/1-out-1-to-go.112900/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/almost-there.113029/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/last-piy-of-the-puzzle.113045/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/should-clean-up-well.113057/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/its-alive.113098/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/motor-swap-done-now-interior.113111/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/test-drive-today.113127/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/a-little-clean-up.113128/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/shakedown-run-a-success.113271/

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm in

 

[1badc4]

First complication, apparently the radiator in the Tahoe was bad, have a coolant leak appears to be coming from there. Tomorrow swapping in one from Burb

 

[Tonyrodz]

First complication, apparently the radiator in the Tahoe was bad, have a coolant leak appears to be coming from there. Tomorrow swapping in one from Burb View attachment 227351

Mine cracked in the same area, right under the neck. Was so small it was hard to notice right away.

 

[1badc4]

Mine cracked in the same area, right under the neck. Was so small it was hard to notice right away.

Always nice when you can identify the problem

 

[Tonyrodz]

Always nice when you can identify the problemView attachment 227393

Yup! Mine EXACTLY! It was hard to see right away.

 

[1badc4]

Yup! Mine EXACTLY! It was hard to see right away.

Well that's done. If that's my only gremlin, I'll be happy.

 

[1badc4]

Well I guess I did one thing right

 

[1badc4]

Well now that that mess of swapping the motors out, looks like I am gonna have to swap out the transfer case due to what I am finding out to be the notorious pin hole in case issue. no big deal, I can just swap the one from the suburban, doesn't seem to be that big of a job. most importantly I was able to get my fun car back in the garage where it belongs. the first time it has sat outside other when driving.

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice to see a build thread, too bad it took so long for us to let you know how to do it. Your project will live on forever all over the forum though. I didn’t realize how many threads you started on one truck!

 

[1badc4]

Well getting ready to swap out transfer cases, appears they are both the same. In the pictures I noticed one case is slightly different. The bottom right on one appears to have a small round reinforcement gusset of some sort, maybe not. Someone suggested doing the upgrade modifications to good case but unfortunately this is my daily and I don't have time. Ill repair the one I take out and hold as a backup.

 

[1badc4]

Well got transmission and T-Case pulled from Suburban, pulled a few front end parts while I was at it. Goid to know the Burb trans is a reman GM as well as converter which will give me a nice spare if needed. I believe t case was also done as case is slightly different and oil looked great coming out. Blue translucent. Tahoe t case not so much. No oil lol. Well hopefully have t case in Tahoe tomorrow. Need to drive it to work at 5:30 pm. Pulling case was actually pretty simple job.

 

[1badc4]

 

[Rocket Man]

View attachment 227664 View attachment 227665 View attachment 227666 View attachment 227667 View attachment 227668

The transfer cases aren’t hard to pull, just a bit awkward. I don’t care for it myself lol. It’s not like you can put a tranny jack under it and jack it up into position. Not on my Denali anyway, the crossmember is in the way.

 

[1badc4]

The transfer cases aren’t hard to pull, just a bit awkward. I don’t care for it myself lol. It’s not like you can put a tranny jack under it and jack it up into position. Not on my Denali anyway, the crossmember is in the way.

Yeah definitely awkward. Last time I did one they were steel cases. Late 70's. Definitely no where's near as hard as many videos ive saw. Tomorrow it's going in. We will see. I have a buddy that will come over if needed but im trying the bench press method. Not as easy at 55 lol.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Well got transmission and T-Case pulled from Suburban, pulled a few front end parts while I was at it. Goid to know the Burb trans is a reman GM as well as converter which will give me a nice spare if needed. I believe t case was also done as case is slightly different and oil looked great coming out. Blue translucent. Tahoe t case not so much. No oil lol. Well hopefully have t case in Tahoe tomorrow. Need to drive it to work at 5:30 pm. Pulling case was actually pretty simple job. View attachment 227659 View attachment 227660 View attachment 227661 View attachment 227662 View attachment 227663

Awesome progress. The burb is looking a bit emptier!

 

[1badc4]

Awesome progress. The burb is looking a bit emptier!

I work shift work so I get a 6 day break per month. Actually only work 14 days a month. But my next break I need to get my Corvette back together but the following break I'll hit it hard. Get them door handles swapped. Happy I also found A/C leak today, rear A/C hose as expected. I'll just rob rob block off plates from the burb and recharge.

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah definitely awkward. Last time I did one they were steel cases. Late 70's. Definitely no where's near as hard as many videos ive saw. Tomorrow it's going in. We will see. I have a buddy that will come over if needed but im trying the bench press method. Not as easy at 55 lol.

Nope. I did mine last April, and Im 59. About killed me lol.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Nope. I did mine last April, and Im 59. About killed me lol.

Old fart

 

[Rocket Man]

Old fart

You just wait fella...