1988 K5 transmission (6.2 diesel 700R4) SWAP INTO 1990 K5 (350TBI 700R4)

[DK5]

Okay fellas, what do I need to know about this project. In my reading I'm understanding that maybe the tv cable and torque converter are different... Can I swap them out? The gasser blazer has no reverse and the trans is occasionally slipping going forward so I figure a free transmission is better than a $$ transmission.

Any tips would be appreciated as I'm tackling this this week!

 

[campfire]

Okay fellas, what do I need to know about this project. In my reading I'm understanding that maybe the tv cable and torque converter are different... Can I swap them out? The gasser blazer has no reverse and the trans is occasionally slipping going forward so I figure a free transmission is better than a $$ transmission.

Any tips would be appreciated as I'm tackling this this week!

Just to clarify, you're removing a stock 1990 700R4 and installing an equivalent diesel 700R4?

The internal differences are the governor and the torque converter. Both are easily swapped on the bench, assuming your old ones are good. Any time you replace a failing transmission it is a very, very good idea to flush out the trans cooler and all trans lines (and the torque converter, since you're reusing it). It's likely that your old, slipping transmission has put clutch lining material into its fluid, and you don't want that stuff circulating through your 'new' transmission. TV cable may have a different end on the engine side (I'm not sure off hand), but your old one should work fine if it is in good shape. Be sure to properly set it before you start driving the truck.

If the diesel transmission is older than 1985, it will have a tall adapter on the tail end. But, again, your old one will work. The stock diesel torque converter uses 6 bolts rather than three, so it's easy to spot the difference.

Basically, all the stuff that's different is external to the case. The guts are the same. Pretty basic swap, since you have both of them handy to switch parts around.