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'86 Jimmy 4in Lift, 40’s, tons, 8.1 Swap- 700r4 said PNNNNN

This is not a dedicated trail rig, but does trailer to the destination usually. I am currently in the planning phase of doing a 52/56" spring swap, and getting back to being more road worthy.
Vans are a wealth of random stuff. My original combo came out of a short bus. Its like whatever you can dream of its probably been put into a van of some sort. This has not been lost on the aftermarket as well, where else can you find an eagle riding a wolf paint job on a vehicle that started out as a nursing home patient mover. Shit probably runs 10's too. That's van life.
 
I second the 4l80e, the overdrive is really nice. I should've done that in stead of the Allison for cost reasons plus if I want to add power I have to beef up the Ally (they only handle 50+hp over stock. Howell efi was also good to deal with for the swap.
 
Also, I found this on Hotrod Mag's website.

– If you want a cable-actuated throttle, a spacer can allow the use of a Vortec 454 throttle-body.

What's the thoughts on this?
 
Also, I found this on Hotrod Mag's website.

– If you want a cable-actuated throttle, a spacer can allow the use of a Vortec 454 throttle-body.

What's the thoughts on this?
I think that is what most guys are doing. I remember something about that in Steve's thread or one of the other 8.1L swaps. I'm not sure the pros and cons though of drive by wire vs drive by cable other than mayber using an existing cruise control setup or something that needs a mechanical linkage.
 
I think that is what most guys are doing. I remember something about that in Steve's thread or one of the other 8.1L swaps. I'm not sure the pros and cons though of drive by wire vs drive by cable other than mayber using an existing cruise control setup or something that needs a mechanical linkage.
Yeah Steve was saying that I'd have to get creative with the TV cable/braket. But if I run a cable TB and the 4L80, I shouldn't have to worry about a TV cable right?
 
Yeah Steve was saying that I'd have to get creative with the TV cable/braket. But if I run a cable TB and the 4L80, I shouldn't have to worry about a TV cable right?

As long as your TB has a Throttle Position Sensor you're fine, which the motor should need as well. That's one of the data inputs for the 4l80e tcm programming.
 
As long as your TB has a Throttle Position Sensor you're fine, which the motor should need as well. That's one of the data inputs for the 4l80e tcm programming.
Sweet. Sounds like that's going to be the best route for me.
 
@Kay86K5 are you running Ac on your crew cab yet?

No, still no A/C. To be honest, I hate A/C (meaning I hate working on A/C, setting up A/C, repairing A/C...it's just irritating to me for some reason). I very well may not even add it since my truck isn't a daily driver. I may just get some dark tint and call it good. I do have most everything I need to set it up, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do it yet. I go back and forth

Also, I found this on Hotrod Mag's website.

– If you want a cable-actuated throttle, a spacer can allow the use of a Vortec 454 throttle-body.

What's the thoughts on this?

With the first 8.1 that I didn't get running, I originally set that one up with a Vortec 454 throttle body so I could run a normal cable and keep my factory gas pedal. The main reason I did that was because the dude I bought the motor from gave me a vortec 454 throttle body with the motor, so I figured it was easier just to do that. And yes, you need a throttle body spacer to allow you to have a good angle for the throttle cable itself and also allow the arm to go to wide open throttle. Well that motor got donated to the buggy build (brother did a full teardown and rebuild with raylar cam and such) but we are keeping the drive by cable on that because...well...it's already on there. And I didn't need it because when I bought the Tilden motor, it came with the full DBW setup, including a pedal. So for me its was an easy choice on the new motor to just run DBW.

Now, I will say, I could see why someone would want to convert to a drive by cable on something they wheel WHEN they have a manual trans behind it. When you read through Larry's threads, he's a big proponent of converting all of them to drive by cable because all of his trucks have manuals behind them. With DBW and a manual and trying to creep along, it does have a tendency to get a little "jerky" with the throttle. Now, with my application of a tow rig, it doesn't bother me at all because I rarely creep around anywhere. But on something that you're wheeling, you obviously are creeping around everywhere. HOWEVER, this is usually only a symptom that occurs, again, with trucks that have a manual behind them. DBW with an auto trans behind them doesn't do this. So yo have to take Larry's opinions on that matter with a grain of salt and understand why he prefers it, and then determine if it makes sense for you.

In your case, having an auto behind it, either a DBW or drive by cable would be just fine. It sounds like in your case you don't have any throttle body yet correct (cause it was a bare block you had that you're starting to gather all the other parts for)? In that case I think it depends on what tranny you decide to go with. If you stick with 700r4, you will have to do drive by cable to get your TV working. If you go TH400 or 4l80e, then it doesn't matter if you go DBW or DBC...in that case, just find whichever setup you want for the cheapest.

Sorry for the long post...but couldn't figure out a better way to describe all this to you
 
No, still no A/C. To be honest, I hate A/C (meaning I hate working on A/C, setting up A/C, repairing A/C...it's just irritating to me for some reason). I very well may not even add it since my truck isn't a daily driver. I may just get some dark tint and call it good. I do have most everything I need to set it up, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do it yet. I go back and forth

I will be getting the ac working on this. One of the things is to improve comfort for my family, and with these temps in Kansas ac is a must. We usually don't plan any trips this time of year when it's 100*+ and 120* heat index, but it would still be nice even on an 80* day.

With the first 8.1 that I didn't get running, I originally set that one up with a Vortec 454 throttle body so I could run a normal cable and keep my factory gas pedal. The main reason I did that was because the dude I bought the motor from gave me a vortec 454 throttle body with the motor, so I figured it was easier just to do that. And yes, you need a throttle body spacer to allow you to have a good angle for the throttle cable itself and also allow the arm to go to wide open throttle. Well that motor got donated to the buggy build (brother did a full teardown and rebuild with raylar cam and such) but we are keeping the drive by cable on that because...well...it's already on there. And I didn't need it because when I bought the Tilden motor, it came with the full DBW setup, including a pedal. So for me its was an easy choice on the new motor to just run DBW.

Now, I will say, I could see why someone would want to convert to a drive by cable on something they wheel WHEN they have a manual trans behind it. When you read through Larry's threads, he's a big proponent of converting all of them to drive by cable because all of his trucks have manuals behind them. With DBW and a manual and trying to creep along, it does have a tendency to get a little "jerky" with the throttle. Now, with my application of a tow rig, it doesn't bother me at all because I rarely creep around anywhere. But on something that you're wheeling, you obviously are creeping around everywhere. HOWEVER, this is usually only a symptom that occurs, again, with trucks that have a manual behind them. DBW with an auto trans behind them doesn't do this. So yo have to take Larry's opinions on that matter with a grain of salt and understand why he prefers it, and then determine if it makes sense for you.

In your case, having an auto behind it, either a DBW or drive by cable would be just fine. It sounds like in your case you don't have any throttle body yet correct (cause it was a bare block you had that you're starting to gather all the other parts for)? In that case I think it depends on what tranny you decide to go with. If you stick with 700r4, you will have to do drive by cable to get your TV working. If you go TH400 or 4l80e, then it doesn't matter if you go DBW or DBC...in that case, just find whichever setup you want for the cheapest.

Sorry for the long post...but couldn't figure out a better way to describe all this to you
No that's understandable. I can get a 454 TB for dirt cheap, so I am going to go that route. Then I don't have to mess with all the electronic throttle stuff saving me time and money. I have made up my mind that I am not using the 700r4. So I will be selling the engine, efi, and trans to recoup money. Already having the engine and trans should really help this move along pretty quick.
 
No that's understandable. I can get a 454 TB for dirt cheap, so I am going to go that route. Then I don't have to mess with all the electronic throttle stuff saving me time and money. I have made up my mind that I am not using the 700r4. So I will be selling the engine, efi, and trans to recoup money. Already having the engine and trans should really help this move along pretty quick.

Sounds like a good plan. The one thing to keep in mind now that you want to go with a vortec 454 mechanical throttle body is obviously no 8.1 ever came with drive by cable (every single one of them were DBW). So now you have to think about your wiring harness. If you have a factory harness already (or plan to get one), you're going to have to get it cut down for the swap, but you also will need to have them redo the plugs for the sensors on the 454 throttle body (TPS, etc.) as they're different than the plugs that were on the DBW throttle body that originally came on that motor. Or, if you're planning on getting a brand new harness from a company like Howell, you need to make sure to tell them you have a mechanical vortec 454 throttle body so they get the plugs for the throttle body correct.

Just something additional you have to think about when converting to drive by cable
 
On your 4L80E you can use a 2wd trans and have a 4wd output shaft installed then your transfer case will bolt up and still have input and output sensors.
 
Oh, another thing I just noticed in your picture above is you have an earlier intake manifold (01-03) that has the oil filler neck that is straight up and down. Since you want to now go mechanical 454 throttle body, you will want to get a later (04-up) oil filler tube because those have a "curve" in the tube which gives you way better clearance for your throttle cable you will need to install going 454 throttle body. It's not to say that people haven't made those straight filler tubes work with mechanical throttle body, but usually the cable rubs on that tube and causes a "stiff" pedal feel.

Also something additional to think about ;)
 
Sounds like a good plan. The one thing to keep in mind now that you want to go with a vortec 454 mechanical throttle body is obviously no 8.1 ever came with drive by cable (every single one of them were DBW). So now you have to think about your wiring harness. If you have a factory harness already (or plan to get one), you're going to have to get it cut down for the swap, but you also will need to have them redo the plugs for the sensors on the 454 throttle body (TPS, etc.) as they're different than the plugs that were on the DBW throttle body that originally came on that motor. Or, if you're planning on getting a brand new harness from a company like Howell, you need to make sure to tell them you have a mechanical vortec 454 throttle body so they get the plugs for the throttle body correct.

Just something additional you have to think about when converting to drive by cable
Do these DWB setups use the throttle control module like most LS's?
 

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