1995 Chevy K1500 4L60E Swap

1995 CHEVROLET TRUCK

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I have a 1995 chevy k1500 with a 4.3L v-6. I have the 4L60E transmission in it now and for the second time,the tranny has gone out. I am considering swapping to a 5 speed manual. I've done the swap on older model cars and trucks so I know what I'm getting into for the most part. Are there any other problems with this swap other than changing out the transmission and mounting the clutch hardware?

Feb 19, 2007 at 4:02 AM

CHEVY22

✓Experienced Mechanic
1,375 POSTS

you will need pedals, clutch mater cyl , and alot of other small items , oh and a driveshaft ,the 4l60 e is a very reliable unit when the updates are put in, i have a 96 s10 when i did mine i used alot of 4l65e parts , 5 pinion planet newer reverse sun gear shell and went through the valve body, weigh the two out before you put the hammer down, it could be more expensive for the six speed

Feb 19, 2007 at 4:35 AM

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thanks. I meant to say I was going to put a 5 speed manual in my post. Yeah I figured on all the small stuff already. I can get a manual tranny,bell housing,flywheel,pedal set and clutch and pressure plate ( which I plan to use as a core since I'll want those parts new) for $650.00. that will leave me with master and slave cylinders to buy on top of that.If the drive shafts aren't the same length I guess I'll be needing front and rear drive shafts as well then huh? I'm still kicking around the idea of having the automatic rebuilt if I can find someone to do it for a reasonable price. I about have the tranny out of it so I do need to figure out which way to go pretty quick.
Doug

Feb 19, 2007 at 9:38 AM

CHEVY22

✓Experienced Mechanic
1,375 POSTS

in my opinion i would stick with the auto , i think the cost and headache would be less ,but thats me , they are easy to beef up if you get the right guy , well good luck, if you do go the other route i would be interested to know what you spent if you wanted to .

Feb 19, 2007 at 9:48 AM

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

well I got the old tranny out the other day and called around for some prices. Best I could find was $ 700 and of course that was just a phone estimate and I know nothing about that shop. Another shop with a good rep said $ 750 + parts. I decided to go for the 5 speed. be next week before I get started on the job but I'll keep you posted on progress and cost Jim.

Doug

Feb 22, 2007 at 1:32 PM

CHEVY22

✓Experienced Mechanic
1,375 POSTS

well good luck and yes let me knwo

thanks
jim

Feb 22, 2007 at 1:38 PM

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

well things are at a stand still right now until I figure out which flywheel I need. Fenco lists 2 for my model year ..... one for engine code "AA" and 1 for code "AL". I can't find any id #'s on the block and nobody seems to be able to tell me the difference between the two. The flywheel for the AA is the most common one and it looks like it will work ... same bolt pattern etc. They will have one of the AL flywheels in in the morning so we can try to compare them and see what the difference is. If you go up or down a model year from 1995 they only list one part # for the flywheel ....... the one for the "AA".

Mar 2, 2007 at 3:35 AM

CHEVY22

✓Experienced Mechanic
1,375 POSTS

let me knwo

jim

Mar 2, 2007 at 4:52 AM

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

ok here it is ....... a transmission expert checked this out for me with his supplier... there is only one flywheel for the 95 4.3 so it must be an error in fenco's catalog where they list 2 different ones. The one they list for the "AA" engine code is the correct one. I picked it up yesterday and fired the motor after putting it on to make sure there were'nt any funky vibrations going on and it was fine so I put the transmission on in. Now if I can get the transfer case to go in, I'll be all set. I'ts being a bit stubborn.

Mar 3, 2007 at 9:09 AM

CUJOBR4

MEMBER
6 POSTS

The swap's finally complete and I'm not sure I'd do it again lol. I'm really satisfied with it though,pretty much looks like it came from the factory with the 5 speed.The drive shafts did not have to be changed but the transfer case did.The output shaft is larger on the 5 speed so the 4L60E case wouldn't work.I managed to do some trading at the junk yard but he wouldn't trade even so that was an extra $100 I hadn't planned on spending but was too far along to change my mind by that point.
My conclusions :
Fairly easy swap with a few unforseen complications.
cost: about $1300 ..... probably what I would have spent on rebuilding the automatic and I'm much happier with the standard

Mar 7, 2007 at 1:13 PM

DYLAN 666

MEMBER
1 POST

can u help me im having this same tcase problem do you recall what tcase is? the model or what it came in thanks

Dec 16, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Suggested Repair

The expert recommended keeping and rebuilding the 4L60E rather than converting to a manual, using updated parts such as 4L65E components, a five-pinion planetary, a newer reverse sun-gear shell, and valve-body work. If converting to a five-speed, plan for the transmission, bellhousing, flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, pedal assembly, master and slave cylinders, and a compatible transfer case; the correct 1995 4.3 flywheel is the AA listing.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1995 Chevrolet K1500 with a 4.3L and a repeatedly failed 4L60E asked about swapping to a five-speed manual. The expert advised that the automatic could be more reliable and less costly if properly updated, while noting that a manual conversion requires pedals, clutch hydraulics, and other parts. The owner chose the manual swap, confirmed the AA flywheel was correct, and completed it for about $1300. The driveshafts did not need replacement, but the transfer case did because the five-speed output shaft was larger.

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1995 Chevy K1500 4L60E Swap

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