Hey all, I have been looking around and have always seen different responses to if you can swap a lightning engine into the 4.2 trucks. I have heard that the motor mounts are located in different places, anybody know if this is true or not? Also since it will be going from the 4r70w transmission to the r100w the driveshaft is shorter if i am right any way to deal with this or do i need to custom fabricate it? Anything else I need to know about?

I would have a complete lightning truck that was in an accident that i will be using parts off of to do the swap just would like to know what i am getting myself into or if I should even attempt it? Thank you all for your feed back!

 

I'd say if you have a donor truck then do it! swap everything from the harness to the rear end if possible. If worse came to worse and you needed to change motor mounts(which i do not think you do) then i'd say go for it! You should have every part you need then for an easy install!

 

That's what i am thinking too but I have a ext cab while the lightning is a regular cab so the different wheel base would be a problem for me or am i wrong?

 

As far as i know only in the drive shaft but Im sure u could find one via salvage yard or have one made for a few hundred bucks.

 

all the more reason to get a custom driveshaft.

 

why not just fix the lightning with your current truck.....

 

That may be a bit rough depending on the damage - the L is a reg cab Flareside and he has a Scab.

 

just throwing out a suggestion....doors will fit if they are damaged, along with the front end

 

The lightning had a Salvageable title and the truck i have now is a clean title, the interior on my truck is in perfect condition while lightnings beat up pretty bad. Also i prefer having the extra space in my truck since i do use it all. I figured that it would just be a lot easier to do the swap.

 

swap everything down to the PCM. make sure you have all the wiring components hooked up to the motor, and add anything you need to.

 

should i use the same wire harness or the one that is on the lightning? I am planning on switching it out since mine is bad but would like to be sure.

 

swap.

 

you have to swap the wiring harness to run the 4r100

good luck on the swap, it's going to be pretty labor intensive!

 

thats what i was thinking about the harness aswell. Labor intensive is what i like actually, it helps learn plus a real man/women know exactly what is underneath the hood and knows exactly how it works.

 

yup, well you're going to have your hands full
new motor mounts, trans crossmember, fuel pumps......and a lot more odds and ends