Noob with 98 5.0 trans q's

[iraceitall]

Howdy, noob from Montana, looking at a clean 98 EB with a 5.0, trans slips bad when warm, will move when cold, fluid is clean and full. Is this just a VB problem or full rebuild territory? It has 170k on it, all highway. I can buy it for $500, owner doesn't want to replace trans, went and bought an 04 instead. Also, I understand 97 and 98 are different on the 4r70w, but can they be swapped with the aid of other parts? I have access to a rolled 97 5.0 (bought for the motor for $200) so this rig could be on the road super cheap. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[91EX4x4]

If you get the pin-out diagrams for the bulkhead connector on the passenger side of the tranny for both 97 and 98, you should be able to re-pin the wiring harness connector to work with the older tranny. My mom's 97 actually has a 98+ tranny in it. I just had to move a few wires around in the connector and it was good to go! The newer transmissions are more durable than then older ones. I know they switched to the mechanical diode instead of the roller clutch for one. You may have to add a power wire or two to make the harness work for the older tranny (It had 2 or 3 hot wires). In the newer tranny, I believe the only used one hot wire into the tranny and split the power internally.

**This post applies to the 4R70W, I don't know about any other transmissions.

-Rob

EDIT: I overlooked the obvious possibility of switching out the internal wiring harness inside the transmission for the one compatible with the vehicle harness.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

There is a member here, Section525, who used a 99 transmission (same as 98) with a 96 wiring harness (same as 97). There are diagrams about what wires to swap on the site, or you could PM him.

 

[iraceitall]

Turns out this transmission was rebuilt about 30k ago, and I drove it today. Reverse works fine, in 1 and 2 is goes fine too, only when you put it in drive does it not go, cold or warm. Valvebody issue? Did something get messed up in the rebuild?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Turns out this transmission was rebuilt about 30k ago, and I drove it today. Reverse works fine, in 1 and 2 is goes fine too, only when you put it in drive does it not go, cold or warm. Valvebody issue? Did something get messed up in the rebuild?

Could it be a cable adjustment issue, not going fully into D, staying in Neutral?

 

[iraceitall]

Hmm, I'll try that. I figure it has to be something silly considering a recent rebuild and clean full fluid. Hope it's an easy fix anyways...

 

[91EX4x4]

Check the MLPS and it's positioning.

-Rob