Just a quick question for you guys. I just found a totalled 1994 chevy 1500 that still runs and all running gear appears to be solid. The only problem I have is that when the previous owner wrecked it they ran over a fire hydrant and cracked the bellhousing on the automatic transmission. I also have an '88 1500 sitting in the back yard with a bad motor and automatic tranny and am considering doing a swap. My only question is if the bell housing off my old tranny is the same as on the '94. I'm out of town and can't crawl under to compare the two and was just wondering if any of you knew off the top of your head before I bought the totalled truck. Thanks.

4L60E in the '94
700R4 in the '88

These transmissions are very similar, the '88 tranny will bolt up to the 94' motor and vise versa

The trans from the 88 will bolt up to the 94, but the 94 is a computer controlled transmission and the 88 isn't. I don't know if you can make it work, but thought I would throw this out there so you knew. If just the bellhousing is cracked, could it possibly tig welded?

The trans from the 88 will bolt up to the 94, but the 94 is a computer controlled transmission and the 88 isn't. I don't know if you can make it work, but thought I would throw this out there so you knew. If just the bellhousing is cracked, could it possibly tig welded?

I think Jeff-MN is correct, however, you can have the PCM in the 94 reprogramed (about $250) to ignore the trans, i.e. as if it were a manual (guys do this all the time when changing ImpalaSS/Caprice cars over to 6 speeds) and I think you will be OK. But, there are some considerations for the 700R4 also I'm not real familiar with these trannys but you may need a throttle position sensor....I just don't know. Also, you might wanna check gear ratios in each tranny...I know the 4L60E has 3.06 first gear not sure what the 700R4 has if it's higher (lower numerically), i.e. 2.88 you may be dissatisfied with performance especially when hauling or towing. I'm thinkin' either go find somebody to weld up your current trans or find another 4L60E....$.02 worth. Oh, and I think the 4L60E from a truck is valved differently than the car 4L60E. Either way a good shift kit would be in order, i.e. TransGo, B&M, etc.
JP

Thanks for all the info guys. I ended up not buying the wrecked '94. I'll probably just end up buying a crate motor for the '88. Thanks again.