My apologies if this is not in the right section. I recently purchased a 98 1500 4x4 sport with a 5.9 with about 250k miles. The body is alright, inside is crap, and engine seems to be decent along with tranny. 1st question, I have never had a 4x4 nor engaged the transfer case, and you have the 4 options on this truck; is it supposed to stay in the option you select? Or do you select it then the lever returns to a stock position,or should it stick? Because mine does not stick, and am not sure if the 4wd is actually engaging (it says so on the dash).

Next, I am going to strip off the cab bed and fenders on my 01 2wd, and all of the electrical hookups, and attach them to the 4wd. In my 01 i have a 5.2 with only about 150k miles and a good tranny. What should I do about engines and tranny? Should I mix match parts on the 5.2 to the 5.9 because i have heard the 5.9 has better hp and torque, but the 5.2 breathes better and has a better cam that will fit the 5.9. What about swaping cams and possibly valves?? And also, will it be the same tranny as long as everything is in stock? And if so, then shouldnt the 4wd tranny be same as 2wd with the transfercase being able to be bolted to my 2wd tranny? Thanks guys, its appreciated

 

Expensive stick (4x4 shifter) should stay in the position you put it in. It's a mechanical linkage, if it moves, you won't be getting the drive option you selected, would tend to indicate internal problems with the t-case. Might be a good idea to drop the rear driveshaft, pull the tailhousing off the t-case, and check and see if the snap ring is still on the output shaft. (should be right up against the rear output bearing, if it ain't there, parts can walk around, and destruction ensues.)

You will have to cut a hole for the expensive stick in the floor of the 2by cab. Aside from that, everything *should* bolt right up. Use the engine that runs the best, and the PCM for that engine. I do believe they are interchangeable from 98 to 01. I think.

2wd trans won't bolt to t-case. Use the 4wd trans. Pinout on the 8 pin connector changed in 99 or 2000 though, so, you might have to swap/replace the electronics to use the 98 trans with the 01 PCM/Harness.

And that brings up the possibility that the PCM's WON'T interchange..... due to the differences in the trans wiring...... might be able to just shuffle wires to make things work the way they are supposed to.

 

Sounds about right of the transfer case, and its spraying fluid too out of the back seal, so ill definitely pull that off and check it out. Thanks