Thread: 2006 Silverado

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I need some advice on my daily driver. I have a low mileage 2006 Silverado with a 4.3 Vortec and a 5 speed manual trans. It's been a great truck and I don't want to get rid of it but I'm having arthritis problems in my left knee and driving it in rush hour traffic everyday is really aggregating it. I'd rather just swap out the manual to a 4l60e and keep the truck. Swapping the trans and steering column is no big deal but does anyone know what wiring changes I might have and if the PCM will have to be changed for the auto trans? Any help would be most appreciated.

HMmmmm.. looks like you got everyone stumped! I know I am.. LOL..

Yeah, I put this on a few forums hoping someone might have an idea. Anther thing I thought was to maybe just use a 700r4 and not have the computer do anything with the trans. I'm pretty sure the later 4.3 and the pre LS small block trans are the same bell housing/flywheel and it would be a bolt in.

Yeah but with OBD 2, won't the computer "miss" the trans? And toss up codes.. and create other problems?

I don't know.. just guessing!

I don't know Silverados but I've seen the wiring harness question go both ways; some have manual trans and auto trans with different PCM's but same harness and they just pick up different pins to do the job, others use a different harness plus the PCM change. If I was in your predicament I would call a high level service tech at the dealer and ask; I've had some luck with those guys explaining stuff.

Sorry about your arthritis in the knee, but have you had it "officially" diagnosed, or tried any therapy? Although it could be temporary a cortisone shot can help. For my "minor" problems even Motrin helps. Many years ago I also recall thinking I was having arthritic pain in my knee and when I finally had it MRI'd it was a torn meniscus which I had cut out, in/out same day, cured it for about 15 years before arthritis started slowly setting in.

How much rush hour traffic can there be in a place called Festus???? Just kidding....

Originally Posted by randyr

How much rush hour traffic can there be in a place called Festus???? Just kidding....

Ha! Not much in Festus, but I work 45 min away in St Louis. It can be a real pain on hiway 270; not unusual to sit for extended periods of time on the way home.

Unfortunately, I have had it diagnosed. My brother is 58 and he's pretty crippled from it. He's had two knee replacements and has a lot of problems with his elbows and hands from it. I hope mine doesnt get as bad as his; he's been on disability for a few years and has a lot of constant pain.

Originally Posted by falconvan

Ha! Not much in Festus, but I work 45 min away in St Louis. It can be a real pain on hiway 270; not unusual to sit for extended periods of time on the way home.

Unfortunately, I have had it diagnosed. My brother is 58 and he's pretty crippled from it. He's had two knee replacements and has a lot of problems with his elbows and hands from it. I hope mine doesnt get as bad as his; he's been on disability for a few years and has a lot of constant pain.

Several family members on my dad's side had arthritis really bad so I suppose it's possible for me, too. However, I've learned that sugar really makes it worse. I cut out sugar for 2 years and was virtually pain free. Now, I have some dark chocolate now & then but still highly curb sugar intake. Very little if any arthritis issues. I know it's not that easy for many other people.

I used to have a Mazda B2500 5sp as my daily driver in LA. When sitting in traffic I just slipped it into neutral and gave my foot a rest. Today's clutches are way easier than the old ones which helps a lot in traffic.

Hope you figure out a good solution.

The PCM software is different between a stick and an auto. Would have to research a bit regarding going from a stick to auto. Usually it is the opposite direction. Why not find another truck of the same vintage? They are priced right and there are a zillion automatics around with the 4.3 In fact, it might be cheaper to make the trade than it would to do the 4L swap.

Originally Posted by robot

Why not find another truck of the same vintage?

That was my first thought as well.
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I thought about it but it's paid for, only has 75k miles, and i have no complaints about the truck other than the stick. I looked at several other trucks and anything in this mileage range and condition was more than I want to spend. If I can spend a weekend or two worth of labor and $1000-$1200 bux changing it over to an auto its a better deal for me than buying another truck, selling this one, paying sales tax, re-license, etc. Plus my son owes me for countless hours working on his junk so he can do the gruntwork.

It looks like it's going to be easier than I thought; I can get a rebuilt trans for about $700, column for $150, the PCM has the "AUTO" functions programmed in; I'll just have to take it to someone to turn them on, and a small addition to the wiring harness and I should be good to go.

Good deal! I'd say you're on the right path. Finding a decent used truck for a reasonable price is not an easy task, and you'll end up with the history you know and a new tranny to boot! Plus you can cash in some of those chips with your son! Win-Win!

Pat I hove looked for a few days trying to find any info on what you doing I haven't found anything so far, other then doing an Auto to Manual swap. Good luck & I hope it works out for you. I stopped buying vehicles w/manual trans decades ago after all my my knee surgeries. But then I am lazy & prefer just to put the truck in drive & go, screw that shifting crap for this crippled up old bastard... joe

[QUOTE=TooMany2count;503064]Pat I hove looked for a few days trying to find any info on what you doing I haven't found anything so far, other then doing an Auto to Manual swap. Good luck & I hope it works out for you. I stopped buying vehicles w/manual trans decades ago after all my my knee surgeries. But then I am lazy & prefer just to put the truck in drive & go, screw that shifting crap for this crippled up old bastard... joe

Thanks for looking, Joe. A guy I know that specializes in LS engine swaps got me steered in the right direction. I prefer a stick shift for fun but for a daily work driver, Im with you. Put it in DRIVE and drive. How the projects coming? Still got the big panel truck project going?

I assume it has power steering? if so, you could do a hydraboost type master cylinder for the clutch----power clutch!!!!!!!!!!anyone know a patten attorney??????????