M1028 6.0 LS LQ4, 4L80E, NP-205 swap

[UNIMOG-GUY]

After losing a rubber oil line while pushing snow in 2018 the 6.2 locked up. The truck sat for 5 years I was busy running my business until I closed it in 2022 and sold the business in 2024.

In an effort to raise funds…due to my new “toy” philosophy. I listed the other 2x M1008 I had for sale. Eric a local stopped by. He said he had a M1008 and was interested in the trucks but we couldn’t get together on the price. A couple of months go by and I after not seeing a lot of interest in the trucks. I reached back out to Eric and he and I agreed to a barter. I would give him the 2 trucks for him to install the IP off the blown engine and put it on the “good” engine out of the M1008 that needed a IP. That engine would then be put in my M1028.

Months later while I was looking for a junkyard 6.0 combo he suggested I just buy his 6.0, 4L80E and NP-205 (he gave me a great deal) and the previously bartered labor to swap it into my M1028. Eric swapped out the fuel injectors for 50lb units from a E85 equipped vehicle. He also put in a new cam and refreshed the engine with new gaskets, seals, rings, etc.



I’ll post more pics and info of the install with a parts list for those who are interested in making the swap.

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Reserved for future posts

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Reserved for future posts

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

To say that I’m happy with my choice to go with the 6.0 and a 4L80E is an understatement.

I just drove from VA to CO 7-8-24 to 7-10-24 and the truck ran great! I was driving 70-75 most of the way. No way that happens with the 6.2!

First pic is driving thru Tropical Storm Beryl.

I’m running Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 235/85/R16

 

[socalsrt]

I have an almost identical truck.... M1028 with a LQ4, 4L80E, & NP205. Really has turned into an awesome truck. I highly recommend the swap to anyone with the time and means. Much like yours, it will cruise at 75 mph all day long and is reliable enough to fire up and drive anywhere. What exhaust manifolds did you end up with? I went through a few pairs before finding something that kind of fit.... I run 33" tires with the small ORD shackle flip and will bump up to 35s when these wear out. Sweet looking rig!

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

I have an almost identical truck.... M1028 with a LQ4, 4L80E, & NP205. Really has turned into an awesome truck. I highly recommend the swap to anyone with the time and means. Much like yours, it will cruise at 75 mph all day long and is reliable enough to fire up and drive anywhere. What exhaust manifolds did you end up with? I went through a few pairs before finding something that kind of fit.... I run 33" tires with the small ORD shackle flip and will bump up to 35s when these wear out. Sweet looking rig!

Speed Engineering
Inch and seven eighths tubes, three inch collectors

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Anyone have any recommendations on a deeper aluminum transmission pan? I’m looking to add fluid capacity, a magnetic drain plug which will hopefully increase the trans lifespan.

 

[chevymike]

Summit Racing will have lot of pan options. I like Derale pans, as they have cooling tubes in them. I have used them on a couple different rigs.

Derale Cooling Products 14207 Derale Transmission Pans | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Derale Transmission Pans with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Automatic Transmission Pans at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Summit Racing will have lot of pan options. I like Derale pans, as they have cooling tubes in them. I have used them on a couple different rigs.

Derale Cooling Products 14207 Derale Transmission Pans | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Derale Transmission Pans with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Automatic Transmission Pans at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Did you see a noticeable temperature drop? I looked at their pans with cooling tubes but thought they were gimmicky?!?!?!
But maybe not?

 

[chevymike]

Did you see a noticeable temperature drop? I looked at their pans with cooling tubes but thought they were gimmicky?!?!?!
But maybe not?

The couple vehicles I ran that pan in, I never had a trans temp gauge so I cannot tell you. Never had any issues with any of them.

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

@chevymike thank you for your reply!



I researched several of the aftermarket transmission pans:

-MAG-HYTEC- 4 quarts over stock, Aluminum, $370.98

-B&M HI-TEK- 3 quarts over stock, Aluminum, $349.95

-TCI AUTOMOTIVE - 4.5 quarts over stock, Aluminum, $568.95 (Temporarily unavailable at time of posting)

-DERALE- 4 quarts 16oz over stock, Stamped Steel, $232.80

I was worried about the “cooling passages” increasing the potential for leaks (even tho they say they pressure test them) and it honestly just felt a little gimmicky to me. I really question how much airflow would be going thru the passages under the truck? But in full disclosure I’m not an engineer.

-MOROSO- ??? quarts over stock, Aluminum, $347.99

After not finding the increased fluid capacity on their website I emailed MOROSO and asked specifically for the additional quarts vs stock and this is the reply I received:

Your best bet is to just check the level on the dipstick and add accordingly. Although most of our transmission pans are deeper then stock, we don't list them as extra capacity.

Thank you,
Frank

Based on their listed dimensions of pan depth I’m going to shoot from the hip and guess its additional capacity is 2.5 to 3 quarts additional????

I ended up purchasing the MAG-HYTEC mainly based on cost, aluminum, magnetic drain plug, the positive reviews, customer service I received when asking questions and the additional fluid capacity it offered over the other pans. I will report back after the pan is installed.

I hope this helps someone in the future.