9-7x AWD transmission- replace or swap for 4wd 5 speed?

[rb1988]

Hello! My '05 TB is getting tired so I've been desultorily looking. I'm thinking of getting a 5.3 9-7x, but I occasionally get very muddy. How good is the Trollblazer in the slick mud? Could I fairly easily swap the AWD transmission for a 5 speed automatic, maybe from a dead SS or Envoy 5.3?

[HARDTRAILZ]

There is no factory 5 speed auto--only 4 speeds. Transmission is not AWD. That is a transfer case that either has a junk awd setup or a real low range equipped transfer case like a Trollblazer that will do quite well in slick mud.

Does not get much slicker than sloppy wet clay like this and truck did quite well.

[rb1988]

That's what I want, a transfer case 4 wheel drive rather than the AWD that is standard in the trollblazers. Can the transfer case 4wd be swapped in for the AWD? Sorry for my ignorance.

And is that an AWD in that mud? Pretty impressive!

[Trail X]

The transfer case in a trailblazer and envoy is 4WD. You're probably getting confused by the A4WD mode on the selector knob. That is automatic 4WD mode, and that mode is garbage. The 4WD and 4LO modes work pretty well. The AWD transfer case has no mode switch on the dash, and is perpetually stuck in the A4WD mode from the factory. They come on the bravada, ranier, etc.

[HARDTRAILZ]

The 9-7x you mention looking at will be AWD. You caould possibly swap in a 4WD transfer case from a Trailblazer, but would likely need to have some serious computer programming or maybe a PCM swap from a 5.3 Trailblazer. Not as simple as bolting on in place of the other.

That is a 4 Wheel drive stock transfer case in my Trailblazer. It works quite well in the mud or rocks or on the trail.


FYI- The SS are also AWD so a TC from on of them won't help.
The TC is the same whether it is a 4.2 or 5.3.

[bartonmd]

The transfer case in a trailblazer and envoy is 4WD. You're probably getting confused by the A4WD mode on the selector knob. That is automatic 4WD mode, and that mode is garbage. The 4WD and 4LO modes work pretty well. The AWD transfer case has no mode switch on the dash, and is perpetually stuck in the A4WD mode from the factory. They come on the bravada, ranier, etc.

Exactly.

[navigator]

Why not get a 5.3 tb instead of the 9-7x?

[KingBird]

Lol, no, all you need is the transfer case with encoder motor, transfer case control module and pigtails, the wiring harness to the transfer case, and the selector switch from a 4wd trailblazer.

A little time, some wiring, and some patience will get you what you want in no time!

I also used this diagram to tell me what goes where. I know, I know, it looks daunting, and it certainly can be. My advice is to pay attention to the plug and pin designators between the diagram and your wire colors. I think some of the wire colors changed between years too.

[KingBird]

And yes it IS as simple as bolting it in and wiring it up.