Can I remove my ecm (88 - 94) and still maintain the factory abs braking systems

[Russtypickle]

Hey, I'm looking at buying an 88 - 93 1500 but want to replace the engine and trans with a carbureted 350 and 4L60 trans. The question is; do these years have stand alone abs braking systems, independent of any speed sensors that require the main ecm to operate properly? I'm looking to put some money into a small build but don't want to worry about getting a vehicle inspection for some silly reason and then not having a functioning ABS system. If I could go up to a 94 or 95 that would be even better but my understanding is that I may be pushing my luck as it is.

 

[jcperformance]

Yeah those trucks use rear-wheel ABS (RWAL), it’s basically its own module and not really tied into the engine ECM. You’ll still have a speed sensor in the trans/transfer case feeding it though.
Swapping to a carb 350 is fine, but the 4L60 (especially electronic) will need a controller or it won’t shift right. If you want to keep it simple, a 700R4 might be the easier route.
94–95 starts getting a bit more tied together electronically, so 88–93 is definitely the safer bet for a clean swap.

 

[xm20k]

I did a 350 in a 92 5 speed truck was originally a v6 efi i did have to install adjustable fuel regulator and gage with return, other than a check engine light due to missing a couple sensors she ran fine.

 

[Russtypickle]

Yeah those trucks use rear-wheel ABS (RWAL), it’s basically its own module and not really tied into the engine ECM. You’ll still have a speed sensor in the trans/transfer case feeding it though.
Swapping to a carb 350 is fine, but the 4L60 (especially electronic) will need a controller or it won’t shift right. If you want to keep it simple, a 700R4 might be the easier route.
94–95 starts getting a bit more tied together electronically, so 88–93 is definitely the safer bet for a clean swap.

Thanks JC, does the speed sensor run through the ecm or can it be standalone too? Will a TPS adaptor work on the 4L60 and are they relatively easy to setup or is it better to just stay away from it and stick with manual or 700R4's? I will be using it to tow a 7500LB trailer once and a while so I'll likely have to rebuild any automatic transmission for it so keeping the 700R4 wouldn't be hardship.

 

[Russtypickle]

I did a 350 in a 92 5 speed truck was originally a v6 efi i did have to install adjustable fuel regulator and gage with return, other than a check engine light due to missing a couple sensors she ran fine.

Brilliant xm, did you remove the ecm completely or do they still tie into the other wiring like a pcm? I always thought it was crazy that guys didn't rebuild 2004 f150's when their 5.4 blew up (they were $1000) but I'm realizing now why. Knowing how many things are tied to and won't work without the ecm/pcm it seams it would be impossible to pass a vehicle inspection, half the systems would be aftermarket and no mechanic would want to put their name on passing it. Sorry for the rant; are there other bits tied into the ecm or is it relating to wires from the gauge cluster not getting signal from a removed engine component?

 

[xm20k]

I left it in there i just found keyed power for distributor and tied/taped up the unused harness/plugs

 

[Ricko1966]

Thanks JC, does the speed sensor run through the ecm or can it be standalone too? Will a TPS adaptor work on the 4L60 and are they relatively easy to setup or is it better to just stay away from it and stick with manual or 700R4's? I will be using it to tow a 7500LB trailer once and a while so I'll likely have to rebuild any automatic transmission for it so keeping the 700R4 wouldn't be hardship.

You'll need a map sensor,and a throttle position sensor and I believe a crank position sensor,might be able to use tach signal for crank position. Anyway a 4l60e will need to have a computer that knows rpm,speed and load to control the transmission. You could go full manual with it. But if it's a 4l60 not a 4l60E all you need is a TV cable.

 

[jcperformance]

Thanks JC, does the speed sensor run through the ecm or can it be standalone too? Will a TPS adaptor work on the 4L60 and are they relatively easy to setup or is it better to just stay away from it and stick with manual or 700R4's? I will be using it to tow a 7500LB trailer once and a while so I'll likely have to rebuild any automatic transmission for it so keeping the 700R4 wouldn't be hardship.

Speed sensor doesn’t have to go through the ECM—it can run standalone for the ABS no problem
For the 4L60E, yeah you can run a TPS adapter on a carb and a standalone controller (like US Shift, etc.), and it works fine—but it does add cost and a bit of setup/tuning.
honestly for what you’re doing (simple swap + occasional towing), a built 700R4 is the easier and more reliable route. Way less wiring, no controller headaches, and plenty strong if done right.

 

[xm20k]

Might be easier to find a manual truck or use a non computer controlled trans depending on how deep in the woods you want to get with it.

The one I did was because thetruck was cheap $500 and I already had a sbc basicly ready to run minus exhaust and the fuel system mods.