700R4 Tranny for $150 - Buy or Not?

[the67Beast]

So I eventually want to upgrade from my 3-speed to an automatic. Found a supposed 1991 700R4 transmission that the seller said needs to be rebuilt. He's asking $150 for the tranny. Is that too good to be true or are these things really expensive to have rebuilt? Maybe I wait and just buy one already rebuilt? What would ya'll do?

[dagnabbitt]

$150 US is what they go for where I live, it's not a bad deal. 1991 is a good year to get, too. I assume that it is a 2WD and you have researched these transmissions so you know what you are getting into.

I spent another $1500 US to get it built with shift kit and stall, and I couldn't be happier.

[the67Beast]

Yeah its 2WD. I have been researching a bit on it but just don't have any price information. At the least it would give me a core if I needed one. I have heard good things about having an OD tranny and with a 3.73 rear end I should still be able to lite up the rear tires if I want to!

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by the67Beast

Yeah its 2WD. I have been researching a bit on it but just don't have any price information. At the least it would give me a core if I needed one. I have heard good things about having an OD tranny and with a 3.73 rear end I should still be able to lite up the rear tires if I want to!

I run into lots of people on this forum who who don't like the 700r4 for one reason or another - I am sure they know what is best for their truck, and I assume that they are not starting with an old howling 350C lock up like I did - but depending upon your application I don't really see a downside to a better first gear AND overdrive. As long as it is mated to a nice small block and you don't plan on doing any serious towing it's a great transmission.

I drive the highway/freeway about 60 miles a day and I cannot overemphasize what it did not just for RPMs and fuel economy, but for drivability. It lights them up and as a bonus if it is built right the tires break loose when it hits second gear too. Mine does, and my 350 is tired.

I'm a bit out of the loop on prices but it sounds like you are paying no more than core price for it. It is possible you could pull one yourself from a junkyard for a little less. Make sure you have the TV cable and bracketry etc included or you might as well do just that.

Mine is a 91 as well, they had them figured out by then and they were still non-electronic until 93.

[the67Beast]

I can't see a downside to an OD transmission. I'll be bolting it to the little 283 first and then later on, who knows, I might bolt it to a 383 stroker. In any case it'll be a lot more fun to drive. Now I need to locate a column shift steering column and the rest of the parts I'll need. Thank for the input!

[pjmoreland]

I paid $173 a few months ago for a '93 700R4 at the local pick-n-pull, and I had to pull it myself without a jack, so $150 sounds like a steal. I'm in the middle of rebuilding it myself right now. I've spent about $500 on parts so far (rebuild kit, sunshell, sprags), and maybe another $150 on tools. I'm doing this mostly for the fun of having a project, and I don't depend on my truck for transportation, so I'm taking my time with it. I installed a 700R4 in a 72 C10 I had a number of years ago, and it made the truck a pleasure to drive on the freeway. I'd say my current truck, with a TH400, 3.73 gears, Flowmasters and side exit pipes, is an intense experience to drive on the freeway. You'll find me putting along in the slow lane doing 55-60.

[BigBird05]

2X on the TV cable, bracket that is bolted onto the intake, fill tube, torque converter cover, electrical plug and yoke from the drive shaft. That is a metric trans so get as many of the bolts as you can. Check to see if the torque converter bolt holes line up to your flywheel. If they need adjusting it is very hard to do with the transmission installed. If you decide to not get it let me know. I've been looking for one. LOL

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

2X on the TV cable, bracket that is bolted onto the intake, fill tube, torque converter cover, electrical plug and yoke from the drive shaft. That is a metric trans so get as many of the bolts as you can. Check to see if the torque converter bolt holes line up to your flywheel. If they need adjusting it is very hard to do with the transmission installed. If you decide to not get it let me know. I've been looking for one. LOL

Ditto to that, grab all you can. I had the trans shop install the whole unit and and set the TV cable too, I've heard too much about guys setting them themselves and burning it.

Get the torque converter also, but just so you can take a look at it: if you're getting it rebuilt don't try to save money by reusing a nasty one with old fluid in it, just get a new one.

I got lucky, my driveshaft still fit, but budget for a new one since there are different lengths. Don't worry its money well spent.

It seems like a lot of expense and trouble but it was the best upgrade for the dollar I ever did.

[kwmech]

I've got the original 700r4 that came out of my '91 4x suburban. Every now and then I'll put it on craigs list for 250. It was in good working shape when I took it out to upgrade to a 4l80. Trans, convertor, cable, dipstick tube and gauge and the 4x adapter. It has 125k on it and was starting to whine a little in 1st gear. May need a rear planetary? I would go through it with the mileage on it and freshen it up. Personally I don't like them that's 1 of the reasons I took it out--the other is I plan on doing some heavy towing

[the67Beast]

Update: I missed out on the 91 tranny, but ended up finding a 1986 model tranny today. Only $150. Not too bad for a 700R4 that’s going to give me overdrive. Thanks for all the info.
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[jimijam00]

Can you return it and get a later model?

[the67Beast]

No not returnable. At the least I have a good core to turn in. So what all is wrong with an 86 model? I know the bugs got worked out in the later models.

[HO455]

This big thread will answer your questions.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634121