700R4 question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71chevylowrider · 03-13-2007, 06:13 PM

Hey guys, what are the "good" years of 700R4's wasn't there something about the earlier ones had weak parts in them or somehting? I found a deal on an 88 700R4 out a cop car & I'm wondering if that is worth messing with. it's for my 71 C-10 with a 350

Pyrotechnic · 03-13-2007, 06:29 PM

Not sure exactly on the years but I believe it's 1987 and up that had better parts in them. With a 700R4 though, I would definetly go for a rebuilt one either way. Anything used and still on the factory build will probably not last long.

nvrforgotten52 · 03-14-2007, 12:49 AM

87 and up i believe was the 30 spline. i believe they also had the better lockup... not totally positive though..i would go with something above 87

brak · 03-14-2007, 01:01 AM

I also believe that the truck tranny's were beefier than the car tranny's.
I see it alot in the 3rd gen Fbody crowd, people ditching their 84-87 700's in favor of the early 90's Truck 700's.

I will be running a 700r4 from a 92 camaro, primarily because i have one sitting in my garage. I recently sold my 84 camaro, and it was one of my unused parts, so i may as well put it to use.

71chevylowrider · 03-14-2007, 01:50 AM

cool, thanks you guys, I'm gonna pass on this one cause they say the mileage is unknown, my search continues.

cooters · 03-14-2007, 08:29 AM

87 and up are good trannys because they use an auxilary valve body and most updates are done. Stay away from 83 and 84 which had 27 spline input. V6 trannys have less clutches and are less desirable.

MrOverkill · 03-14-2007, 10:34 AM

did they make manual (not computer operated) 700r4s past 1987?

67ChevyRedneck · 03-14-2007, 10:51 AM

All 700R4's had computer assisted operation.

Pyrotechnic · 03-14-2007, 03:06 PM

All factory transmissions have the electronic lockup clutch, but I've seen some that have been modified to engage the lockup hydraulically. Thats strictly an aftermarket thing though.

cooters · 03-14-2007, 03:52 PM

the 700 is not computer controled, the lockup is elecricaly controled but has no computer to run it. All 4l60 trannys are a computer controled version of the 700 which is why they dont have a tv cable. The diesel trucks were hydraulically locking tcs from the factory, which is what i do to my 700s instead of running wires.

**LockDoc** · 03-14-2007, 04:07 PM

-
Here's the skinny. The most desireable ones for our trucks with the stock type engines are the 1985-88 passenger car & trucks. The pre 85 units are not as strong and the later ones use electronic sensors to operate properly. The rear tranny mount will have to be moved also. I had to drill new holes in the frame for mine...

If it's a decent looking one & cheap enough I'd probably buy it and have it checked out and rebuilt if it needs it.

LockDoc

71chevylowrider · 03-14-2007, 07:20 PM

Hey thanks LocDoc, I do want a good one, & the only reason i was considering one from a car is they said it was from a cop car, & I'm sure those would have some beefier components in them, it was only $225 but there was no pic & the Mileage was unknown.

cooters · 03-14-2007, 07:33 PM

the only difference to the fuel injected 700s is the electronic speedo gear which can be changed easily. The fuel injected 700s use 10 or 13 vein pump instead of 7 vein, and the drum and planetary are updated also

jlaird · 03-14-2007, 10:34 PM

don't mean to hijack, but what is the more desirable tranny for a street truck, a thm350 or the later 700r4? just starting to learn about trannies...

snj8198 · 03-14-2007, 10:44 PM

strength wise they are similar. The 700r4 has a steeper 1st gear at 3.06 versus the the TH350's 2.52. The 700 will launch you out of the hole faster and has a .73 overdrive.

cooters · 03-14-2007, 10:46 PM

everyone loves the 700 but they are more likely to fail compared to the 350. For strength the 400 or 4L80 are king.

snj8198 · 03-14-2007, 10:57 PM

stock units tend to fail however any local reputable tranny shop can build a unit that can stand a lot of torque and won't cost too much over a standard rebuild. I'ver ran a 700R4 in 4x4 applications behind a supercharged small block, stroker, and a big block. I liked it for towing but admittingly it will last longer with a steeper rear gear.

03-13-2007, 06:13 PM	#1
71chevylowrider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,015	700R4 question Hey guys, what are the "good" years of 700R4's wasn't there something about the earlier ones had weak parts in them or somehting? I found a deal on an 88 700R4 out a cop car & I'm wondering if that is worth messing with. it's for my 71 C-10 with a 350

03-13-2007, 06:29 PM	#2
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: 700R4 question Not sure exactly on the years but I believe it's 1987 and up that had better parts in them. With a 700R4 though, I would definetly go for a rebuilt one either way. Anything used and still on the factory build will probably not last long. Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 03-13-2007 at 06:34 PM.

03-14-2007, 12:49 AM	#3
nvrforgotten52 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Morro Bay C.A Posts: 179	Re: 700R4 question 87 and up i believe was the 30 spline. i believe they also had the better lockup... not totally positive though..i would go with something above 87 __________________ '69 C10 SWB 350 edelbrock int/carb .420 .442 cam 700r4 70 lwb c10 work truck 250 I6 with two inch lift springs and a two inch bodylift and 33/12.5s

03-14-2007, 01:01 AM	#4
brak Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 1,381	Re: 700R4 question I also believe that the truck tranny's were beefier than the car tranny's. I see it alot in the 3rd gen Fbody crowd, people ditching their 84-87 700's in favor of the early 90's Truck 700's. I will be running a 700r4 from a 92 camaro, primarily because i have one sitting in my garage. I recently sold my 84 camaro, and it was one of my unused parts, so i may as well put it to use. __________________ 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill

03-14-2007, 01:50 AM	#5
71chevylowrider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,015	Re: 700R4 question cool, thanks you guys, I'm gonna pass on this one cause they say the mileage is unknown, my search continues.

03-14-2007, 08:29 AM	#6
cooters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 458	Re: 700R4 question 87 and up are good trannys because they use an auxilary valve body and most updates are done. Stay away from 83 and 84 which had 27 spline input. V6 trannys have less clutches and are less desirable.

03-14-2007, 10:34 AM	#7
MrOverkill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: C-Town, OK Posts: 9	Re: 700R4 question did they make manual (not computer operated) 700r4s past 1987?

03-14-2007, 10:51 AM	#8
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 700R4 question All 700R4's had computer assisted operation. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 03-14-2007 at 10:52 AM.

03-14-2007, 03:06 PM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: 700R4 question All factory transmissions have the electronic lockup clutch, but I've seen some that have been modified to engage the lockup hydraulically. Thats strictly an aftermarket thing though.

03-14-2007, 03:52 PM	#10
cooters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 458	Re: 700R4 question the 700 is not computer controled, the lockup is elecricaly controled but has no computer to run it. All 4l60 trannys are a computer controled version of the 700 which is why they dont have a tv cable. The diesel trucks were hydraulically locking tcs from the factory, which is what i do to my 700s instead of running wires.

03-14-2007, 04:07 PM	#11
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,331	Re: 700R4 question - Here's the skinny. The most desireable ones for our trucks with the stock type engines are the 1985-88 passenger car & trucks. The pre 85 units are not as strong and the later ones use electronic sensors to operate properly. The rear tranny mount will have to be moved also. I had to drill new holes in the frame for mine... If it's a decent looking one & cheap enough I'd probably buy it and have it checked out and rebuilt if it needs it. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 03-14-2007 at 06:23 PM.

03-14-2007, 07:20 PM	#12
71chevylowrider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,015	Re: 700R4 question Hey thanks LocDoc, I do want a good one, & the only reason i was considering one from a car is they said it was from a cop car, & I'm sure those would have some beefier components in them, it was only $225 but there was no pic & the Mileage was unknown.

03-14-2007, 07:33 PM	#13
cooters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 458	Re: 700R4 question the only difference to the fuel injected 700s is the electronic speedo gear which can be changed easily. The fuel injected 700s use 10 or 13 vein pump instead of 7 vein, and the drum and planetary are updated also

03-14-2007, 10:34 PM	#14
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: 700R4 question don't mean to hijack, but what is the more desirable tranny for a street truck, a thm350 or the later 700r4? just starting to learn about trannies...

03-14-2007, 10:44 PM	#15
snj8198 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Star Valley, WY Posts: 2,038	Re: 700R4 question strength wise they are similar. The 700r4 has a steeper 1st gear at 3.06 versus the the TH350's 2.52. The 700 will launch you out of the hole faster and has a .73 overdrive.



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03-14-2007, 10:46 PM	#16
cooters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 458	Re: 700R4 question everyone loves the 700 but they are more likely to fail compared to the 350. For strength the 400 or 4L80 are king.

03-14-2007, 10:57 PM	#17
snj8198 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Star Valley, WY Posts: 2,038	Re: 700R4 question stock units tend to fail however any local reputable tranny shop can build a unit that can stand a lot of torque and won't cost too much over a standard rebuild. I'ver ran a 700R4 in 4x4 applications behind a supercharged small block, stroker, and a big block. I liked it for towing but admittingly it will last longer with a steeper rear gear.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.