700R4...What year is best? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

f.monroe · 05-29-2006, 10:43 PM

I am thinking of putting a 700 in my 77 Chevy and was wondering if there were certain years to look for or look away from ? Thanks , Frank

bigblock73 · 05-29-2006, 11:13 PM

I have always heard the 87 and newer units were the best, and to stay away from the earlier years.

Bowtie Overdrives has a lot of good info on these transmissions, and seem VERY knowledgable on them...might try giving them a call just to pick theri brains.

*DroppedZ84* · 05-30-2006, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblock73

I have always heard the 87 and newer units were the best, and to stay away from the earlier years.

Yep, 87+ I THINK they changed the sun gear and that's what made them stronger. I know they ARE stronger, just can't remember exactly why.
But then again, if you get an empty case and put ALL new internals in it...it really doesn't matter now does it?

1badbowtie · 05-29-2006, 11:51 PM

Also Painless Wiring sells a converter lock up kit to retrofit your non ECM vehicle, and its only around 80 bucks.

Jonboy · 05-30-2006, 12:03 PM

the early ones had weak pumps, and those are the ones that gave the early OD tranny's a bad rep. I think by 87 they had everything sorted out. I know in the 88 and later light truck applications had an auxillary valve body to help when towing.

SSC's76 · 05-30-2006, 02:15 PM

It's actaully 88+. Late 87 (MIGHT) have the aux valve body like the 88 but there are a few minor improvments that were not introduced until 88. If your planning on dropping a rebuilt one I suggest Probuilt. Dana is a real nice guy and does great work. They even have 4L60's converted to vacuum modulator operation so no screwy TV cables or electronics to mess with except for the TCC lockup which the S series vacuum switch can be had for $20 at your local GM dealer. The vacuum scwitch is mucho easyer and cheaper then the painless or B&M kit.

**Captkaos** · 05-30-2006, 05:48 PM

Ditto on SSC's76 post. 88-92.

SanitysBane · 05-30-2006, 07:30 PM

Thats when they went from 700R4's to 4l60's, then in 93 when they went full electronic they became 4l60Es.

the baron · 05-31-2006, 04:46 AM

Hi all ,

I've also heard that there are two kind of TH700R4 :

one with 27 splines , the other with 30 splines ...

it seems the 27 splines is a PITA to get pieces to overhaul / rebuild / repair ...

I have no idea if this all is true or false ...

Anyway , I don't bother , I ditched my TH700R4 for a TH400 , less problems or no problems at all ...

gretzzz

the Baron

bodydropped · 05-31-2006, 11:36 AM

i got a 90 caprice cop car trans in my truck im runnin a b&m lock up module to lock it up around 60 but not sure what years are the best but when i rebuild mine im usin a corvette kit because there are more clutchs

f.monroe · 06-01-2006, 12:14 AM

Thanks for the info . I think I will look for an 87 , or newer trans and give the old truck a little relief . Frank

05-29-2006, 10:43 PM	#1
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	700R4...What year is best? I am thinking of putting a 700 in my 77 Chevy and was wondering if there were certain years to look for or look away from ? Thanks , Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

05-29-2006, 11:13 PM	#2
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: 700R4...What year is best? I have always heard the 87 and newer units were the best, and to stay away from the earlier years. Bowtie Overdrives has a lot of good info on these transmissions, and seem VERY knowledgable on them...might try giving them a call just to pick theri brains. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

05-29-2006, 11:51 PM	#4
1badbowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 23	Re: 700R4...What year is best? Also Painless Wiring sells a converter lock up kit to retrofit your non ECM vehicle, and its only around 80 bucks.

05-30-2006, 12:03 PM	#5
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: 700R4...What year is best? the early ones had weak pumps, and those are the ones that gave the early OD tranny's a bad rep. I think by 87 they had everything sorted out. I know in the 88 and later light truck applications had an auxillary valve body to help when towing. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

05-30-2006, 02:15 PM	#6
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: 700R4...What year is best? It's actaully 88+. Late 87 (MIGHT) have the aux valve body like the 88 but there are a few minor improvments that were not introduced until 88. If your planning on dropping a rebuilt one I suggest Probuilt. Dana is a real nice guy and does great work. They even have 4L60's converted to vacuum modulator operation so no screwy TV cables or electronics to mess with except for the TCC lockup which the S series vacuum switch can be had for $20 at your local GM dealer. The vacuum scwitch is mucho easyer and cheaper then the painless or B&M kit. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

05-30-2006, 05:48 PM	#7
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 700R4...What year is best? Ditto on SSC's76 post. 88-92. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

05-30-2006, 07:30 PM	#8
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: 700R4...What year is best? Thats when they went from 700R4's to 4l60's, then in 93 when they went full electronic they became 4l60Es. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

05-31-2006, 04:46 AM	#9
the baron Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Liège , Belgium Posts: 263	Re: 700R4...What year is best? Hi all , I've also heard that there are two kind of TH700R4 : one with 27 splines , the other with 30 splines ... it seems the 27 splines is a PITA to get pieces to overhaul / rebuild / repair ... I have no idea if this all is true or false ... Anyway , I don't bother , I ditched my TH700R4 for a TH400 , less problems or no problems at all ... gretzzz the Baron __________________ 1982 Suburban 2WD , 260ci Olds engine,TH400 , will get a 1979 front clip , might be ready in ... 2016 1985 Chevy Van ( 305/350 ) , "Kellogg" equipped , my actual D.D. 1960 Girl Friend , frame still good , body has some dents Last edited by the baron; 05-31-2006 at 04:46 AM.

05-31-2006, 11:36 AM	#10
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	Re: 700R4...What year is best? i got a 90 caprice cop car trans in my truck im runnin a b&m lock up module to lock it up around 60 but not sure what years are the best but when i rebuild mine im usin a corvette kit because there are more clutchs __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

06-01-2006, 12:14 AM	#11
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: 700R4...What year is best? Thanks for the info . I think I will look for an 87 , or newer trans and give the old truck a little relief . Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

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