200R4 Tranny Install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JRB · 02-22-2006, 12:37 PM

Is there any electronics issues to deal with when installing a 200R4? Does the 200R4 have the same kind of Kickdown as a TH400? I have 4:10 gears in the differential and not knowing what tires and wheels I am going to put on it yet I cant figure out what the RPM's will be. I am hoping for 2500 at 70. Right now 70 will rattle your teeth with the TH350.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
JRB

**tkeduk8r** · 02-22-2006, 01:48 PM

did this to my 74 and it has worked out great since!!!.. 2004r is direct replacement for th350, so you can use same driveshaft(s) and linkage.. k\just hae to move the crossmember back a bit for the rear support... if your using a quadrajet, (like i did) you may want to switch out the bottom (throttle body, not the fuel injection, the bottom plate of the carb with the butterflies) with a TB out of a 73-90 qjet.. you get the right attachement and mount point for tv cable. then its installing the tv cable and your ready to go... if you want to activate the lock up feature of the tconverter, then you need to run a switched 12v to the lockup connector on the side of the trans... bowtie od's sells a kit with a relat and new fourth gear pressure switch that worked out great for me... my 200 is behind a 305 and its a great drive 18-19 hwy in the summer with a 31" tire and 3.73's.. 2000 rpm@70 mph... any other questions lemme know..
--Mike

Longhorn Man · 02-22-2006, 03:44 PM

The 200 4R is a direct replacement physicly.... IF you have the short shaft Th350.

I highly recomend some sort of automatic lock up control, running with it unlocked will damage the converter and tranny due to excesive slippage.

I would also recomend getting a kit for what ever kind of carb you have, and setting the TV cable with the tranny pressure guage. If it is not dead on, your tranny will seff destruct in 20,000 miles or less, pretty much guranted.

67ChevyRedneck · 02-22-2006, 03:54 PM

Longhornman is dead on correct. You can get both kits he is describing from a company called bowtie overdrives

Go to BOWTIEOVERDRIVES.COM for more info.

You can get both kits for around $75 each. I'll be ordering mine in the next month or so. Make sure you get the lock-up kit with the brake switch. Nothing worse than going down the interstate, slamming on your brakes, and your truck stalls because the converter didn't unlock. Very dangerous.

cdowns · 02-22-2006, 05:55 PM

i ran a 2004R tranny without a lockup converter put 75K miles on it no problems // it was alot of hispeed longdistance hiway miles many of it towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads// was still very strong until the oak tree fell on the truck during a hurricane // just set it up with a wot adjustment no pressure gauges

Longhorn Man · 02-22-2006, 08:20 PM

cdowns, you got lucky on that.
The bell crank diameter chainges the rate of pull on the TV cable, so if your carb isn't dead on right, you may not know it untill it is too late. Way too many people will tell you how theres shifted fine and all of a sudden, nothing.
And 99% of them adjusted like sdowns did.
The TV cable is more than a simple kick down cable like the old TH350 had, the TV cable controls the line pressure and the responsiveness of the pump output. As soon as you crack the throttle blades open, your line pressure must rise, otherwise, your tranny will starve for oil and will die in about 20,000 miles.
The lock up kit isn't as important, however, an overdrive tranny by nature will slip more than a non overdrive, and one that is designed to lock up that fails to into lock up will slip even more on top of the previouse mentioned slipping. That is why 99.9% of your auto overdrives use lock up converters. It wasn't for CAFE requirements, not for gas guzzler tax, but to make the tranny last longer.

tonyj · 02-24-2006, 02:48 PM

I have a short shaft 400 in mine, is the conversion about the same for a 700R4??

**VetteVet** · 02-24-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRB

Is there any electronics issues to deal with when installing a 200R4? Does the 200R4 have the same kind of Kickdown as a TH400? I have 4:10 gears in the differential and not knowing what tires and wheels I am going to put on it yet I cant figure out what the RPM's will be. I am hoping for 2500 at 70. Right now 70 will rattle your teeth with the TH350.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
JRB

The 2004r is a great transmission when it is beefed up. You do not have to have a lockup converter on anything newer than an 86, but why would you not want it? They have a closer gear ratio between first and second than the 700r4s. You must have the TV cable set properly though or you will burn up the clutches. here is a website with links to several other 2000r4 sites.

http://members.aol.com/powerrslid/thm2004r.html

JRB · 02-27-2006, 12:24 PM

VetteVet,
Thanks for that link, there is a ton of great information in there.
JRB

Greubin · 03-03-2006, 12:23 PM

Great thread, I've been weighing my tranny options and leaning towards the 2004r as well. I'll be ordering mine from bowtieoverdrives
Here's the parts list as I see it
2004r Level 1
TV system
TCC wiring kit
installers kit
New torque converter - which one??

Now my only question at this point is the stall converter. Mines ok, but figured since I got it apart might as well replace the converter. Knowing nothing about converters, whats the best option, a HD 2200?

JRB · 03-03-2006, 09:00 PM

I hadn't even thought about a Stall Converter. I was just going to use the one that came with it. I am not building a race truck though. I havent heard too much about how stout these 200r4's are. Hope it can handle my 4:10 in the rear.
JRB

krue · 03-04-2006, 06:33 AM

The 200-4R handles the Buick GN's doing wheel stands.

JRB · 03-05-2006, 02:01 AM

Good Point Krue! I guess it should handle my half worn out 350 just fine.
JRB

Greubin · 03-08-2006, 10:23 PM

I called Bowtie this past Monday to place an order, initially for a 2004r. After some discussion about my application with a technician, they suggested that I run with the 700R4 instead. I'm currently running a th350 w/ 4.10 rear and 29" tires. Bowtie said they would not warranty any damage that may occur if a 2004r was purchased for my application. I plan to haul a couple motorycles or tow a trailer in the future.

S0, I have a 700R4 level 2 coming with all the necessary parts to go with it for the install. I'll have to shorten my driveline, but that's no big deal for the local shop to handle.

Double check your application before buying the 2004r.

Oh yeah - Speed Calculator Input values ie tire height, rear end ratio, etc and it will spit out the RPM at a given MPH.

Longhorn Man · 03-08-2006, 11:12 PM

It all depends on what builder you talk too, Art Carr woulda told you a million reasons to NOT use the 700.

02-22-2006, 12:37 PM	#1
JRB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 287	200R4 Tranny Install Is there any electronics issues to deal with when installing a 200R4? Does the 200R4 have the same kind of Kickdown as a TH400? I have 4:10 gears in the differential and not knowing what tires and wheels I am going to put on it yet I cant figure out what the RPM's will be. I am hoping for 2500 at 70. Right now 70 will rattle your teeth with the TH350. Thanks for any help you can give me. JRB Last edited by JRB; 02-22-2006 at 04:32 PM.

02-22-2006, 01:48 PM	#2
tkeduk8r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 1,462	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install did this to my 74 and it has worked out great since!!!.. 2004r is direct replacement for th350, so you can use same driveshaft(s) and linkage.. k\just hae to move the crossmember back a bit for the rear support... if your using a quadrajet, (like i did) you may want to switch out the bottom (throttle body, not the fuel injection, the bottom plate of the carb with the butterflies) with a TB out of a 73-90 qjet.. you get the right attachement and mount point for tv cable. then its installing the tv cable and your ready to go... if you want to activate the lock up feature of the tconverter, then you need to run a switched 12v to the lockup connector on the side of the trans... bowtie od's sells a kit with a relat and new fourth gear pressure switch that worked out great for me... my 200 is behind a 305 and its a great drive 18-19 hwy in the summer with a 31" tire and 3.73's.. 2000 rpm@70 mph... any other questions lemme know.. --Mike __________________ 63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's

02-22-2006, 03:44 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install The 200 4R is a direct replacement physicly.... IF you have the short shaft Th350. I highly recomend some sort of automatic lock up control, running with it unlocked will damage the converter and tranny due to excesive slippage. I would also recomend getting a kit for what ever kind of carb you have, and setting the TV cable with the tranny pressure guage. If it is not dead on, your tranny will seff destruct in 20,000 miles or less, pretty much guranted.

02-22-2006, 03:54 PM	#4
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install Longhornman is dead on correct. You can get both kits he is describing from a company called bowtie overdrives Go to BOWTIEOVERDRIVES.COM for more info. You can get both kits for around $75 each. I'll be ordering mine in the next month or so. Make sure you get the lock-up kit with the brake switch. Nothing worse than going down the interstate, slamming on your brakes, and your truck stalls because the converter didn't unlock. Very dangerous. __________________ 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!

02-22-2006, 05:55 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install i ran a 2004R tranny without a lockup converter put 75K miles on it no problems // it was alot of hispeed longdistance hiway miles many of it towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads// was still very strong until the oak tree fell on the truck during a hurricane // just set it up with a wot adjustment no pressure gauges __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-22-2006, 08:20 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install cdowns, you got lucky on that. The bell crank diameter chainges the rate of pull on the TV cable, so if your carb isn't dead on right, you may not know it untill it is too late. Way too many people will tell you how theres shifted fine and all of a sudden, nothing. And 99% of them adjusted like sdowns did. The TV cable is more than a simple kick down cable like the old TH350 had, the TV cable controls the line pressure and the responsiveness of the pump output. As soon as you crack the throttle blades open, your line pressure must rise, otherwise, your tranny will starve for oil and will die in about 20,000 miles. The lock up kit isn't as important, however, an overdrive tranny by nature will slip more than a non overdrive, and one that is designed to lock up that fails to into lock up will slip even more on top of the previouse mentioned slipping. That is why 99.9% of your auto overdrives use lock up converters. It wasn't for CAFE requirements, not for gas guzzler tax, but to make the tranny last longer.

02-24-2006, 02:48 PM	#7
tonyj Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Lancaster, CA USA Posts: 70	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install I have a short shaft 400 in mine, is the conversion about the same for a 700R4??

02-27-2006, 12:24 PM	#9
JRB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 287	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install VetteVet, Thanks for that link, there is a ton of great information in there. JRB

03-03-2006, 12:23 PM	#10
Greubin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SJC Posts: 158	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install Great thread, I've been weighing my tranny options and leaning towards the 2004r as well. I'll be ordering mine from bowtieoverdrives Here's the parts list as I see it 2004r Level 1 TV system TCC wiring kit installers kit New torque converter - which one?? Now my only question at this point is the stall converter. Mines ok, but figured since I got it apart might as well replace the converter. Knowing nothing about converters, whats the best option, a HD 2200? __________________ ___________ Greubin '71 C20 custom - GM Crate 350CI/290HP, BTO 700R4 level II, Qjet, and HEI

03-03-2006, 09:00 PM	#11
JRB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 287	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install I hadn't even thought about a Stall Converter. I was just going to use the one that came with it. I am not building a race truck though. I havent heard too much about how stout these 200r4's are. Hope it can handle my 4:10 in the rear. JRB

03-04-2006, 06:33 AM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install The 200-4R handles the Buick GN's doing wheel stands. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-05-2006, 02:01 AM	#13
JRB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 287	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install Good Point Krue! I guess it should handle my half worn out 350 just fine. JRB

03-08-2006, 10:23 PM	#14
Greubin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SJC Posts: 158	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install I called Bowtie this past Monday to place an order, initially for a 2004r. After some discussion about my application with a technician, they suggested that I run with the 700R4 instead. I'm currently running a th350 w/ 4.10 rear and 29" tires. Bowtie said they would not warranty any damage that may occur if a 2004r was purchased for my application. I plan to haul a couple motorycles or tow a trailer in the future. S0, I have a 700R4 level 2 coming with all the necessary parts to go with it for the install. I'll have to shorten my driveline, but that's no big deal for the local shop to handle. Double check your application before buying the 2004r. Oh yeah - Speed Calculator Input values ie tire height, rear end ratio, etc and it will spit out the RPM at a given MPH. __________________ ___________ Greubin '71 C20 custom - GM Crate 350CI/290HP, BTO 700R4 level II, Qjet, and HEI Last edited by Greubin; 03-08-2006 at 10:39 PM.

03-08-2006, 11:12 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 200R4 Tranny Install It all depends on what builder you talk too, Art Carr woulda told you a million reasons to NOT use the 700.



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