trans options 454 c30

[bns454]

im after some advice on which trans to go with when I bought my 86 cc dualy it was fitted with a 200r4 that was missing 2nd gear in 4th its ratios seem perfict for the use my truck gets (mostley 75mph freeway use @1000rpm)
I pulled the trans and fitted a t400 that I had spare now the truck is at 3000 in top and the 454 wont live long term at that
the truck will be mostley used empty but maybe 3 times a year pulling a small speed boat. the options I have are to get the 200r4 repaired, fit a t700 (that I have already) or a 460le with a controller the truck is an 86 and came with a factory 4 speed auto
I have everything to refit the 200r4 and there is factory wiring for a 700 I assume still under the truck plugged into some boxes screwed to firewall (cruise control related maybe?) my main priority is to get the truck idleing at 75mph again the truck has 4.56 gears according to the spid

[donut]

Are you sure it came with a factory 4 speed auto? (or upon re-reading, maybe the donor truck?)
Maybe overseas it was different, but my '86 single cab was a tbh 400 and 4.10 gears. To my limited knowledge, the only 4 speed auto offered behind a 454 was the 4l80(e) and that was in later years.

Have you thought about keeping the t400 and maybe going with a rear gear change? 1000 rpm cruise seems rather low, as I seem to have better efficiency 2000+ rpm cruise.

Maybe one of the experts will chime in as most have forgotten more than I'll ever know about these trucks.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Which engine do you have?

The 200R4 is a good tranny, but not up to crew cab standards if its worked. If it lasted you long enough a T700r4 would be fine, but I would build them up with better clutches at least. I am not much of a tranny guy as I throw money at them, and keep out of it. If it has a 454 I would not look at anything besides a 4L80E.

I love crew cab dually's for no reason, and do not need one at all. Although I constantly look for one. If I buy one I would swap in a decent Vortec 350 maybe 383 with a built 4L65E. So I can drive it around at decent mpg for it size, and still have enough to tow a small trailer I would like to own some day.

[MTCK]

I believe the 200r4 overdrive ratio is 0.67:1, 700r4 is 0.7 and 4L80e is 0.75. So you will see RPMs drop to 2000-2250 vs the 3000 you are seeing now at the same speed. I'd go for a 4l80e as it can live behind the big block in stock form.

[1969x11]

4l80e and never look back. I wouldnt waste my money on any of the other Car transmissions. Sure the can be Built to hold decent power but the 80e will hold the same power in stock form. An 80e with dual fed direct clutches and some sonnax parts will hold 7-800hp.

[andrewmp6]

The 200r4 was always used in cars never seen one used in a pickup stock yet.Like said spend your money on a 4l80e and be set for a long time on a good trans.

[bns454]

thanks for the input the 4l80e is not an easy to come by box over here.
the onley real choice I have are 4l60e,700r4 or any of the modern 4 speed autos that you would find in an ls powered gto (Monaro)or I think your current cop cars are what we know as vf commodores but I have heard that the ls boxes don't mate up to old chev pattern blocks (missing bolt holes?)
after looking at my spid the truck came with a 3 speed auto and 454 but the dash has the overdrive selector window and on installing t400 I could not get the letters to line up correctly.
I can onley assume it was swapped in when the 200r4 was installed in the states
I have considered a rear end swap but small dually diffs are selling for about $2500 second hand over here and the wide version as fitted to mine are over $3000 if you can find 1
reco t700s are about $700 otherwise I have to gamble on a imported no warranty junkyard sourced truck box for around $2000 that I will have to have recoed

[bns454]

alternately a mate imported a 460 4x4 motor and box for his f 100 and it came with a gear vendors overdrive the overdrive would not fit his chassis so the unit was removed and I can get it for next to nothing I assume I would have to buy the correct adaptor for the t400 has anyone attemted this swap or is it even possible?

[willett]

What about putting an OD box behind the 400?

[MTCK]

^^^^^^^ Yes, this. 6 speed.

[1969x11]

Keep in mind the 80e was introduced in 1991 and put under a whole bunch of different heavy duty GM trucks. Keep your eyes peeled and you will find one.

[andrewmp6]

You could use a 700r4 but i would think hard on having it upgraded some for piece of mind.