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700R4 Rebuild or buy new?

stallion85

stallion85

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I just got an 86 with a 700R4, but I do not know the condition of the tranny since the engine is blown.

I shifted through the gears and it seems to clunk a lot (whatever that means). I have a SM465 in my 85 so I have no experience with autos.

I was looking on Jegs and I could get a TH400 for like $1300!

A rebuild on the 700R4 if it does turn out to be bad would probably cost about the same I think?

What would you guys do?

If I did get a TH400 would I have to change the column shifter?

Or should I just get the 700R4 since it will be a DD and trail rig?

I am open for discussion, sitting here at work for 9 more hours :D
 
I say build the 700 right and you won't regret it. If it's going to be a DD, OD will be nice. For the trail, the deeper first will be cool too. I don't know what your wheelbase will be set at but the 400 is a couple inches or so longer too.

A 400 will always be stronger but a 700 that's built properly can stand up to some impressive stuff.
 
I have read a lot of good things about TCI and would presume it would be well built, at least better than stock :wink1:
 
Not really helping your decision any but a little piece of info...a guy in our club runs a YJ with a 700 behind a 5.3 vortec on 37's and rips the piss out of it. It was rebuilt by a friend of his with all the heavy duty goodies but I don't know specifics. This is his fourth season with this setup and he's never had any problems. Doesn't sound like much but going 4 seasons with that guy's right foot is a testament to durability.
 
Z3PR said:
Stock 700r4's aren't the greatest, but I'd think long and hard about this one before giving up that overdrive.
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That's some bold claims at a good price. Anyone used them? I've just bought all the TCI parts to rebuild mine and I'm heading up to that cost already!
 
I paid about $1300 for a full rebuild on my 700. I took it to a local shop. They put in all the good parts and gave me a 12 mos/12,000 mile warranty. So far its doing its job great.
This is the second 700 I've had rebuilt. The first was a little bit cheaper if I remember right, but that was back in 88.
 
K5Steve said:
I just paid $2,900 for my 700r4 and tcase rebuild.I know have a shift kit,some corvette internals.
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Yikes! ($2,900) Just curious, why wouldn't you just buy an aftermarket 700R4 from a reputable company at half the cost?
 
Here is my take. I wouldn't spend a dime a 700R4. Find a NP208 version TH400 and the Np208 adapter. Swap the 208 tcase's input gear to the 32 spline or get the whole case and swap it all in.

The tranny isn't an OD but it is alot stronger and lot cheaper to rebuild. I have a TH400/NP208 adapter/NP208 sitting in my garage right now waiting on my 6th 700R4 to die. Then the TH400 will be rebuilt and swapped in.

I will install a floor shifter at the same time since my linkages are messed up in the column and the rest will just fit right in place. GM used different length adapter on the tranny/tcase combo's to make the drivetrains the same length so they didn't need different length driveshafts for all the different trucks.

The TH350/208, 465/208, 700R4/208, and TH400/208 are all the same length overall because of the adapter lengths.

Harley
 
Here's another, TH350 with the full TCI master kit + using the Ron Sessions book, Advance Adapters' adapter to the stock NP208 (1985 so the tranny was 700R4). Also put in a Hurst Promatic2 (floor). So, half asleep going to work in Drive, slightly firm shift. Step on it, firm shift. Pass, OffRoad, shift just like manual only no clutch, kinda like clutchless shift on a jap bike.:D
 
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stallion85 said:
Yikes! ($2,900) Just curious, why wouldn't you just buy an aftermarket 700R4 from a reputable company at half the cost?
Click to expand...
A lot of it was labor pulling and installing.The t case was 450 alone.I had no time,my 91 runners engine pretty much died and I needed the K5 asap.Trust me,I hate myself for it.
 
I would go with the 700r4. 6 months ago I looked into all the 700r4s on the market to handel the torque of a big block. I needed one to go behind a 454ss motor. I went with a 7004r from Mad dog Trans. I got there GodFather Trans for 1500 shipped to me with converter they also give you a 1 year unlimited miles. You can find them on ebay or give them a call 727) 943-7742. I have had no problems with it. My k5 is has an 8 in lift with 3 body on 36s.
 
I have been looking at the B&M floor shifters. Alot of the guys I wheeled with in AZ ran them and they did pretty well. If I had the money I would get an Art Carr but they are a little $$$.

I believe the shifter that lot of the guys in AZ ran was the Z-Gate and other similar models.

For the price of a profesionally rebuilt 700R4 you can get the Th400 and all parts for the swap done with the floor shifter paided for and probably still save a little cash.

I paid $1600 for my last 700R4 to be professionally rebuilt and installed. I would have done the install myself but it was 115* in Phoenix and I wasn't going to do another 700R4 swap in my driveway in that weather. I did it once and it was miserable.

Unless you REALLY need the OD then I would dump the 700R4 and be done with that headache now. It will just piss you off when it goes out down the road and you will think why the hell didnt I just swap it out.

Harley
 
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