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700R4 Rebuild Requests?

V

VegasAR15

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I have had a feeling my tranny was going for about the past two weeks, and I was planning on getting it checked out next week. Yesteryday the tranny beat me to the punch and took a crap. It starts in second gear, stays in second gear and slips horribly while its there. Luckily my parent's house was pretty close by where it happened, and their house was down hill from where I was, so I managed to limp it there.

This morning I will be calling around and getting quotes, and hopefully dropping it off today. Is there anything I should request be done to it? It is an '85 with the 6.2 diesel, 4" lift, 33" tires, and 3.42 gears, and I will be doing some mild towing of a 12x6 enclosed trailer. I know that the it uses a lower stall speed converter. I was also planning on putting a shift kit on it. Is there anything in particular that I should request on the rebuild to make it a better, stronger tranny?

Yesterday I called about eight shops, whos numbers I had written down earlier in the day, since I was planning on having it checked out anyways. Only one of them was open, they quoted me $1180 plus tax, for the rebuild, shift kit and install. They also told me they put in some heavier duty parts and beef it up a bit. They said it would only be $100 cheaper if I pulled the tranny and brought it to them.
 
That seems pretty inexpensive for a complete job using top quality heavy duty parts. If you plan to keep and use this vehicle shop by reputation and warranty and not by price. Contact local off road shops and ask for referals in your area to find the most experienced and qualified builder to help you obtain your goals.
 
Greg Ducato said:
That seems pretty inexpensive for a complete job using top quality heavy duty parts. If you plan to keep and use this vehicle shop by reputation and warranty and not by price. Contact local off road shops and ask for referals in your area to find the most experienced and qualified builder to help you obtain your goals.
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I am definitely going for quality. I have one shop that I prefer that I have used before, and one shop that my mechanic buddy that has been working on the truck with me prefers, I'll probably be going with one of them. Luckily there are a plethora of tranny shops in town, so I assume they have to keep their pricing pretty competetive.

The last time I had a tranny rebuilt was about eight years ago on a TH350 for my old Blazer, I think it was about 400-450 with me pulling it out and bringing them the tranny, with a new torque converter and a shift kit installed.

Are there any parts on these 700R4's in particular that can be replaced with better parts that will make a stronger tranny? Even parts that aren't necessarily parts normally replaced in a normal rebuild.
 
You don't want your tranny rebuilt. You will want to use it as a core, and get a 1987 and later transmission. They are an upgraded transmission.

Martin
 
82355 said:
You don't want your tranny rebuilt. You will want to use it as a core, and get a 1987 and later transmission. They are an upgraded transmission.

Martin
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If I am putting heavier duty parts in there, is it really necessary to buy an 87 and later one? What are the differences between an 87 and one made earlier? If it is just internal stuff, can't I have them just put in better parts? I am not looking for a rebuild in stock configuration. I just don't want to risk buying one and giving mine in as a core, and getting some piece of crap that was built in Mexico, and isn't any stronger than a stock one.
 
The 1987 and later already has many parts you will need to upgrade including front and rear sprag designs, better pump and lube system too. I would opt for a better reaction sun shell, and probably a Corvette style servo along with the dual cage 29 element input sprag, a high quality band and clutch kit, extra clutch in the 3-4 pack, larger tv boost valve and pressure regulator spring would be a good place to start. A hard shift is not really desired, shoot for stock accumulator springs so as not to bang away at the driveline every time the trans shifts. A good clean positive shift is desireable, stay away from the race parts and concentrate on durability and longevity
 
One BIG difference is the lack of the auxiliary valve body. I'm in the middle of the same job as you and found this out. Like you I'm wondering whether my 83 700r is worth the trouble to rebuild even though I bought it new a few years ago.
 
A late core is so inexpensive it just doesn't pay to start with an early model for a heavier duty build.
 
I just got off the phone with the guy that my mechanic buddy recommends. $850 with me pulling the tranny out, 3-4 alto clutches, kevlar bands, corvette servos, and a mild shift kit.
 
Greg Ducato said:
A late core is so inexpensive it just doesn't pay to start with an early model for a heavier duty build.
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Where would I get a late model core? A junkyard, the problem is I am in a bit of a hurry with it, I want to get the tranny to them today or tomorrow. What is inexpensive?
 
I would estimate a cost of $150 or less from most core suppliers which is what we are paying in our area. Do a search for core suppliers in your area or ask your favorite transmission shop.
 
Or ask a buddy. I keep blown 1987+ TH700R4's for cores when I strip pickups. I would imagine you would have a friend with one? I send 1986 and earlier TH700R4's to iron. They are not worth fixing. Other than that, do exactly as Greg Ducato recommended.

Martin
 
82355 said:
Or ask a buddy. I keep blown 1987+ TH700R4's for cores when I strip pickups. I would imagine you would have a friend with one? I send 1986 and earlier TH700R4's to iron. They are not worth fixing. Other than that, do exactly as Greg Ducato recommended.

Martin
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I am going to call one of the bigger local pick a parts in a couple minutes. To ask them as simply as possible, what exactly am I looking for? A 700R4 4x4, 87-to what? Was there a certain year that they put electronics on the 700, or did they just rename it something different at that point. I was looking on there websites and it looked like there were some with auxiliary valve bodies, and some without, I want with? Anything else to ask?
Thanks guys
 
When they change to electronic they are renamed 4L60E. Another name for a TH700R4 is 4L60 though, so don't be scared of that. Just make sure it isn't an "E". You want the auxiliary valve body. They were used from 1987 into the mid '90s depending on the application. You want one from a 4x4 pickup.

Martin
 
Just called the pick a part and they don't have anything like that pulled, but there is probably one out in the yard, I would just have to find it and pull it off myself. I am going to call the guy that I am having rebuild it and see if he has one, or if he knows a good place to get one.
 
This trans is 4x4 only, 1987 to 1992, if you are using this in a diesel then swap the governor from the original trans and make sure you use a diesel torque converter as the gas engine has a higher stall speed and weaker damper. Nearly all diesel converters save for a very few 1991-1992 models were 6 lug like your original. The pump casting number should end in "732" and there is a casting seam in the case that runs over the top of the cooler line fitting area like a rainbow. These are the easiest ways to id a 1987 and later if it is removed from the vehicle.
 
Well I just called around to the salvage yards and they don't have one pulled. Haven't been able to find a core supply company in town. There is one on Craigslist, but it was posted two months ago and doesn't show the yet, and he didn't answer his phone. It seems I am left with rebuilding mine or finding one on a truck in the junkyard and pulling it.
 
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