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700r4 - starting in 2nd gear

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6.2Blazer

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Currently having my 700r4 rebuilt. The only performance change I would like to have is the ability to put the shifter in "2" and the trans takes off from a stop in second gear, and stays there. This would be nice on the trail when in 4 low and you need more wheelspeed than 1st. It always takes off in 1st and you can get to upshift into 2nd pretty quick when in low range, but you still need at least a little run at the obstacle. If you get stopped in the middle of a slick hill and have to back up a little you really can't do that and are stuck in 1st. Also, when you do get it in 2nd while climbing a hill or something it will want to downshift if you lug it too much.

Anybody have any advice on how to possible set this up?

I know you can do a manual valvebody but that is over $300 plus you really need a shifter (OEM column shift with a manual valvebody sucks), so you are close to adding 50% to the cost of the rebuild right there.

Been doing some research on shift kits but haven't found any that clearly state you can set them up this way. It's not that uncommon as the old Ford C6 and C4's will do this, along with the 4L80E in my 2500HD and the wife's Honday minivan.
 
I dont know if its possible,if the tranny will allow it,maybe some "trick" valve body thats not "manual" but will allow a second gear take off ,yet still shifts automatically is available or can be made up...some tranny guru has probably done it..(remember the old "his & hers" shifters on some old Pontiacs GM had?..)

I was surprised to find out my Ford Contour has the "second gear start" feature when I read the owners manual!...tried it and it works too,it helps keep you from lurching ahead in bumper to bumper traffic,first gear is pretty low and with 3.77 axle ratio and a 170 hp V6,it tends to take off a bit too quickly sometimes if your not careful on the gas!..they say to use it in icy or poor traction conditions in the manual..
 
1-2-3-OD.... Holds 1, 2, or 3 as long as you don't shift, OD is normal automatic shifts.
Start in any gear, hold to any rpm, back shift at any rpm.

My TH400 is modified for 1-2-D (3-speed tranny).
Holds the gear until you shift...

I had to modify my valve body, shift pistons, and valve plate.
But, I think 700R's have a kit.

Let me google it.
 
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The part number for the kit is SM465.



:D


Just in to see if somebody knows of a way, because it sounds pretty interesting. Curious if valves are possible to ignore governor and line pressure in 2, but still use them in D.
 
The only way to get it to quickly upshift from first to second would be to use a very light shift spring in the 1-2 shift valve that governor pressure would quickly overcome. This would still allow you to hold first gear manually if you wanted an extended 1-2 shift but otherwise it would dump off into second in the first 10 feet. Since there are more than a few 1-2 shift valve set ups in the 700R4 you will have to experiment but it could be done without affecting the other gear changes from 2-3 and 3-4. Of course you could always step up to a 4L60E and stand alone computer system but that is some pretty serious coin.
 
Went ahead and just had the shop do their standard rebuild. Just couldn't find anybody that knew how to do this...though did find quite a few posts stating their 700r4 would always start off in 2nd gear because of a problem (downside is you never had 1st!).

The shop was a very small place basically in the barn behind the guy's house. Has a very good reputation for performance rebuilds, everything from pulling tractors and trucks to street rods. Their comment on the '90 was you don't need a whole lot of upgrades. Called the Transgo tech line and they said the same thing. Upgraded sunshell and some boost valve work was basically it.
 
Maybe a TH350 would be better in first gear than the 700R4 in second?.

..oops,its already rebuilt...nevermind!..
 
Greg Ducato said:
The only way to get it to quickly upshift from first to second would be to use a very light shift spring in the 1-2 shift valve that governor pressure would quickly overcome. This would still allow you to hold first gear manually if you wanted an extended 1-2 shift but otherwise it would dump off into second in the first 10 feet. Since there are more than a few 1-2 shift valve set ups in the 700R4 you will have to experiment but it could be done without affecting the other gear changes from 2-3 and 3-4. Of course you could always step up to a 4L60E and stand alone computer system but that is some pretty serious coin.
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This would require manual shifting in High Range, since the 2nd gear start is only desired in Low Range. 1st gear already goes by really fast in Low, but part of the annoyance is how hard the shifts feel in Low. I think that's part of what the OP is trying to solve.

It seems like the only way would be a cleverly retrofitted solenoid to something on the 1-2 shift circuit - controlled by the transfer case switch.

But you're absolutely right. If somebody really wants to tune a transmission, swapping to a solenoid controlled unit may be faster and cheaper overall than trial and error hydraulic brain surgery.
 
Or you could just give up and buy a Ford...........:whistle::D


I have no idea why, but starting off in whatever gear the shifter was set in has been standard on Fords for as long as I can remember.

I wonder if Advance Adapters makes an adapter to go from 700R4 to C6....
 
OK, historically Ford transmissions did this, but I wouldn't swap to crummy ratios and no OD to gain 2nd gear starts!

C-6: 1st=2.46, 2nd=1.46, 3rd=1.00, r=2.18
700: 1st=3.06, 2nd=1.63, 3rd=1.00, 4th=0.70, and 2.29

The 700 would probably benefit more, since 1st gear is so low.
 
The first gear ratio is exactly why I decided not to swap to a TH350 or TH400. Going to one of those in place of the 700r4 is basically the same difference as 4.10 vs. 5.13 axle gears and I don't want to lose the current 1st gear crawl ratio.

It's not the harsh 1-2 upshift in low range that is the issue, just the simple fact it would be nice to start in 2nd for the wheelspeed in some circumstances. This is not an uncommon thing as a lot of transmissions have this capability, especially newer ones. As mentioned C4 and C6's can do it, along with the 4L80E in my 2500HD and the trans in the wife's minivan.
 
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