How to identify my transmission?

[cornercase]

Hi everyone. I'm new to Suburbans, but I've been a long-time fan of them. I need to replace the transmission in my 1987 4x4 Suburban with the gas V8, and I was wondering how to identify which trans I have. I've looked around the forum and on Google but I have found some conflicting information regarding the years of production of each transmission. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for the help!

Eamon

 

[tRustyK5]

Look at the tranny pan, if it's square it's a 700R-4. Square with one corner knocked off its a TH350, vaguely shaped like Texas it's a TH400.

If you're rowing your own gears it's an SM 465.

Rene

 

[cabledawg]

If its stock and half ton then its a 700R4, 3/4 ton and its a 400 THM. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but by that year, GM only used these two auto trannies in the trucks. And like Rusty said; if it's a stick, its a SM465.

 

[abig84]

If its stock and half ton then its a 700R4, 3/4 ton and its a 400 THM. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but by that year, GM only used these two auto trannies in the trucks. And like Rusty said; if it's a stick, its a SM465.

you never know what anyone who owned the truck before put in there. almost every truck i ever got that was supposed to have the 700r4 someone put a th350 in

 

[k30bb468]

Here ya go just a few from "Google search"
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-transmission-identification.php

http://www.maliburacing.com/auto_tranny_id.htm

http://www.teufert.net/trans/trannyid.pdf

http://www.technicalvideos.com/identify_my_transmission.phtml

http://www.chevellepro.com/trans_id.htm

 

[Burbdood 74]

you never know what anyone who owned the truck before put in there. almost every truck i ever got that was supposed to have the 700r4 someone put a th350 in

Amen to that! I just bought a 1988 Suburban 1500 and the previous owner swapped in a TH350. It'd be nice to have OD on long trips, but I really like the TH350.

 

[cornercase]

Thank you all very much. I should be ordering the transmission soon and getting the beast back on the road.

Eamon