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sm465 or th400 And a poll!

sm465 or th400?

  • Total voters
    94
On the whole compression braking issue: On another forum that I visit occasionally when I have questions about my daily driver Cherokee, they have talked about wiring the lock-up torque converter to a toggle switch and using that (in conjuction with a full manual valve body) to achieve compression braking. The converter locks up automatically in OD under certain conditions, but this way you can lock it up in 1st gear. Of course if you forget and leave it locked the engine will die if you come to a stop but it sounds like it would work. Of course XJ's come with a lock-up torque converter. Can a lock-up converter be purchased for the TH400 to rig up the same kind of deal? Just a thought, I haven't seen it done in person, just read about it on the net, but it sounds logical.
 
I don't think they make a lock-up converter for the 400, but I could be wrong.
 
no lockup...

As far as I know,the TH400 was never offered with a lock up converter...the TH350 "C" tranny has a lockup converter,and TH400 and TH350 converters are interchangeable--BUT it wont work in a TH400,because there is no solenoid, or passage in the valve body to allow the fluid pressure to engauge the lock up clutch..not sure if it could be made to work though..Lock up torque converters dont like lots of torque or high HP though..they fail on street driven vehicles quite often..

700R4's have a lock up converter,I'm not sure about the 4L60 and 4L80 trannys(never messed with either of those yet)..

I prefer an automatic trannt for off road, or for plowing..I like having both hands on the wheel,or one free to work the plow,etc..and the automatic gives an advantage in torque multiplication thanks to the torque converter..

As an example,if you chained your truck to a big heavy object,like a train on tracks,you'd have a much easier time moving it with an automatic than a manual tranny..sure,granny low WILL move it--but you'd have to wind the motor up and dump the clutch..not very good for the drivetrain!--there is no "shock" load like that in an automatic...

I have owned a few SM465 equipped K trucks,and the granny low is awesome..but I hated the wide jump between 2nd and 3rd,and I had the misfortune of wiping out a few 10 spline couplers,and I tired of listening to them rattle constantly on the highway..I had to replace 3 clutches in rapid succession too,and I hated shifting constanly in heavy traffic here too..if I lived out west where 90% of my driving was highway,in 4th gear all the time,then a 4 spd wouldn't bother me at all..:crazy:
 
walla2k5 said:
Manuals are awesome....Nuff said.
Click to expand...

i swapped for a manual about 4-5 months ago i love it, the heck with a auto. have'nt had a chance to offroad it much yet but, but what i have im very happy with it. :D
 
diesel4me said:
As an example,if you chained your truck to a big heavy object,like a train on tracks,you'd have a much easier time moving it with an automatic than a manual tranny..sure,granny low WILL move it--but you'd have to wind the motor up and dump the clutch..not very good for the drivetrain!--there is no "shock" load like that in an automatic...

I have owned a few SM465 equipped K trucks,and the granny low is awesome..but I hated the wide jump between 2nd and 3rd,and I had the misfortune of wiping out a few 10 spline couplers,and I tired of listening to them rattle constantly on the highway..I had to replace 3 clutches in rapid succession too,and I hated shifting constanly in heavy traffic here too..if I lived out west where 90% of my driving was highway,in 4th gear all the time,then a 4 spd wouldn't bother me at all..:crazy:
Click to expand...

I have been DDing my truck since about 2 years ago and never had to replace any transmition related component. It has been a greatly reliable setup for me.

Trying to move a train? You are going to be straining the engine either way. You can usually just ride the clutch until you have enough foward speed to get off it. I'd rather smell burnt clutch than burnt slush box. The granny gear will move anything not bolted to the ground and some stuff that is. :p:

On the highway it doesn't matter much because neither tranny has overdrive so you would just be roaring regardless.

I only dump the clutch when I am trying to do burn outs or trying to fling mud everwhere. :D
 
Here is my 2 cents...

I had a TH400 and went to a SM465 with manual linkage. I love the 465 and have no intentions of going back, but it is more work...as someone mentioned earlier in sand or mud, better have some torque to start in 3rd gear and use it as one long gear, because speed shifting is out. Now in rocks etc and trying to go slow...I can crawl down stuff just ideling (http://media.putfile.com/Down-84), it is almost boring...like driving a tractor (not knocking tractor's).

On another post some wrote they felt like they were mroe involved in the driving process. I agree with that statemetn 100%, my truck took on a whole new dimension with a clutch...Also, I don't drive it everyday or it might get tedious...
 
noahrob said:
Here is my 2 cents...

I had a TH400 and went to a SM465 with manual linkage. I love the 465 and have no intentions of going back, but it is more work...as someone mentioned earlier in sand or mud, better have some torque to start in 3rd gear and use it as one long gear, because speed shifting is out.
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I shift in mud.. no biggie.... the way I look at it is when you hit the mud.... you are revved... clutch in and bang the gear and drop the clutch.... I only go from L to 1 as 2nd (3rd I think is what your calling it) just dont got the power..... even if I tried starting in it and got it moving... would suck cuz there aint alot of power there.....

although I have bounced the tach a few times hitting holes in 2nd (low range).....

I just did a cam, heads, intake, accessories to the Holley TA so not sure if I can do all this stuff in high range yet .....


I too dont dd my truck so yeah dont mind the shifting when I have to.. although something to look at is if you have a mechanical or hydro setup... the hydro setup is waaay easier on the leg.... :wink1:
 
RootBreaker said:
I shift in mud.. no biggie.... the way I look at it is when you hit the mud.... you are revved... clutch in and bang the gear and drop the clutch.... I only go from L to 1 as 2nd (3rd I think is what your calling it) just dont got the power..... even if I tried starting in it and got it moving... would suck cuz there aint alot of power there.....

although I have bounced the tach a few times hitting holes in 2nd (low range).....

I just did a cam, heads, intake, accessories to the Holley TA so not sure if I can do all this stuff in high range yet .....


I too dont dd my truck so yeah dont mind the shifting when I have to.. although something to look at is if you have a mechanical or hydro setup... the hydro setup is waaay easier on the leg.... :wink1:
Click to expand...

Come on I can start my 305 in 3rd (or 2nd as you put it). I have to stay on the clutch a little longer but I can still do it just fine.

Yeah I realized that my 305 has decent power. I am pleased with its output.
 
Chevy305 said:
Come on I can start my 305 in 3rd (or 2nd as you put it). I have to stay on the clutch a little longer but I can still do it just fine.

Yeah I realized that my 305 has decent power. I am pleased with its output.
Click to expand...


well to be honest I havent tried it... on flat pavement i am sure it will work.. but there is thick goo where I had to tach my truck up in granny gear.... then slam shift into first..... and I figured if I threw it into 2nd it would bogg.. Ill have to try next time.....


I used to have 195hp/295lb ft torque...
now with the new comp cams xtreme 4x4 cam, vortec heads, vortec intake and bigger squirters and bigger acc pump cam for the truck avenger... I have ALOT MORE POWER!!!!! so I havent had the truck out since I did the motor mods...

wife is 4 weeks from being due.... so truck aint going anywhere soon... need to be around for her... and after the birth.... I need to stick around to "HELP" so truck aint going out for about 2 more months. :doah:
 
ya, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a th400, just for the ease of it all. Actually, if I don't hear back from my friend with the 400 I might go with the 465 if it's cheaper, but I doubt it. I'm fond of auto's, and haven't had any problems with them (except descending hills can be a b*tch). In the future I might go manual, but for what I'm going to be manily using it for I think an auto would be better. But if I got a killer deal on a 465/205 combo...
 
Kyle Strong said:
But if I got a killer deal on a 465/205 combo...
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dont know about your area but killer deals are all over..

I just sold

smc465 matted to a np205
support member (HHEE HEE HE SAID MEMBER :haha:)

2 flywheels
clutch
pressure plate
mechanical bellhousing
mech clutch rod
new mech clutch fork
z bar
pedal assembly...

all for $150.....
 
RootBreaker said:
dont know about your area but killer deals are all over..

I just sold

smc465 matted to a np205
support member (HHEE HEE HE SAID MEMBER :haha:)

2 flywheels
clutch
pressure plate
mechanical bellhousing
mech clutch rod
new mech clutch fork
z bar
pedal assembly...

all for $150.....
Click to expand...

hmm...Dunno. :thinking: I'll wait 'till I get the bill from the electrician's tomorrow :eek1:
 
I ran 465's in a couple K5s and even a Jeep(:crazy: ) and I loved them but my last rig I went with a th400 and ORD doubler.

I feel that a properly built auto is the way to go.. but a stick was much fun!

The one downfall is the shock a manual trans puts through the drive-train under "extreme" driving situations.

Jeff
 
I change my mind..... go with the stick....and sell me that no good 400/205 combo...there almost impossible to get rid of...:p:
 
i love my sm465, the only auto i have is in my project 77 blazer, it needs a x-case!!! my sm465 is a good street driver and an awsome wheeler 2!!!!!! i grew up with a manual and auto is funky 2 drive, it BOOORING!!!! my truck is gonna be my DD for sure!!!!!
 
So I know what I need for a manual conversion, but is there anything I need if I drop in a 400? Shouldn't it be a direct swap, or do I need a new torque converter or something?
 
If I get a 400 it'll be with the 205 attached, so the adapter's no problem, and neither will the crossmember. So I need a new tc...flexplate too?
 
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