mad_burban
1/2 ton status
I have a question that ive been trying to anwser. I currently have a 700r4 in my 85 suburban mated to a 468ci. I do like the 700r4 but i was wondering how does it stand up to a sm420/465 on the trail? Any preferences?
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Sm465 Vs. 700r4?
- Thread starter mad_burban
- Start date
Randy92782
1 ton status
I'm not a huge trail rider but i do occasionally. From what i've seen alot of people here run automatics for the trails. It is just easier IMO too. No featherin the gas and clutch or burning of the clutch.
Myself i went from a 700r4 to a 465 and love it. Other then the transition from 2nd -3rd. plus i have bad luck with autos
It'll be a tossup between preferences but i'd go with a built auto. Maybe a 400
Myself i went from a 700r4 to a 465 and love it. Other then the transition from 2nd -3rd. plus i have bad luck with autos
It'll be a tossup between preferences but i'd go with a built auto. Maybe a 400
mad_burban
1/2 ton status
Why a built 400? I'm curious because i bought a 700 case and had it rebuilt and some upgrades put in. Granted it hasnt been installed yet but then again ill be hopefully picking my motor up tomarrow, but ive known full size blazers that where running 700's and had no problems vs the clutch burning up etc like you said.
Randy92782
1 ton status
I just prefer the 400's over everything else. Just my opinion. Built 700's are great too. Since you already got a 700 go with that. 
Like i said i have bad experiences with the 700's. Maybe the guy charged more and just didn't do it right? It lasted about 5 months and went out. He said it shoulda lasted but it DID have a 6 month warranty.
Mildly built with the corvette servo and some other doo dads that i have no idea what they do
Like i said i have bad experiences with the 700's. Maybe the guy charged more and just didn't do it right? It lasted about 5 months and went out. He said it shoulda lasted but it DID have a 6 month warranty.
Mildly built with the corvette servo and some other doo dads that i have no idea what they do
MTMike
1/2 ton status
I just got done pulling a built TH400 out and replacing it with an SM465/203/205. In fact, it moved under it's own power for the first time this evening. It is a completely different truck. I can't wait to wheel it!
I've wheeled my buddy's rig with 465/203/205 and there's just no comparison. It is a little harder to drive a manual on the trail, but it's so much more fun! You're actually driving it, not just steering it.
So my vote is 465 all the way. They're stout as can be and can be found dirt cheap just about anywhere.
I've wheeled my buddy's rig with 465/203/205 and there's just no comparison. It is a little harder to drive a manual on the trail, but it's so much more fun! You're actually driving it, not just steering it.
So my vote is 465 all the way. They're stout as can be and can be found dirt cheap just about anywhere.
blazin' j
1/2 ton status
im an auto man myself but i'll agree with the majority here so far...465 will probably last longer and be stronger...and yes its more like driving when ur offroad but there is that slight loss of momentum when/if u have to shift...
1973blazer
Newbie
Depends on what your going to be doing. The sm465/np205 is one of the most dependable 4x4 combinations ever made. If I were going to do a mod I'd try a nv4500/np205 which would give you an overdrive. However, I have never been an automatic fan. Was saved more times than I care to think about in the rockies when I was able to bump-start my Blazer.
blazin' j
1/2 ton status
ah yes...the ole bump start 
...used that many a times n other vehicles...
...used that many a times n other vehicles...
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
I ditched the 700's in both Burbs for 465's. Never had a problem since.
There are really two questions.
1. Do you prefer and auto or a manual transmission off-road.
This is all a matter of personal preference. I really like autos off-road, but you have to make sure you are comparing apples to apples in regards to the overall gearing when comparing them. A friend of mine isn't too keen on the auto in his truck, but he has a measly 19:1 crawl ratio with 42's. I have a 34:1 ratio, and we both have the same axle gears, with 40's and it's dramatically different/better on the trail. I'm also not saying its bad by any means, but I see a post above here saying how their SM465 and double (203/205) combination is so much better than a TH400....did they just have a TH400 to a NP205 before? If that is the case that is far from comparing apples to apples.
2. Would you use a 700r4 behind a, presumably, well built big-block in a Suburban?
Even being a big 700r4 fan I'm not sure if I would use a 700r4 in this setup. I would probably suggest comparing the SM465 to a TH400 swap in this instance, or a 4L80E.
1. Do you prefer and auto or a manual transmission off-road.
This is all a matter of personal preference. I really like autos off-road, but you have to make sure you are comparing apples to apples in regards to the overall gearing when comparing them. A friend of mine isn't too keen on the auto in his truck, but he has a measly 19:1 crawl ratio with 42's. I have a 34:1 ratio, and we both have the same axle gears, with 40's and it's dramatically different/better on the trail. I'm also not saying its bad by any means, but I see a post above here saying how their SM465 and double (203/205) combination is so much better than a TH400....did they just have a TH400 to a NP205 before? If that is the case that is far from comparing apples to apples.
2. Would you use a 700r4 behind a, presumably, well built big-block in a Suburban?
Even being a big 700r4 fan I'm not sure if I would use a 700r4 in this setup. I would probably suggest comparing the SM465 to a TH400 swap in this instance, or a 4L80E.
What kind of offroading do you do? Mud? Rocks? or just plain trail riding?
Are you going to tow with this rig? HP of the 468? Those are questions to need to be answered before making a decision.
Personally I like automatic tranies like the 700r and th350 for offroading..
The 85' 700r probably won't last...88-91 700r's are the cores to build.
Are you going to tow with this rig? HP of the 468? Those are questions to need to be answered before making a decision.
Personally I like automatic tranies like the 700r and th350 for offroading..
The 85' 700r probably won't last...88-91 700r's are the cores to build.
I prefer automatics but I do very little rock climbing, lots of desert. The THM400 is strong and easy/cheap to build. The 700R4 is difficult/expensive to get one one right. the 4L80 is stonger than the 700R4 but is expensive.
You might check out Bowtie Overdrives on the net to get an idea of how much it will cost for a good rebuilt 700r4.
You might check out Bowtie Overdrives on the net to get an idea of how much it will cost for a good rebuilt 700r4.
mad_burban
1/2 ton status
Well right now the 468 after im done with it should be pushing 425 or more horses with around 500ft/lbs (rough estimate) i had a 350 in it, blew it and bought and rebuilt a 700r4 (not installed). As far as driving it, i love manuels as i prefer to be in total control. Guess you could say im a newbie but ive never been on a persay "trail" other than the videos i posted of where i play at. I run it it in the mud, sand, hills pretty much everything with the ultimate goal of being able to take it anywhere any trail. The biggest hangup right now is trying to find everything to make the swap, pedals, clutch cylinder, etc etc. But if it performs better on the trail than an auto ill go that route. It can be driven on the street and i have done it but eventually it will be trailer rig as it probably wont be street legal.
MaxPF
1/2 ton status
If you have 500lb-ft, and your two tranny options are a 700 or a 465, then the 465 is the obvious choice. The 700 is a good tranny, but 500lb-ft and a heavy truck is asking too much from it.
MaxPF
1/2 ton status
I agree... unless the stick has a crawler box. Then it's a wash...
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
Unless you are willing to drop $2K+ on a max built 700R4 a 468 is probably gonna annihilate that 700R4 in short order. Even a built 700R4 is not the best choice for a big power motor. If you want an auto get a TH400 or a 4L80E. If you want a manual get a 465. Autos are easier to rockcrawl from a control standpoint but if you have low gearing and are good with a clutch a manual preforms well on the rocks also.
Harley
Harley
