Towing with 700r4

[K85 Octane]

Hey folks,

I have a 400sb going in front of a 700r4. I'm looking to beef up the tranny to hold the extra power. I'm also going to tow with it. Maybe 14-16' box trailer or something. Probably build it into a towhauler with amenities of sorts.

What do you think? Is it possible to keep it alive? Or are there better options that WONT break the bank?

400sb
4.56 gears
14bff
35-37" tires

Or is towing out of the question with a 700? Can it even live without towing? It will be my toy, not my DD, but I just might drive it to who-knows-where and don't want any problems.

Thanks!!

 

[Greg Ducato]

The 700 can be built to handle this kind of use, though I would not suggest towing in overdrive.

 

[K85 Octane]

No, no towing in OD for sure. Can anyone elaborate on what should be done. I've read about larger coolers, 9 clutches, servos, shift kits, etc. I don't understand what I'm reading most of the time though, or what is really necessary and what is just "personal preference" upgrading.

Really curious, not just thinking about it, I AM doing it. I will have the trans gone through as soon as the motor is finished. ~2 weeks maybe

and thanks for the reply

 

[kevin400ex]

are you building it yourself? if not talk to the guys over at toyshop transmissions, or chino hills transmissions. they build alot of performance stuff.

 

[K5er4Life]

You can absolutely pull that off with a 700. Your headed in the right direction, gearing will be the most important factor into determing how long that tranny lives. I would do 4.56 at a minimum with 35's, I would consider going even deeper in the gears if you go 37's.

Theres alot of things that can be done to those 700's to help them live. Obviously towing without od is a must, but you know that. A LARGE tranny cooler, corvette servos, 9 pack clutches, kevlar bands, 10 vane pump, upgraded sprag, shift kit. Whats considered "necessary" and what you want to spend will need to be balanced out. At a minimum I would want a decent shift kit, cooler, a decent torque convertor, and a deep pan. We used to tow a 4000 lb. boat all the time behind a stock 700 and with a cooler and right gearing we never had a problem.

A good shop can help for sure, a properly built 700 would live a long time. Oh and I would put in a temp gauge so you can monitor whats going on in there.

 

[K5er4Life]

Try these people out, for many years these guys were considered the authority for all things 700. They really know there stuff and have good service. Theyre located in heperia. Give them a call, tell them what your running and if nothing else theyll tell you what you should put in it to keep it alive.

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

 

[K85 Octane]

nice
got a gauge already
got 4.56s, might spring for 4.88 while the others are still new, dunno
no OD for towing
Not using the lock up anymore, I'm going computerless, need different TC

And when I say necessary, I mean a lot of people do mods that they like, but aren't really beneficial to the cause........more just for personal "I like this" mod.

and I guess I'll need to get all the info I can so I can talk it over with my transmission guy. He knows a lot about 700s as well, and other trans/transfercases, but mostly just a real good knowledgeable family man. He will be doing my disc conversion and axles too.