One thing I dislike about the 700R4's is the fact the ones with the TV cable are vulnerable--if that cable snaps,falls off at the carb or injector pump,or the adjuster goes out of whack and lets it move,the tranny is toast in a matter of miles..
I have to do something with my '85 Diesel Suburban,it's 700R4 supposedly loses reverse and overdrive after it "warms up",according to the former owner..since I do not drive long distances on the interstates often,I am pondering what one tranny rebuilder suggested--get a 2wd TH350 "short tail" tranny,ditch the tailshaft and buy a spacer to make up the difference in length,so it'll end up the same length overall as a 700R4 is,so it'll be a bolt in swap with no driveshaft mods..but I forgot to ask him about what to do about vacuum for the TH350's modulator,or the 6 bolt lower stall speed torque converter..(I think he assumed I had a gasser,not a diesel!)..
I know cable operated modulators can be had,but are costly and then you have the same frail cable woes as a 700R4..not sure if there is a diesel version torque converter for a TH350??..
I have asked a lot of guys for opinions about what to swap in,so far most say to get a TH400 & the transfer case and driveshafts from a junker,and live with no overdrive--they have modulators too though!..others say to just swap in another 700R4 and a few said the gas versions will work behind a diesel fine,despite having a slightly higher stall speed converter with "only" three bolts,they still bolt up to the diesels 6 olt flex plate..I dont know which way to go,but I dont like the 700R4's fragility,especially if I go with a used one,which is the only option I have,cheaper is better..
I have to do something with my '85 Diesel Suburban,it's 700R4 supposedly loses reverse and overdrive after it "warms up",according to the former owner..since I do not drive long distances on the interstates often,I am pondering what one tranny rebuilder suggested--get a 2wd TH350 "short tail" tranny,ditch the tailshaft and buy a spacer to make up the difference in length,so it'll end up the same length overall as a 700R4 is,so it'll be a bolt in swap with no driveshaft mods..but I forgot to ask him about what to do about vacuum for the TH350's modulator,or the 6 bolt lower stall speed torque converter..(I think he assumed I had a gasser,not a diesel!)..
I know cable operated modulators can be had,but are costly and then you have the same frail cable woes as a 700R4..not sure if there is a diesel version torque converter for a TH350??..
I have asked a lot of guys for opinions about what to swap in,so far most say to get a TH400 & the transfer case and driveshafts from a junker,and live with no overdrive--they have modulators too though!..others say to just swap in another 700R4 and a few said the gas versions will work behind a diesel fine,despite having a slightly higher stall speed converter with "only" three bolts,they still bolt up to the diesels 6 olt flex plate..I dont know which way to go,but I dont like the 700R4's fragility,especially if I go with a used one,which is the only option I have,cheaper is better..
