700r4 install

[Simbone47]

Guys,
Got a 67 C10 with 3-speed manual, 250, and 4.11 rear end. It is downsizing time for the fleet and if my truck is to make the cut, I must make it a daily driver. I currently peak at 45-50 mph. I'm thinking the 700r4 may save the day. The local transmisson shop is quoting $2500-2700. This is including cross member, TV bracket fabrication work, junkyard steering column, etc.. Is this the best solution? Price? Performance expectations with 250 and 4.11?
Thanks for the help,
Chris

[Longhorn Man]

if you are actually topping out at that low of a speed, your truck has other issues needing addressed first.

[Simbone47]

It's not really "topping out". I haven't seen what it will get to. 45-50 is just the normal max that I hit riding to work. The engine is running alot faster than it needs to be with the current 4.11 and I don't want to abuse it or listen to it either.
Chris

[Rickey]

Why not just change out the rearend gears to 308's and save about $2000.

[Simbone47]

That was my original plan but am concerned about fixing my problem by gaining a good highway speed gear ratio but killing my low speed ratio. With the current unsynched transmission, I must be nearly stopped to access first gear. If i slow down at a light and then continue, I must ride the gas to get through the manuever in second gear with a 4.11. If I increase my gear ratio, I believe it will be much worse if not impossible. This is why I "think" I need either an overdrive transmission or a gear change along with a first gear synchronizer. Thoughts?
Chris

[rust!!whatrust?]

Just installed a 700r4 in my truck. I've heard the $2,000 mark is expected but I believe with patience and some friends you can save some money. I found a used tranny and swaped it when I had the engine out. Only had to unbolt and move the cross member back alittle. Then I used all TCI TV cable etc. A company called Bowler makes a really nice kit but it is costly. I had no experience with tranny work and I was able to do the swap with some help from a friend and my dad. The truck runs great. I have 3:73's and it runs about 2500 rpm at 80 mph. You could possibly keep your column and use a floor shifter to save some money also.

[rust!!whatrust?]

Oh yeah when I had my 250 six, turbo 350 and 3:73's she barely hit 70 mph down hill with a tail wind.

[Ackattack]

I probably spent close to $2k for my 700r4 when it was all said and done.

$250 for the tranny core
$1300 for a high performance rebuild
$200 drive shaft
some more for VSS (maybe that was for the TPI I went with at the same time...it's on the tranny though)
more for the TV cable.

then I ended up changing from 3.08 gears to 3.73...another $250+

[Gray Ghost]

Yikes....why don't you get one from our local boys....they build them for $750-900....you install it then drive it to them and they will set the TV cable for you.

My buddy bought one and the kit to install it for $850. The builder is in Terrell just west of town. I know that's a bit far from you but the money you will save could pay for a short vacation up here!

[OLDIRON69]

I want to do the same swap, I tow ALOT though. I would be afriad to put it in overdrive even pulling empty (16' utility trailer) Won't this be an issue to consider??

[Gray Ghost]

The right builder will be able to set the tranny up for towing easily.

[OLDIRON69]

Who do you use in Terrell?

[hvychve]

check out this sight, bowtieoverdrives.com They build in several forms, from stock to race.
good sight with plenty of good tips, you can even purchase tv brackets , cables, cross members and transmissions shipped directly to your from door . they also have good tips and how to's, especially on there tv pressure setup procedure. good luck and I like the 4:10 gears in the rear of my truck, especially with the lower first gear in the 700R4. good lauches and not improvising higher speeds, I opted for a trans temp. gauge and a lock up in second and third if desired for ease on trans if towing at lower speeds.....good luck

[67ChevyRedneck]

3.08 gears.

If you're only hitting 45-50 mph on your way to work, an OD tranny won't do you any good.

But if you really want to go that route, a 700R4 with a 3.73 rear is a good combo.

For comparison I get 12.5-13 mpg consistently with a commute like yours and 16-17 mpg highway (I rarely drive more than 20% highway). I have a 350/700R4/3.73. Running around Greenville I almost never put the truck in OD (under 50mph.)

[Simbone47]

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

[Simbone47]

Also, what did you guys do for a steering column? I've seen plenty of nice ones but way out of price range. I'm afraid most from the junkyard will have the ignition on the side.
Chris

[Rickey]

The transmission shop west of Terrell Tx [Trans Pro] did the 700r in my truck. I have 411's and run 70 at 3000 much better then the turbo 350. You should be able to find a column on this site or ebay I would think for a 100 or less. Try a search unless you want a tilt column and they are much more. I thought if cost is a big factor then changing out the rear end would work for you. I spent around 1400 including shorting the drive shaft, TV cable and longer speedo cable.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Simbone47

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

Ahhhh, gotcha!

I have a cooler on mine. Lots of fellas here do too, just something you kinda forget about? They're cheap too, I think mine with the line and fittings was only around $60? Cheap way to help your tranny last longer.

I said to heck with the column shift and put in a Lokar floor shift.

[Twistedsteel]

Originally Posted by Simbone47

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

You'll need a cooler because your current radiator doesnt have trans fittings. You could swap radiators but you will still have to run lines.

Do they make special coolers for that application? I don't think an ordinary tranny cooler would suffice.

Albie

[Critter]

Not trying to be a smart@ss or anything, but if you are worried about saving a few bucks at the pump, why are you going to spend $2,500 on a tranny in order to gain fuel mileage? I think it would take YEARS for the upgrade to pay for itself. However, if you want to make the swap just for the heck of it, I say GO FOR IT! I agree with alot of the others though, I would shop around a little while for a salvage yard/rebuild deal before I dropped that kind of cash for a "kit". Just my $0.02

[cruiserman]

Add an overdrive to your TH350.

[jfalesi]

Sounds great, but... I'm not going to consider an under/overdrive in earnest unless it shifts into and out of overdrive automatically in every gear. I have an automatic and I want to keep it automatic! Plus, the 700r4's OD gear ratio (0.70) is lower than gear vendor's "3rd-over" (0.78) which is better for cruising, cruiserman

Originally Posted by cruiserman

Add an overdrive to your TH350.

[mnunn454]

My 2 cents:

If you don't mind the manual, perhaps a 4-or 5 speed with overdrive would be the better choice over a TH700. Fewer mods to install.

Also, there's the Gear Vendors bolt on Overdrive option for about the same price as you were quoted for the TH700 upgrade. That'll give you a lower low and a higher high.

I agree with the member above that suggested a 3.08 as the cheaper option. I'd go that route 1st if you're serious about making this a DD. After swapping to it, if your truck won't take off in 1st with a 3.08 then there's something wrong with the engine, the carb or the ignition. The good news is you'd still have lots of cash left over to fix it.

Finally, taller tires and rims (16" wheels with LT tires?) will tame that 4.11 gear a little. The taller they are, the lower the engine revs will be at any given speed. I experimented with a 61 Apache when I was a teen and ran 16" military tread tires on it that were about 36" tall. It tamed my 3.90 rear gear to the point that on one occasion I was able to get 25 MPG at 55 MPH. With small street tires, the monster got 10 MPG no matter how you drove it.