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01-31-2013, 12:58 AM | #1 |
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Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I am contemplating switching over to overdrive. Most of the obvious choice's would be the 700r4. I have been thinking about a 2004r trans since I hear they will bolt right in place without moving the crossmember or mount. I am also under the impression that the lockup and tv cable will hook right up without any conversion. Can someone elaborate on this a little more.
Does this sound right? My 350 is a very mild build and just wanting to get a few more mpg's out of it. I don't know much more about the 2004r other than what I have read and posted here. Is the overdrive gear its own gear or does it run off of the drive gear. What I mean is if the 2004r is installed then will I need to get an overdrive steering column so I can have a 4th gear selector position versus the Th 350 only have three forward drive positions on the column. |
01-31-2013, 01:33 AM | #2 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
The big difference between the 200R4, and 700R4 is the 1st gear ratio. Beyond that they share the same weaknesses of a non-performance trans.
I have heard if you put a OD trans onto a stock column shift your ok. Because the detents are on the trans itself, and not on the steering column. Myself I am going with the 200R4, and I plan to use it non lock up. The difference in mpg is not much, and with a good trans cooler no loss of life. I will use a 2000 rpm stall so I will gear it so at my final drive speed I am above 2000 rpm. You can run the 700R4 the same way. Provided it is set up to do so. |
01-31-2013, 01:42 AM | #3 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
My 85 came out with 2.73 gears in the ten bolt but I changed over to a twelve bolt and bot sure what gears they are. I know they are alot lower than the 2.73's that were in there. I had heard that the 700's had a lower first gear but the 200r4's gears were closer together.
I will probably look for a 200r4 (2004r) as I am told they are a direct bolt in to the Th350c. I think with the 700's you have to move the crossmember back and cut down the drive shaft but could be wrong about that. If what you are saying about the detent is correct then you just wouldn't be able to get into first gear manually correct? |
01-31-2013, 08:38 AM | #4 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
The crossmember has to move back with the 700 but it will line up with factory holes in your truck. The drive shaft should not need cutting down if you truck has a original long tailshaft 350 in it.
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01-31-2013, 09:00 AM | #5 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I had a 200r in my 82 and run it for years with no problem. One thing about the 200r4 is the 4th gear is a .67 ratio and first is a 2.74. I found that in 4th a 3.08 or lower gear will lug the motor at around 50mph. No way to run lock up. If you go with a 200r4 I would suggest a 3.42 or higher. I think a 3.73 would be just about right from my experience with the 200. The 700r4 has a 3.06 first and a .70 4th. You may be able to get by with a 3.08 or 3.42. I would suggest a 3.42 with the lock up . Even the 3.73 would be ok. If I had to do it all over again I would run the 3.73 with either one with lock up.
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02-02-2013, 09:18 AM | #6 | |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Quote:
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02-02-2013, 09:28 AM | #7 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
the t.v cable for a 200/700r relies on more throw then the th350 setup can deliver, you need some adaptor brackets for it to work properly or it will burn up. i still have the three speed auto column in my truck with the 700r swap, only problem is you cant manually downshift to 1st gear. b&m makes a nice lockup kit that lets you change the vehicle speed at which it locks up or can be switched off all together.
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1977 srw cc lb 396/700r/4:11's/6'' bds lift/ 35's. sold 1986 suburban 350/700r/3:73's 31's: parted out. 1980 silverado swb 5.3/700r/ 2'' drop/ daily driver. sold 1985 c10 long bed 5.3/700r/2'' drop/17" wheels/ daily driver. sold 1970 c10 long bed-new project! getting ready for the 6.0 |
02-02-2013, 10:31 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Quote:
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02-04-2013, 11:00 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Quote:
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02-04-2013, 11:12 AM | #10 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I prefer the 200 over the 700 if I had a choice. As mentioned, the 2004R's can be made very stout and survive fine in GN's running deep 9's at well over 150 mph.
Personally I like the gear spread on the 200's better. The 2.75 first gear allows for a much closer 2nd gear so you don't have the huge rpm drop associated with the 700 1-2 shift. Another nice feature of the 200's I didn't see mentioned is that it has slightly more overdrive than the 700. .67 vs .70 if that matters to you. The uni-bolt bell housing is also nice which makes the 200 a versitile swap in just about anything. Very popular swap with the BOP guys. |
02-08-2013, 03:18 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Quote:
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01-31-2013, 09:37 AM | #12 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I couldn't be happier with the 700 and .373 gears with 30" tires..2000rpm is around 60-65 mph..Makes for a nice cruiser. If I'm doing a lot of back roads where it is going in and out of lockup a lot , I have a switch to turn off lockup. I don't really do that too often though. As stated earlier it is also a direct bolt in. The holes are already there for the crossmember.
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01-31-2013, 09:54 AM | #13 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I don't have any input on auto swap, but I swapped the farmer special three on the tree in my truck with a T5 and my highway mpg went from 13 to 18 mpg. Very nice for long stretches of highway.
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02-01-2013, 04:04 PM | #14 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Gear vendors overdrive is a great option also. I have one that I used on a G10 van with a built 350 (about 500hp) with th350. Even pulling a trailer loaded with equipment I could cruise at 70mph at around 2500rpm. If you are interested contact me. Not using it because my truck already had a 700r4. They are rated for up to 1200hp also. The nice thing is you just bolt it on.
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02-02-2013, 12:24 AM | #15 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I have never used a th200, but i have run 350, 400 and 700's as far as autos go. By far ma favorite is the 700. It has a deep first gear and a great overdrive gear.
As far as Rich84 said make sure you wire it up for lockup and put in the switch. TCI has a kit for 3rd and 4th lock up that uses vacuum to help the lock up in town, and a switch to turn it all off. In regards to fuel economy I am getting 15mpg in tow and 18-20mpg on the highway.
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02-02-2013, 12:25 AM | #16 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Hope this helps
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Dan 83 Chevy K10 Scottsdale, ZZ4, TH700r4, 4.10, 33" |
02-02-2013, 01:06 AM | #17 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
im putting a 4l80e in my 1 ton, but just because i fell into a fresh one for 200 and i can justify the 700 for a controller
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02-02-2013, 01:09 AM | #18 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
If I go ahead and put the 2004r in my truck, then what kind of wiring issues will I have when putting in an overdrive column. Is there a certain year column I should look for over another year? Is everything pretty much plug n play or is there wiring connector differences.
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02-02-2013, 02:49 AM | #19 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
I think it was 82 the 700r4 became a option just check the column for 4 gears not 3.
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02-02-2013, 01:39 PM | #20 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
So here's another guestion to add to this. While I know 700 were used alot more in heavy vehicles, like trucks and vettes wouldn't it be wiser to put a 700 in? I always thought that car trans were different than that of truck transmissions? I know years ago my stepfather had an old econoline that the trans went out in, a C4 and he swapped one in from a maverick another C4and it went bad quickly. It was a fairly new trans too. Any thoughts on this?
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02-02-2013, 09:44 PM | #21 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
What would my truck weigh? If the 2004R came out in G body cars then my 79 Cutlass weighs about 3300lbs. Are these trucks somewhere around 4300lbs?
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02-02-2013, 10:09 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Quote:
I would go with a 700 over a 200, the 700 is basically a 350 with an O/D. I would like to put one in my dually but am concerned about whether it will holdup to heavy towing. Did they use them in 1 tons?? |
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02-03-2013, 01:13 AM | #23 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
Yeah the 2004r came in all g bodies 81 to 87 even the gnx used it.When i was a kid my grandpa had a 83 el camino and he used it like a truck.He towed his boat with it a lot for years a 3 wheeler when deer season came around.A family member has it now and its still never had a trans put it in yet.
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02-03-2013, 01:15 AM | #24 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
How much more does a short bed 2wd weigh versus a G body.
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02-03-2013, 03:27 AM | #25 |
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Re: Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85
about 500 pounds
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