700R4. Love it or hate it?

[pmpski_1]

Do you regret your 700R4 swap? Do you love your 700R4 swap?

I'm thinking hard about it. I don't want recommendations on what tranny to keep or buy or rebuild, there are plenty of threads with lots of good info about transmissions. I'm just interested in whether you love or hate your 700R4 and why.

[leddzepp]

Love it. Shifts great, low first gear, better mileage on the freeway.

[Indyuke]

Love it too. I don't think I like the low first gear so much... or rather the big jump between 1st and second since I don't do a lot of heavy hauling. But the overdrive is wonderful, as it makes the truck into a very friendly highway cruiser.

[70clone]

I love my 700r4 wouldnt trade it for nothin in the world

[big_al_71]

Hated it!! when I had my 89 gmc with a "355" I went thru two of them in less than 5k miles,,,never again.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Yes, I regret it, but ONLY because I wish I had done a 5 speed swap more (I like driving manuals) but now that it's in I love it.

I installed an old junkyard one from an '83 firebird with high miles and didn't have the TV cable set up right and it burned up after 7K. The "new one" has about 8K on it and going strong still.

[passthebuck]

Love it. Once the 700r4 has been rebuilt with good guts, you can drive it hard & it will last for a long time. I drove mine for 11 years daily for about 80000kms & I drove it hard, grabbing rubber in the first 2 gears all the time. It makes a buzzy highway drive a pleasure. The low 1st gear can be coupled with a 3.08 rear gear that still gets ya moving fast & then at the other end, get those highway rpms down close to a gas-sipping 1500rpm. The caveat, it can’t be stock or it wont live very long – it needs to be rebuilt! It can be built to withstand 700hp I'm told...

[lowrollin70gmc]

I love mine in my chevelle. Low first gear makes my 3.08s reasonable and the OD lets me get 20mpg at 75 (turning 2300 rpms).

Great tranny, just not sure how much it can be beefed up for loads of power.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Indyuke

Love it too. I don't think I like the low first gear so much... or rather the big jump between 1st and second since I don't do a lot of heavy hauling. But the overdrive is wonderful, as it makes the truck into a very friendly highway cruiser.

I totally agree with this post. I know you said you don't want tranny recomendations, but its hard to accurately answer your question without saying this. To answer your question, I have done 700 swaps and they are OK. However, I'd much rather have a 200-4R. The 200-4R is just as strong (and can be built way stronger if needed) but is basically geared like a TH350 with an OD. As Indyuke said, the massive jump in ratio between 1st and 2nd in a 700 is annoying to me. The 200 is the same length as the TH350 so the driveshaft doesn't have to changed, and it uses the same lockup wiring as a 700. I've done them both and in short, the 700-R4 swaps were just OK - the 200-4R swaps were great!

[sierra4x4]

I hato agree with 67 C30, I have had experience with both the 700R4 and 200-4R and I must say that the 200-4R is a way nicer trans in every way
1. better gear spacing
2. direct swap (uses TH350 driveshaft and TH400 mount location)
3. Multi-fit case
4. a little more OD .67 compared to .70
5. you can usually find them at a wrecker in a non abused oldsmobile from the 80's with a wimpy 307 in front of it.

[jbristo67]

Love that Overdrive

[leddzepp]

Lots of good points here, both positive and negative. It works for me cause I like the low first gear combined with my 3.08 gears. I do mostly in town driving, so I smoke the rice burners light to light, and still get the benefits of road trips on the freeway. 2200 rpm at 70 mph

I do have to add that they are tempermental and require a precise set-up, or they will fry in a heartbeat.

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Lots of good points here, both positive and negative. It works for me cause I like the low first gear combined with my 3.08 gears. I do mostly in town driving, so I smoke the rice burners light to light, and still get the benefits of road trips on the freeway. 2200 rpm at 70 mph

I do have to add that they are tempermental and require a precise set-up, or they will fry in a heartbeat.

What do you mean Precise set up? What do you need to get set up besides your lock up?

[67_C-30]

He means the position of the TV cable. It controls shifting on them, and if it is not set properly, you'll lunch one in a hurry.

[cparman]

I had one in my 500hp Chevelle, have one in my 72 Blazer, and am headed towards one in my C-10. The only way to go. You do need to get the TV cable adjusted correctly or you can burn them up. A little patience and the RPM and noise reduction is GREAT

[texanidiot25]

It out lasted the motor in my Firebird at 275k miles. Still no slipping after I sold it, and i beat the hell out of that car.

[see ten]

I agree with 67 C-30. The 200 has a lot less lag from first to second and seem to be the way people are leaning these days instead of the 700.

[Kinghat]

I have one in my 65 Chevy II and I love it. I have 3.08 gears in it and I really like the low first gear. The difference between 1st and 2nd doesn't seem like much to me, maybe because of the 3.08s.

[Andy4639]

Put a good rebuilt 700-R4 in a truck with 4:11 gears and decide for your self.
Enough said!
I LOVE IT!
Anybody who likes auto's and say they didn't like the 700's didn't have it done right in my opinion.

[MrC1]

I've got one in my C20 with the factory Dana 3.54s out back, but I've got some fairly tall tires. I've reduced the diameter from stock a bit, but they're still pretty tall. I'm running 285/60-17s and they look really tough.

I love the low 1st gear for towing, although I rarely do any of it. At least I'm ready for it!

Dropping it into OD with the converter locked up is a treat. It drops the RPMs by a huge amount. I'm not sure how much since I don't have a tach, but it's very significant.

[70onB.A.D.'s]

what is a reasonable price that you guys have paid for a 700r4 rebuild, also what type of vehicle do the 200-r4's come in!!

[Skirkpat]

I agree with the previous posts, and definately disagree with anyone who toasted two...Built and Installed correctly that would not have happened...I pull a 16 foot Gooseneck dump trailer with mine almost everyday in a 95 2500, loaded weight of 8,000 Lbs., through mud in 4wd and have only rebuilt once in 180,000 miles, Love it & can't hurt em if you know how to drive. My $.02

[6772owner]

Also love mine, made a huge difference in drivability and highway comfort. I have not had any issues at all, but TV Cable set-up is critical, and mine has been rebuild. I would contact Bow-Tie overdrives for all info, parts or a complete trans. Awesome people and product.

[Kinghat]

Originally Posted by 70onB.A.D.'s

what is a reasonable price that you guys have paid for a 700r4 rebuild, also what type of vehicle do the 200-r4's come in!!

I got mine for handling the selling of my bosses car, but he paid $1100 for a built 700R4 with a mild converter.

[468BIGBLOCK]

im my opinion the 700r4 is the WORST PIECE OF JUNK that g.m. has ever concieved!!!!!!!!