Transmission help please - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hambone1958 · 07-11-2003, 08:54 AM

The project is a 1972 GMC lwb. The engine is a 1969 396 out of a chevelle. I am ready to buy a transmission but don't know jack about it. Can someone tell me does this truck have a 4" tail or 9" tail. How about a 700r4 will it bolt right in? I would like something with overdrive. Any suggestions or comments would be apperciated.

Thanks

cdowns · 07-11-2003, 10:34 AM

i think you'd be betteroff with a heavy duty rebuild of a 2004R it would bolt right in and if the truck originally had a th350 the driveshaft can be used asis

Blue68 · 07-11-2003, 10:57 AM

What transmission was in it? Pretty much any GM transmission will bolt right in there. You would need an adapter for a Buick, Olds, Caddy, or even a Tremec tranny, but why bother, Chevrolet has any transmission you would want. If you want overdrive, you have the 700r4, the 200r4 (either of these will do fine if they were built by a reputable shop and set up properly). If you go with a 700, you will most likely need to shorten your front driveshaft. Obviously, any automatic will require cooling lines to the radiator tank (which actually warms the fluid in the winter as well to get it up to operating range quicker). There are also overdrive manuals out there. You need to decide if you will be doing much towing as well as this should be taken into account. With an overdrive, you should downshift to 3rd for towing. The exception would probably be a manual or the 4L80, which is computer controlled heavy duty overdrive found in modern trucks. Computer control devices can be bought to make them work in non-computer equiped vehicles.

Just a few more thoughts on the matter....good luck.

hambone1958 · 07-11-2003, 11:23 AM

It came with a turbo 400 and a 350 engine. Don't plan on any towing when the project is done the truck will be my wifes weekend cruiser.

Blue68 · 07-11-2003, 12:07 PM

Weekend cruiser, high hp, have a th400 in hand that came in it....I'd think about putting the th400 back in. Unless the cruising is long distances I'd run what you have. No drive shaft modifications, shift linkage is set up for it, plumbing is there, you just bolt it back in.

But if your cruising highway distances very often I can understand a desire for overdrive, especially with a 3.73 rearend. If so, take a peak at www.700r4.com for casual reading if nothing else. They sell 700r4 and 4L80 transmissions.

hambone1958 · 07-11-2003, 03:34 PM

Blue 68 that web site has a wealth of info thanks

07-11-2003, 08:54 AM	#1
hambone1958 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Point Harbor NC Posts: 299	Transmission help please The project is a 1972 GMC lwb. The engine is a 1969 396 out of a chevelle. I am ready to buy a transmission but don't know jack about it. Can someone tell me does this truck have a 4" tail or 9" tail. How about a 700r4 will it bolt right in? I would like something with overdrive. Any suggestions or comments would be apperciated. Thanks __________________ Alan

07-11-2003, 10:34 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i think you'd be betteroff with a heavy duty rebuild of a 2004R it would bolt right in and if the truck originally had a th350 the driveshaft can be used asis __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-11-2003, 10:57 AM	#3
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	What transmission was in it? Pretty much any GM transmission will bolt right in there. You would need an adapter for a Buick, Olds, Caddy, or even a Tremec tranny, but why bother, Chevrolet has any transmission you would want. If you want overdrive, you have the 700r4, the 200r4 (either of these will do fine if they were built by a reputable shop and set up properly). If you go with a 700, you will most likely need to shorten your front driveshaft. Obviously, any automatic will require cooling lines to the radiator tank (which actually warms the fluid in the winter as well to get it up to operating range quicker). There are also overdrive manuals out there. You need to decide if you will be doing much towing as well as this should be taken into account. With an overdrive, you should downshift to 3rd for towing. The exception would probably be a manual or the 4L80, which is computer controlled heavy duty overdrive found in modern trucks. Computer control devices can be bought to make them work in non-computer equiped vehicles. Just a few more thoughts on the matter....good luck. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

07-11-2003, 11:23 AM	#4
hambone1958 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Point Harbor NC Posts: 299	It came with a turbo 400 and a 350 engine. Don't plan on any towing when the project is done the truck will be my wifes weekend cruiser. __________________ Alan

07-11-2003, 12:07 PM	#5
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	Weekend cruiser, high hp, have a th400 in hand that came in it....I'd think about putting the th400 back in. Unless the cruising is long distances I'd run what you have. No drive shaft modifications, shift linkage is set up for it, plumbing is there, you just bolt it back in. But if your cruising highway distances very often I can understand a desire for overdrive, especially with a 3.73 rearend. If so, take a peak at www.700r4.com for casual reading if nothing else. They sell 700r4 and 4L80 transmissions. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

07-11-2003, 03:34 PM	#6
hambone1958 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Point Harbor NC Posts: 299	Blue 68 that web site has a wealth of info thanks __________________ Alan

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