4x4 4spd to Auto Conversion, What's Involved?

[Ironhorse]

Never thought I would ever consider parting with my "granny" 4spd in my '71
4x4 long bed. Times change and so does my old body. Having some real issues with the ol' bad knees syndrome and pushing the clutch is really starting to bother. Guess I spent to many years with my old truck to move on to another re-build so am thinking of going the whole change over to possiblly a overdrive 4 spd auto box. Not cheap I'm sure but just what is involved besides the obvious? Tried to do a search and guess I'm not using the right terms or something. I do know an adapter is needed to go from the transmission to the transfer case. sm465/np205 stock '71 4x4. Any advise on what trans, th350, th400 or go with the newer overdrive trannys and if so which one? I have a stock 350 2bbl which most likely will get changed to a
4bbl Carter AFB at the same time and install a 4 core radiator with the cooling tanks. Don't do much 4 wheelin' but I just really want to keep my ol' Chevy truck. Been with it for to many years to let it go. Did the complete body rebuild with original GM rocker panels, cab corners, cab supports, swapped out the bed, both fenders, hood, both doors, moved the in cab tank under the bed, custom seat, been scrounging parts for a long time I've wanted, 4spd tilt ( which I know will change out) tow hooks, original am/fm, new paint, so many things. Just can't go with the idea of sending the truck down the road but this clutch, knee thing is really giving me problems. Any help and ideas are very much appreciated. Even the finance officer (aka the Mrs.) is on board with converting to an auto trans. Guess she doesn't want to hear my b**ching about getting rid of ol' Blue, LOL.

Sorry for the long post but this has been on my mind for some time now and if I'm going to do this I want to do it right.

[duallyjams]

IMO sell your sw465 np205 set up , on your new set up go with a 700r4 with a 27 spline np205 from a turbo 350.

[Ironhorse]

duallyjams, thanks for the response. Any thoughts about what particular year of 700R4 trans to look for? Not very up on such a swap, any tips and info is much appreciated. Are all np205 auto adapters a 27 spline set-up or again am I in need of a specific year or application? I know I need to do some digging on this but the knowledge on this board has saved me many a trip down the wrong path so looking for in-sight again in that way.

[duallyjams]

I don't remember the year but you want a K case for the 700r4.
Honestly just google something like 700r4 4x4 and you will get a lot of pages to read.
Also do a search on here but try it in the blazer section or the 72 section.

[Ironhorse]

I made a post in the 4x4 section and have looked using the search but not having a lot of luck. My bad knees and a clutch just aren't working as well anymore. Would like to keep my 4x4 but switch to auto trans with using a 700r4 trans, 4 spd auto column, and current np205 t/c. Anyone who has experience with such a swap that can give some info on what is involved and best parts to look for? Any help and tips much appreciated.

[jocko]

note that for a 700R4 trans swap into a 4x4, the engine will need to be moved forward approx 2". And there is room to do this since the 4x4's eng is mounted about that much aft compared to a 2WD version. Some previous threads on here regarding this discussion, probably worth a search. It's not as simple a trans swap as a 2WD 700R4 swap, but it is doable.

[bikes&bowties]

Why would the engine need moved forward? Sounds like making more work than you have to.

Have you considered a 4l80e? I personally have pulled to many junk th700r4's to put one back in...
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