55 chevy 3100 1/2 ton recomended transmission

[wilberweb]

Hi, All
I have a question on Engine transmission combo for my 55 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton second series. It may have been answered before. I have a 350 Chevy engine going in my truck. I was going to go with an over drive trans.but I am thinking just a turbo 350 or 400 trans. I am going with a tilt wheel with a key on the dash. Or I was also thinking one of the newer transmissions with an over drive. some thoughts on what would be the best fit for thees trucks.It will be a daily driver. Not a racer.

Thanks
-Larry

[curmudgeon]

A daily drive does well with the proven combo of a mild 350 with either the 700R4 or 4L60 hooked up to a 3.73 rear, or a 3.42 if you want to trade off a little off the line accel for better highway mileage.

[dcmalone]

I have a 350sbc in mine and the original rearend with a 3.90 gear. I originally put a TH350 in it but didn't care for the high RPM cruising speed. I thought about going with a 700r4 but went with a 200 4R instead since I didn't have to get the driveshaft cut. I'm sure some will disagree with the 200, but it built up very nice and i turn about 2200 rpm at 70mph now. Makes interstate driving much more enjoyable (if there is such a thing as enjoyable interstate driving).

[wilberweb]

dcmalone,
I think the 200 4R Is a good fit for my application as well.

-Larry

[OrrieG]

I have a 350/350th with 3.73 rearend. Before with the rev happy 283 wasn't an issue, will see with the 350. My chevelle has a 350/350th with 3.08 rearend, does fine on the highway. If I was doing a 2wd truck I would go with a newer OD auto.

[01spirit750]

I am getting older (mid 40's) and like to just cruise. I have gone thru my share of 700r's in various cars. For my 57, I decided to step up and go with a 4L80E. I am running a 420hp SBC and do not trust a 700R/4L60.

I am sure that many will add that the 4l80E is overkiil, no arguement from me, but I can assure you that I will never blow it up (which I have done with 700R's).

THe catch is that the 4l80 needs a computer and the torque converters are more expensive.

[55stepside4x4]

In my 55 I'm planning on the 350 with 4l60, yes I've come into problems with it as well, how ever a major fault in the 4l60s are the stamped sunshells, (so my mechanic says) I have a4l60 on the shop floor in pieces now, sure enough the sun shell, there is a upgrade which I plan to replace it with its a forged sunshell called the beast or monster in hopes that it doesnt happen again.

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by 01spirit750

I am getting older (mid 40's) and like to just cruise. I have gone thru my share of 700r's in various cars. For my 57, I decided to step up and go with a 4L80E. I am running a 420hp SBC and do not trust a 700R/4L60.

I am sure that many will add that the 4l80E is overkiil, no arguement from me, but I can assure you that I will never blow it up (which I have done with 700R's).

THe catch is that the 4l80 needs a computer and the torque converters are more expensive.

How did you end up controlling the 4L80E?
Did you use an aftermarket trans controller?

[wilberweb]

I had a 4l60 came with my silverado 4x4 I would be interested in finding out about the controller as well. I am not familiar with the term sunshells.


-Larry

[_Ogre]

i'm quite happy with the 700r4 in truk
with a 350, 700r4 and 3.27 gear i get 20 mpg cruising at 80 mph
with a 200r4 you won't have to cut your drive shaft
neither need a computer to run

truk can scorch the tires or get good gas mileage

[wilberweb]

It sounds like the 200r4 is the way to go for me.


-Larry