1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

suburban99 · 08-03-2016, 02:41 PM

Hey all, just picked up a 1972 K10 custom deluxe in decent shape. Currently 350/350 and runs great.
Recently rebuilt engine and tranny by PO..running 33"x 9.50 x15 tires and it has a lot of power so I suspect it has 4.10's

I am trying to decide whether to do a 5.3/4l60e swap or just replace the tranny with an 700r4 (or 2004r---have core). Trying to get the rpm's down a bit and mileage up. I did a 5.3/4L60e swap on my 62 C10 before I sold it and it was great..I can do the re-pin of the pcm...

Anyone care to share their 700r4 or 5.3/4l60 mileage numbers? Thanks

Bigdav160 · 08-03-2016, 02:55 PM

200-4R is out unless you want to invest in a divorced transfer case.

The 5.3l/4L60e is popular but more work and expense in 4WD due to the vehicle speed sensor adaptation.

700R4 needs the engine moved forward, exhaust extended, radiator hoses shortened and a special output shaft to mate to the transfer case.

I don't have any mileage figures from my Suburban. Sorry

**jocko** · 08-03-2016, 03:07 PM

Concur 2004R best option.

TwoFiftyShifter · 08-03-2016, 03:12 PM

Keep it 350! How about an NV4500 swap for OD?

72again4x4 · 08-03-2016, 05:29 PM

If it runs great, why not leave it and put a gear vendors OD unit on the output. This from a guy that pulled a 350 and put a 700r4 in my 72 K10.
Should a, could a, would a. Just my 2 cents.

XwalkerX · 08-03-2016, 06:30 PM

i have an L33 5.3/4L65e combo in my 2wd swb

blackbear performance tune
cold air intake
headers/x pipe/flowmasters
3.42 with eaton posi

I drive about 400-500 miles a week and avg 23 mpg

72_K10_Vegas · 08-03-2016, 09:39 PM

X2 with Bigdav160.

I have done all that he indicated to have the 700R4 installed (not on the road yet).

A guy should consider front driveline issues coming up with clearance to 700R4 pan. I did a 2.5" lift (actually 3 when it was compared to original) and that helped a little on clearance issues, but still will have to have a custom front drive shaft.

Not a huge deal, lots of competent shops out there, just one more thing....

**DeadheadNM** · 08-03-2016, 11:06 PM

Very nice truck. I went with a 700r4 in my k20 and have a th350 in my k1500 ( w 3.73 gears) both w 33" BFGs. I can't give you mileage though sorry. Unless you expect to do a lot of driving I'd suggest sticking w the th350 and change gears as needed to drop the rpms.

Nitis · 08-08-2016, 12:34 AM

I personally would explore the 700 r4 first

going with an LSX swap requires a new front crossmember and lift which it looks like you are already lifted

Either way your spending a lot of cheddar depending on how much work you can do yourself

**jeffahart** · 08-08-2016, 12:51 AM

The work is hard,
The pay is low,
But we're still here,
Still on the go!

The payloads high,
the gears are low,
Average speed is very slow!

My brains gone soft,
my liver hard,
your best MPG is parked in the yard!!!!

SBC....

08-03-2016, 02:41 PM	#1
suburban99 Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Mission BC Posts: 452	1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 Hey all, just picked up a 1972 K10 custom deluxe in decent shape. Currently 350/350 and runs great. Recently rebuilt engine and tranny by PO..running 33"x 9.50 x15 tires and it has a lot of power so I suspect it has 4.10's I am trying to decide whether to do a 5.3/4l60e swap or just replace the tranny with an 700r4 (or 2004r---have core). Trying to get the rpm's down a bit and mileage up. I did a 5.3/4L60e swap on my 62 C10 before I sold it and it was great..I can do the re-pin of the pcm... Anyone care to share their 700r4 or 5.3/4l60 mileage numbers? Thanks Attached Images __________________ 1962 C10 Longbox LS 5.3 4L60E----Sold$$ 2014 Ram 4x4 3500 Laramie Diesel..Momma's truck 2015 Ram 4x4 1500 1997 Boxster. 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe LS 6.0 1950 GMC 3100 S10 & LS swapped

08-03-2016, 02:55 PM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 200-4R is out unless you want to invest in a divorced transfer case. The 5.3l/4L60e is popular but more work and expense in 4WD due to the vehicle speed sensor adaptation. 700R4 needs the engine moved forward, exhaust extended, radiator hoses shortened and a special output shaft to mate to the transfer case. I don't have any mileage figures from my Suburban. Sorry __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

08-03-2016, 03:07 PM	#3
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,954	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 Concur 2004R best option.

08-03-2016, 03:12 PM	#4
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 Keep it 350! How about an NV4500 swap for OD? __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

08-03-2016, 05:29 PM	#5
72again4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 179	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 If it runs great, why not leave it and put a gear vendors OD unit on the output. This from a guy that pulled a 350 and put a 700r4 in my 72 K10. Should a, could a, would a. Just my 2 cents. __________________ 1971 K10 short bed step side, 5.3/th350/205, 3.73 gears

08-03-2016, 06:30 PM	#6
XwalkerX Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 529	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 i have an L33 5.3/4L65e combo in my 2wd swb blackbear performance tune cold air intake headers/x pipe/flowmasters 3.42 with eaton posi I drive about 400-500 miles a week and avg 23 mpg

08-03-2016, 09:39 PM	#7
72_K10_Vegas Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 93	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 X2 with Bigdav160. I have done all that he indicated to have the 700R4 installed (not on the road yet). A guy should consider front driveline issues coming up with clearance to 700R4 pan. I did a 2.5" lift (actually 3 when it was compared to original) and that helped a little on clearance issues, but still will have to have a custom front drive shaft. Not a huge deal, lots of competent shops out there, just one more thing.... __________________ 72 K10

08-03-2016, 11:06 PM	#8
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,355	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 Very nice truck. I went with a 700r4 in my k20 and have a th350 in my k1500 ( w 3.73 gears) both w 33" BFGs. I can't give you mileage though sorry. Unless you expect to do a lot of driving I'd suggest sticking w the th350 and change gears as needed to drop the rpms. __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

08-08-2016, 12:34 AM	#9
Nitis Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NOR-CAL Posts: 1,134	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 I personally would explore the 700 r4 first going with an LSX swap requires a new front crossmember and lift which it looks like you are already lifted Either way your spending a lot of cheddar depending on how much work you can do yourself

08-08-2016, 12:51 AM	#10
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,903	Re: 1972 K10 --Help me decide 5.3/4l60E swap or 700R4 The work is hard, The pay is low, But we're still here, Still on the go! The payloads high, the gears are low, Average speed is very slow! My brains gone soft, my liver hard, your best MPG is parked in the yard!!!! SBC.... __________________ White K20 Last edited by jeffahart; 08-08-2016 at 12:53 AM. Reason: Because it's Sunday... waaaay past beer thirty!



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