700r4 install

[Simbone47]

Guys,
Got a 67 C10 with 3-speed manual, 250, and 4.11 rear end. It is downsizing time for the fleet and if my truck is to make the cut, I must make it a daily driver. I currently peak at 45-50 mph. I'm thinking the 700r4 may save the day. The local transmisson shop is quoting $2500-2700. This is including cross member, TV bracket fabrication work, junkyard steering column, etc.. Is this the best solution? Price? Performance expectations with 250 and 4.11?
Thanks for the help,
Chris

[Longhorn Man]

if you are actually topping out at that low of a speed, your truck has other issues needing addressed first.

[Simbone47]

It's not really "topping out". I haven't seen what it will get to. 45-50 is just the normal max that I hit riding to work. The engine is running alot faster than it needs to be with the current 4.11 and I don't want to abuse it or listen to it either.
Chris

[Rickey]

Why not just change out the rearend gears to 308's and save about $2000.

[Simbone47]

That was my original plan but am concerned about fixing my problem by gaining a good highway speed gear ratio but killing my low speed ratio. With the current unsynched transmission, I must be nearly stopped to access first gear. If i slow down at a light and then continue, I must ride the gas to get through the manuever in second gear with a 4.11. If I increase my gear ratio, I believe it will be much worse if not impossible. This is why I "think" I need either an overdrive transmission or a gear change along with a first gear synchronizer. Thoughts?
Chris

[rust!!whatrust?]

Just installed a 700r4 in my truck. I've heard the $2,000 mark is expected but I believe with patience and some friends you can save some money. I found a used tranny and swaped it when I had the engine out. Only had to unbolt and move the cross member back alittle. Then I used all TCI TV cable etc. A company called Bowler makes a really nice kit but it is costly. I had no experience with tranny work and I was able to do the swap with some help from a friend and my dad. The truck runs great. I have 3:73's and it runs about 2500 rpm at 80 mph. You could possibly keep your column and use a floor shifter to save some money also.

[rust!!whatrust?]

Oh yeah when I had my 250 six, turbo 350 and 3:73's she barely hit 70 mph down hill with a tail wind.

[Ackattack]

I probably spent close to $2k for my 700r4 when it was all said and done.

$250 for the tranny core
$1300 for a high performance rebuild
$200 drive shaft
some more for VSS (maybe that was for the TPI I went with at the same time...it's on the tranny though)
more for the TV cable.

then I ended up changing from 3.08 gears to 3.73...another $250+

[Gray Ghost]

Yikes....why don't you get one from our local boys....they build them for $750-900....you install it then drive it to them and they will set the TV cable for you.

My buddy bought one and the kit to install it for $850. The builder is in Terrell just west of town. I know that's a bit far from you but the money you will save could pay for a short vacation up here!

[OLDIRON69]

I want to do the same swap, I tow ALOT though. I would be afriad to put it in overdrive even pulling empty (16' utility trailer) Won't this be an issue to consider??

[Gray Ghost]

The right builder will be able to set the tranny up for towing easily.

[OLDIRON69]

Who do you use in Terrell?

[hvychve]

check out this sight, bowtieoverdrives.com They build in several forms, from stock to race.
good sight with plenty of good tips, you can even purchase tv brackets , cables, cross members and transmissions shipped directly to your from door . they also have good tips and how to's, especially on there tv pressure setup procedure. good luck and I like the 4:10 gears in the rear of my truck, especially with the lower first gear in the 700R4. good lauches and not improvising higher speeds, I opted for a trans temp. gauge and a lock up in second and third if desired for ease on trans if towing at lower speeds.....good luck

[67ChevyRedneck]

3.08 gears.

If you're only hitting 45-50 mph on your way to work, an OD tranny won't do you any good.

But if you really want to go that route, a 700R4 with a 3.73 rear is a good combo.

For comparison I get 12.5-13 mpg consistently with a commute like yours and 16-17 mpg highway (I rarely drive more than 20% highway). I have a 350/700R4/3.73. Running around Greenville I almost never put the truck in OD (under 50mph.)

[Simbone47]

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

[Simbone47]

Also, what did you guys do for a steering column? I've seen plenty of nice ones but way out of price range. I'm afraid most from the junkyard will have the ignition on the side.
Chris

[Rickey]

The transmission shop west of Terrell Tx [Trans Pro] did the 700r in my truck. I have 411's and run 70 at 3000 much better then the turbo 350. You should be able to find a column on this site or ebay I would think for a 100 or less. Try a search unless you want a tilt column and they are much more. I thought if cost is a big factor then changing out the rear end would work for you. I spent around 1400 including shorting the drive shaft, TV cable and longer speedo cable.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Simbone47

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

Ahhhh, gotcha!

I have a cooler on mine. Lots of fellas here do too, just something you kinda forget about? They're cheap too, I think mine with the line and fittings was only around $60? Cheap way to help your tranny last longer.

I said to heck with the column shift and put in a Lokar floor shift.

[Twistedsteel]

Originally Posted by Simbone47

Sorry for the bad info. 45- 50 mph is where I keep it. It will make 60 but it sure requires that engine to spin so I tend not to. Also, the transmission shop is suggesting a cooler. I haven't seen that listed on others' lists of items when they installed the 700r4. Towing is rare for me, is this necessary? I know its good but is it necessary? Thanks for all the input.
Chris

You'll need a cooler because your current radiator doesnt have trans fittings. You could swap radiators but you will still have to run lines.

Do they make special coolers for that application? I don't think an ordinary tranny cooler would suffice.

Albie

[Critter]

Not trying to be a smart@ss or anything, but if you are worried about saving a few bucks at the pump, why are you going to spend $2,500 on a tranny in order to gain fuel mileage? I think it would take YEARS for the upgrade to pay for itself. However, if you want to make the swap just for the heck of it, I say GO FOR IT! I agree with alot of the others though, I would shop around a little while for a salvage yard/rebuild deal before I dropped that kind of cash for a "kit". Just my $0.02

[OLDIRON69]

Originally Posted by Rickey

The transmission shop west of Terrell Tx [Trans Pro] did the 700r in my truck. I have 411's and run 70 at 3000 much better then the turbo 350. You should be able to find a column on this site or ebay I would think for a 100 or less. Try a search unless you want a tilt column and they are much more. I thought if cost is a big factor then changing out the rear end would work for you. I spent around 1400 including shorting the drive shaft, TV cable and longer speedo cable.

Do the same folks own TransPro?? I had a 5 speed rebuilt there back in '97 and it took 5-6 trips back to them to get it right, when the warranty went out so did the tranny. I have since had friends that race have tranny's built there and no issues...was the 1400 you doing the install or them?

[jfalesi]

Depends how much you drive. Try this:

# years to recoup cost = (cost of swap) * (current mileage) / [(price of gas) * (miles driven per year) * (% increase in mileage with OD)].

Eg. I get 10mpg and gas is ~$3/gal here. I probably drive about 2000 miles a year. Assuming a 30% increase in mileage (which some companies claim), and a $1500 swap, it would take me 1500*10/(3*2000*0.3) = 8.3 yrs. Hmmm... that 3.08 rear end is sounding better... assume a 15% mileage increase and a $300 swap: 300*10/(3*2000*0.15) = 3 1/3 years. OK, who's got a spare 3.08 rear?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by jfalesi

Depends how much you drive. Try this:

# years to recoup cost = (cost of swap) * (current mileage) / [(price of gas) * (miles driven per year) * (% increase in mileage with OD)].

Eg. I get 10mpg and gas is ~$3/gal here. I probably drive about 2000 miles a year. Assuming a 30% increase in mileage (which some companies claim), and a $1500 swap, it would take me 1500*10/(3*2000*0.3) = 8.3 yrs. Hmmm... that 3.08 rear end is sounding better... assume a 15% mileage increase and a $300 swap: 300*10/(3*2000*0.15) = 3 1/3 years. OK, who's got a spare 3.08 rear?

Thats what I was getting at...just too lazy to type it all out. Thanks.

[Simbone47]

Not sure how gas mileage became the topic. That was never the issue or I wouldn't be driving an old truck. It's about usability. I'd like to be able to operate on the highway. Again, I worry that a simple rear end change will affect my low speed performance, since I don't always have access to downshift to first, this will create a different problem for me. Anyway guys thanks for all the comments.
Chris

[cruiserman]

Add an overdrive to your TH350.