About to purchase 700R . What to expect?

[dcmulisha]

I am about to purchase a 700R that come out of a 1993 blazer to put into my 66 fleetside replacing the TH350 that I currently have and am trying to get a clear answer on exactly what I can expect. What hurdles are awaiting? What additional items am I going to have to purchase to make everything work properly? Any one who has already lived thru the experience and could help prepare me would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[timjt]

I think I was told i would have to get a different torque converter (which is a good idea anyway if your replacing the transmission) I've seen threads on this sort of conversion before, have you tried a thread search?

[steverino66]

The 93 will have electronics, different setup for speedo cable.
TV cable/bracket setup for shift control is critical - if you can't use the factory setup from the donor (93 likely has fuel injection?), you'll need a custom setup for your carb/manifold. Bowtieoverdrives.com sells them, kind of pricey.
The 700 is 3" longer unless you have the long tail shaft 350, so that means moving the rear mount crossmember back and shortening the driveshaft.
There are threads here about 4th-gear lockup switch setup if you search.
Good luck.

[jchav62]

I had a 93 Chevy pickup and it had a 4L60E, which is basically a 700r4 that is all electronic, computer controlled. You may need to make sure it's a 700. You can run a 4L60E with a stand alone controller, but those units are pretty pricey.

[tenni126]

I just swapped out my TH400 for a 700R4...I used the same crossmember (which came out of a 79 'burb) but had to move it a bit. Biggest thing is the TV cable setup...bad things can happen if not setup right. But with the proper bracket and some how-to research, there's no black magic involved. Mine's a Gearstar setup, not used, and came with an auto-lockup solonoid, so I can't help you there. BUT, it's well worth the effort. I'm turning something like 2200-2300 RPM at 70 now, instead of 32-3400.

[Clyde65]

PM Cleinbarger, he will give you the skinny on a 700, maybe a 200r4 is better for you, ask him.

[dcmulisha]

I just searched for Cleinbarger and nothing was found. Is Cleinbarger correct?

[Clyde65]

Sorry bud, I had a stupid attack again, try Clinebarger

[MikeM]

Originally Posted by dcmulisha

I am about to purchase a 700R that come out of a 1993 blazer to put into my 66 fleetside replacing the TH350 that I currently have and am trying to get a clear answer on exactly what I can expect. What hurdles are awaiting? What additional items am I going to have to purchase to make everything work properly? Any one who has already lived thru the experience and could help prepare me would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

I just did this in my 72, it was pretty easy. The output shaft was the same size so the yoke fit right on. You'll need the converter from the 700 for sure, its different than the th350's.
You'll need a wiring kit from tci (or make your own) to get the converter to lock. It generates a lot of heat in OD if its not locked.
And you'll need to shorten your driveshaft by an inch and a half. Its not hard to do but does require a grinder, a large wheeled pipe cutter, and a welder, in that order.

[skoffice]

I haven't personally done the swap but I would recommend the OD lockup mentioned above. I have heard MANY times that the key to keeping these transmissions alive is keeping the heat down in OD. Put a good cooler on it. Also as mentioned, make sure you get the TV cable adjusted properly (if it is indeed a 700) because that is supposed to be very crucial. Before doing my LS swap with the computer controlled trans, I had a 700 behind my 327 and was going to set it up as best I could and have a good tranny shop double check it as soon as I got it driving.

[skysoldier173rd]

This file helped me immensely. Hope i can up load it. You can go with the vacumn switch to control the overdrive or put a toggle on the dash if you please. That's what i did and i'm happy with it. I got this from a guy on this board and it was the best of all the info i got on this project.

www.picturetrail.com/skysoldier173rd

[protrash64]

You will need a dual-drilled flex plate for the new convertor bolt pattern.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

PM Cleinbarger, he will give you the skinny on a 700, maybe a 200r4 is better for you, ask him.

Thanks Clyde.

Originally Posted by dcmulisha

I am about to purchase a 700R that come out of a 1993 blazer to put into my 66 fleetside replacing the TH350 that I currently have and am trying to get a clear answer on exactly what I can expect. What hurdles are awaiting? What additional items am I going to have to purchase to make everything work properly? Any one who has already lived thru the experience and could help prepare me would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

A 93 blazer whould have a 4L60E...Not a good choice for your truck. Double check the year.

Used/stock transmissions are a gamble. You will need to make the lock-up work & make sure the TV cable is adjusted properly & have the correct geometry at the carb linkage (verified with a pressure gauge).

DO NOT try to cut your own driveshaft....The u-joints need to be "phased" correctly & then balenced.

[dcmulisha]

Well all this sounds within reason but I guess before I fully commit to this I should atleast ask the question. Is this the best route? Is there a "plug and play" route or at least a replacement for the th350 3speed that does not require as much additional work (ie., drive shaft, lock up, tv cable)? I'm not completely set on the 700R. I am simply looking for a replacement to the 3speed so that I can keep my current rearend and cruise at 70mph without turning 4000rpms.

[Clyde65]

a 200r4 might be a better option.

[67swb72klb]

or u can use the 200r4 more direct replacment same length or go with the gear vendors aux od it is actualy a gear spliter u will hav 6 gears w/350 or 400 trans they are very good units but u hav to pay about 3k for them

[cris well]

what issues would be involved with switching from a turbo 400 to a 2004r?

i found a pic somewhere and the short 400 and the 200 were about the same length and i think the crossmember mount was in the same place as well.

other than changing the yolk what else?

[jchav62]

Originally Posted by dcmulisha

Well all this sounds within reason but I guess before I fully commit to this I should atleast ask the question. Is this the best route? Is there a "plug and play" route or at least a replacement for the th350 3speed that does not require as much additional work (ie., drive shaft, lock up, tv cable)? I'm not completely set on the 700R. I am simply looking for a replacement to the 3speed so that I can keep my current rearend and cruise at 70mph without turning 4000rpms.

Is your th350 a long or a short tail. My lady's '65 had a long tail th350 in and we replaced it with a 700r4 and we were able to use the same driveshaft. I think we only had to slide the crossmember back an inch. That was just a matter of drilling a couple holes on the framerail. I believe a shorttail th350 and a 200r4 are the same length. If I'm wrong, I'm sure I'll be corrected.

[777ralph]

As Clinebarger said, the 93 trans will create more problems because it is electronically controlled. Don't buy it. 92 and earlier are an easier swap, make sure it has a cable speedo. the electrics for the 92 and earlier trans are just for convertor lockup, not trans control. Replace your brakelight switch with one that has cruise control, and wire the convertor through that. Gives you 12v to the convertor until you touch the brakes, then cuts it off, unlocking the convertor. I had to have the driveshaft shortened for my 700r4 swap. check trans lengths, and see if a 200r4 would avoid that if you'd rather not do the driveshaft.
Ralph

[Clyde65]

check this out gives the length and all for all GM tranny's

http://www.phoenixtrans.com/html/faq.html

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by dcmulisha

Well all this sounds within reason but I guess before I fully commit to this I should atleast ask the question. Is this the best route? Is there a "plug and play" route or at least a replacement for the th350 3speed that does not require as much additional work (ie., drive shaft, lock up, tv cable)? I'm not completely set on the 700R. I am simply looking for a replacement to the 3speed so that I can keep my current rearend and cruise at 70mph without turning 4000rpms.

As far as the driveshaft goes we need to know if your TH350 is long or meduim tailhousing. A 2004R will still need the lock-up & TV cable.

A alternative whould be a 3.08:1 rearend swap.

[dcmulisha]

The rearend swap is sounding more and more appealing. I have a 12bolt 6lug which I know is 8-7/8 but I'm not positive what is in it. I know its large but not sure exactly. I'm planning on figuring it out tonight.

[gabe2000]

Originally Posted by dcmulisha

I am about to purchase a 700R that come out of a 1993 blazer to put into my 66 fleetside replacing the TH350 that I currently have and am trying to get a clear answer on exactly what I can expect. What hurdles are awaiting? What additional items am I going to have to purchase to make everything work properly? Any one who has already lived thru the experience and could help prepare me would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Be carefull!!! The 700r4 from astros vans and blazer have the same setup in the cluthes. They have less then the full size trucks. I talked the to a transmission tech and they recommend to use a full size truck trany or rebuilt the tranny and add more cluthes.

[**grumpy**]

whats the most common car/truck that came with 200R4? I remember having a 85 Monte SS that had one but what else.
Im thinking thats route Im taking.

[Clyde65]

grand nationals had them, regals with v8's and cars such as that is what im finding