Wanting to put an overdrive into my 85

[rs74]

I am contemplating switching over to overdrive. Most of the obvious choice's would be the 700r4. I have been thinking about a 2004r trans since I hear they will bolt right in place without moving the crossmember or mount. I am also under the impression that the lockup and tv cable will hook right up without any conversion. Can someone elaborate on this a little more.

Does this sound right? My 350 is a very mild build and just wanting to get a few more mpg's out of it. I don't know much more about the 2004r other than what I have read and posted here. Is the overdrive gear its own gear or does it run off of the drive gear. What I mean is if the 2004r is installed then will I need to get an overdrive steering column so I can have a 4th gear selector position versus the Th 350 only have three forward drive positions on the column.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The big difference between the 200R4, and 700R4 is the 1st gear ratio. Beyond that they share the same weaknesses of a non-performance trans.

I have heard if you put a OD trans onto a stock column shift your ok. Because the detents are on the trans itself, and not on the steering column.

Myself I am going with the 200R4, and I plan to use it non lock up. The difference in mpg is not much, and with a good trans cooler no loss of life. I will use a 2000 rpm stall so I will gear it so at my final drive speed I am above 2000 rpm. You can run the 700R4 the same way. Provided it is set up to do so.

[rs74]

My 85 came out with 2.73 gears in the ten bolt but I changed over to a twelve bolt and bot sure what gears they are. I know they are alot lower than the 2.73's that were in there. I had heard that the 700's had a lower first gear but the 200r4's gears were closer together.

I will probably look for a 200r4 (2004r) as I am told they are a direct bolt in to the Th350c. I think with the 700's you have to move the crossmember back and cut down the drive shaft but could be wrong about that. If what you are saying about the detent is correct then you just wouldn't be able to get into first gear manually correct?

[rs72z]

The crossmember has to move back with the 700 but it will line up with factory holes in your truck. The drive shaft should not need cutting down if you truck has a original long tailshaft 350 in it.

[homemade87]

I had a 200r in my 82 and run it for years with no problem. One thing about the 200r4 is the 4th gear is a .67 ratio and first is a 2.74. I found that in 4th a 3.08 or lower gear will lug the motor at around 50mph. No way to run lock up. If you go with a 200r4 I would suggest a 3.42 or higher. I think a 3.73 would be just about right from my experience with the 200. The 700r4 has a 3.06 first and a .70 4th. You may be able to get by with a 3.08 or 3.42. I would suggest a 3.42 with the lock up . Even the 3.73 would be ok. If I had to do it all over again I would run the 3.73 with either one with lock up.

[Rich84]

I couldn't be happier with the 700 and .373 gears with 30" tires..2000rpm is around 60-65 mph..Makes for a nice cruiser. If I'm doing a lot of back roads where it is going in and out of lockup a lot , I have a switch to turn off lockup. I don't really do that too often though. As stated earlier it is also a direct bolt in. The holes are already there for the crossmember.

[lilpoindexter]

I don't have any input on auto swap, but I swapped the farmer special three on the tree in my truck with a T5 and my highway mpg went from 13 to 18 mpg. Very nice for long stretches of highway.

[Tattoo98]

Gear vendors overdrive is a great option also. I have one that I used on a G10 van with a built 350 (about 500hp) with th350. Even pulling a trailer loaded with equipment I could cruise at 70mph at around 2500rpm. If you are interested contact me. Not using it because my truck already had a 700r4. They are rated for up to 1200hp also. The nice thing is you just bolt it on.
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[Keckdl]

I have never used a th200, but i have run 350, 400 and 700's as far as autos go. By far ma favorite is the 700. It has a deep first gear and a great overdrive gear.

As far as Rich84 said make sure you wire it up for lockup and put in the switch. TCI has a kit for 3rd and 4th lock up that uses vacuum to help the lock up in town, and a switch to turn it all off.

In regards to fuel economy I am getting 15mpg in tow and 18-20mpg on the highway.

[Keckdl]

Hope this helps

[meatwagon83]

im putting a 4l80e in my 1 ton, but just because i fell into a fresh one for 200 and i can justify the 700 for a controller

[rs74]

If I go ahead and put the 2004r in my truck, then what kind of wiring issues will I have when putting in an overdrive column. Is there a certain year column I should look for over another year? Is everything pretty much plug n play or is there wiring connector differences.

[andrewmp6]

I think it was 82 the 700r4 became a option just check the column for 4 gears not 3.

[dieseltech]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

The big difference between the 200R4, and 700R4 is the 1st gear ratio. Beyond that they share the same weaknesses of a non-performance trans.

I have heard if you put a OD trans onto a stock column shift your ok. Because the detents are on the trans itself, and not on the steering column.

Myself I am going with the 200R4, and I plan to use it non lock up. The difference in mpg is not much, and with a good trans cooler no loss of life. I will use a 2000 rpm stall so I will gear it so at my final drive speed I am above 2000 rpm. You can run the 700R4 the same way. Provided it is set up to do so.

Ummm the 700r4 backed alot of vette engines in the late 80's early 90's. had one in my 89 vette. I also have a 700r4 in my 86 k10. 305 with 3.42 gears and 37" tires. the 200r4 came in the overdrive A body cars like the cutlass and regal usually behind a v6 or a really small v8. personally i'd run the 700 over the 200.

[pwradder]

the t.v cable for a 200/700r relies on more throw then the th350 setup can deliver, you need some adaptor brackets for it to work properly or it will burn up. i still have the three speed auto column in my truck with the 700r swap, only problem is you cant manually downshift to 1st gear. b&m makes a nice lockup kit that lets you change the vehicle speed at which it locks up or can be switched off all together.

[rusty76]

So here's another guestion to add to this. While I know 700 were used alot more in heavy vehicles, like trucks and vettes wouldn't it be wiser to put a 700 in? I always thought that car trans were different than that of truck transmissions? I know years ago my stepfather had an old econoline that the trans went out in, a C4 and he swapped one in from a maverick another C4and it went bad quickly. It was a fairly new trans too. Any thoughts on this?

[rs74]

What would my truck weigh? If the 2004R came out in G body cars then my 79 Cutlass weighs about 3300lbs. Are these trucks somewhere around 4300lbs?

[mopar346]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So here's another guestion to add to this. While I know 700 were used alot more in heavy vehicles, like trucks and vettes wouldn't it be wiser to put a 700 in? I always thought that car trans were different than that of truck transmissions? I know years ago my stepfather had an old econoline that the trans went out in, a C4 and he swapped one in from a maverick another C4and it went bad quickly. It was a fairly new trans too. Any thoughts on this?

Certain trannies have bigger drums to hold more clutches, they are generally associated with larger, heavier, performance oriented or towing type vehicles. Although the Maverick trans was probably a weaker set up chances are there was something else wrong that made it die quickly not just the fact that it was weaker, UNLESS he used the van for some serious work.

I would go with a 700 over a 200, the 700 is basically a 350 with an O/D. I would like to put one in my dually but am concerned about whether it will holdup to heavy towing. Did they use them in 1 tons??

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by dieseltech

Ummm the 700r4 backed alot of vette engines in the late 80's early 90's. had one in my 89 vette. I also have a 700r4 in my 86 k10. 305 with 3.42 gears and 37" tires. the 200r4 came in the overdrive A body cars like the cutlass and regal usually behind a v6 or a really small v8. personally i'd run the 700 over the 200.

The T200R4 came behind the Grand National which is one quick car.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah the 2004r came in all g bodies 81 to 87 even the gnx used it.When i was a kid my grandpa had a 83 el camino and he used it like a truck.He towed his boat with it a lot for years a 3 wheeler when deer season came around.A family member has it now and its still never had a trans put it in yet.

[rs74]

How much more does a short bed 2wd weigh versus a G body.

[meatwagon83]

about 500 pounds

[rs74]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

about 500 pounds

If it is only 500lbs then I can't see it making much difference on the 2004r. I don't think it the extra weight would hurt it. If we are talking 1000-1500lbs then I can start to see that a little more.

[mopar346]

The question is do you use it like a G-body? Are you hat the HP level of a G-body (GNX excluded)? Do you already have a 200? Have a line on a V8 one (60 Vs were different bellhousing)? Why not go for a larger/stronger unit if it is basically the same money and effort?

[rs74]

I pretty much drive my truck like I did in my Cutlass. Sometimes it gets a workout but other times it just gets driven normal. I do have a line on a 200 and if they are a direct bolt in with no mods other than hooking up the lock up then that seems the easier route to go. I don't have the first thing against using a 700.

I am getting this truck out of the shed after sitting since 06 and am am limited on funds at this point. The TH350C thats in it now works just fine but thought I would make the change since this will be more less my DD now. I am trying to get away from the newer vehicles and going back old school. I still have to do the brakes all the way around, get the heads redone, and it needs some interior work. I want to drop it a bit but will wait for new rims before doing that. I can pick the 200 up for $100. I do have a 4L60E but it needs rebuilt and I think it would take more money even after installing it to make it work.

I also had a mild small block chevy in my olds and it probably made a bit more power.