$2200 to swap in a 700r4? (Utah)

[Jahloha]

TEAM:

I am planning my budget for my rebuild and I am planning on swapping a 700r4 in place of the current th350. I researched and found a highly recommend shop in Utah and they quoted me, at max, $2200.

Does this seem like a fair shake?

If you are a member and in Utah, please PM any shops you have personally dealt with and liked or should stay away from. Thanks!

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

TEAM:

I am planning my budget for my rebuild and I am planning on swapping a 700r4 in place of the current th350. I researched and found a highly recommend shop in Utah and they quoted me, at max, $2200.

Does this seem like a fair shake?

If you are a member and in Utah, please PM any shops you have personally dealt with and liked or should stay away from. Thanks!

Does your 350 work? What are your goals with installing a 700r4? Gas mileage? It'll take a hell of a lot of driving to earn you back $2,200 in savings difference

[67ChevyRedneck]

What does that $2,200 include? I would want to make sure they install some kind of correct Throttle Valve cable, some kind of TC brake switch (unlocks TC when you hit brakes).

If they do the above, install a rebuilt 700 with a shortened/balanced driveshaft, I think that's a fair deal. Most rebuilds alone are $8-1,200, not including the case and parts.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Does your 350 work? What are your goals with installing a 700r4? Gas mileage? It'll take a hell of a lot of driving to earn you back $2,200 in savings difference

Good point. I will be using this truck daily, almost all highway miles, and driving upwards to 10K-12K a year. Have you done any work here in state with transmissions?

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

What does that $2,200 include? I would want to make sure they install some kind of correct Throttle Valve cable, some kind of TC brake switch (unlocks TC when you hit brakes).

Yeah, it includes all of that. Although unfamiliar with transmissions, I had read on here enough to learn to ask about those things. Glad this forum is here for us newbies to these trucks.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If that's true that's a fair deal. You're not getting a steal, but you're not being robbed either. It is a bit of work to get everything hooked up and dialed in.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

Good point. I will be using this truck daily, almost all highway miles, and driving upwards to 10K-12K a year. Have you done any work here in state with transmissions?



Yeah, it includes all of that. Although unfamiliar with transmissions, I had read on here enough to learn to ask about those things. Glad this forum is here for us newbies to these trucks.

Here are some numbers to help. I figured gas at $3 a gallon, which is the rate today at Costco for regular unleaded. I figured you'd drive an average of 9k Highway miles, and figured the 700r4 at 17mpg Highway, and the th350 at 12mpg Highway. (your mileage may vary, quite literally). I show you'd save $662 per year in gas, which would take you 3.3 years to earn back, assuming you keep doing the same exact thing, and don't give up and get a civic or something for Highway driving.

9,000÷17
=529.4117647059

529.4117647059×3.00
=1,588.2352941176

9,000÷12
=750

750×3.00
=2,250

2,250−1,588
=662

[cdowns]

what rear ratio does the truck have?

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by cdowns

what rear ratio does the truck have?

Good point. You could go through the hassle of the transmission swap, only to find you aren't saving much (if any fuel), due to improper gears /carb tuning and other issues. Just stuff to keep in mind so you go in with your eyes open. I'll be honest. Makes me cringe to see a transmission swap costing more than my entire truck did lol

[67ChevyRedneck]

True, if your truck is stock, most autos came with a 3.08 rear. That's too high for a 700R, they're happier in these trucks with 3.42 and 3.73's. 4.11's are OK too, but you lose a bit in fuel mileage.

[duallyjams]

It's not cheap but you have figure less rpm on the engine will result in less wear and maintenance also.

[Longhorn 70]

I did mine in 1997. I did all the labor as far is installing. it cost me 1200 dollars back then.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Here are some numbers to help. I figured gas at $3 a gallon, which is the rate today at Costco for regular unleaded. I figured you'd drive an average of 9k Highway miles, and figured the 700r4 at 17mpg Highway, and the th350 at 12mpg Highway. (your mileage may vary, quite literally). I show you'd save $662 per year in gas, which would take you 3.3 years to earn back, assuming you keep doing the same exact thing, and don't give up and get a civic or something for Highway driving.

9,000÷17
=529.4117647059

529.4117647059×3.00
=1,588.2352941176

9,000÷12
=750

750×3.00
=2,250

2,250−1,588
=662

I like how your brain works, I actually crunched the same numbers, just with a different price per gallon. Taking CPI into account. I think that the question comes down also to how long I plan on having/using the truck, which is until I pass it on to my kids 30 years down the road.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by cdowns

what rear ratio does the truck have?

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Good point. You could go through the hassle of the transmission swap, only to find you aren't saving much (if any fuel), due to improper gears /carb tuning and other issues. Just stuff to keep in mind so you go in with your eyes open. I'll be honest. Makes me cringe to see a transmission swap costing more than my entire truck did lol

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

True, if your truck is stock, most autos came with a 3.08 rear. That's too high for a 700R, they're happier in these trucks with 3.42 and 3.73's. 4.11's are OK too, but you lose a bit in fuel mileage.

cdowns, misterB, chevyredneck:

Absolutely, I plan on checking my ratio tonight (I just got the bed off, so easy to check the drive shaft rotations. I do know I am running the H052 in the back end, didn't those just run on 4+ gears?

Originally Posted by duallyjams

It's not cheap but you have figure less rpm on the engine will result in less wear and maintenance also.

This is a thought I have had as well.

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70

I did mine in 1997. I did all the labor as far is installing. it cost me 1200 dollars back then.

Longhorn, we keep crossing paths haha. Your truck upgrades are very similar to what I am trying to get done now: trans, discs (keep the 8 lug!!), etc.

How difficult was the install? Doesnt the drive shaft need to be shorten a inch or so with a th350 to 700r4 swap? I would be afraid to do that and balance it correctly on my own.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I had to shorten mine, but I went from a 3spd manual to 700R.

If I remember right, certain engine/trans combos with a certain 700R (or maybe it was the 200R) tail shaft will actually work without shortening it, but I can't remember which combos. I'd plan on it needing to be shortened, but that should be part of the price/package deal.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by cdowns

what rear ratio does the truck have?

Just looked at the build sheet and saw in box 17, axle is code TJU.

Looked that up and saw I have 4.10 gears. So if this is correct, I am going to double check tonight spinning the wheels. Does this gear ratio go well with the 700r4?

Also, I plan on running a little larger tires if that matters. 285/70R17s. Although unfamiliar, I do know tire size can effect this equation somehow.

[sublime1996525]

Can I ask what shop you were recommended? I know of a really good modern muscle shop but don't know of any place that does older stuff.

[Tachout]

I would be interested in who you are having do the work as well.

The rebuild on the trans I can recommend Gordon Turner here in Utah. He is going to do my 700R4 in my Corvette. I drop off the trans, pick it up in a week or two and $800 is a rebuilt trans (As mine is shot) a new torque converter. He is known in the area to be really great price and does great work.

As for the rest of the work, not sure what they are charging, and what is parts. Post up the break down. Would be interested in how much of it is labor, how much of it is parts, and what they are charging for each.

[slow-1]

I think $2200 is a fair price for the complete swap.

I did mine myself, mine was more work than yours with having to change the column and switch cross members...removing the old cross member was the biggest challenge.

I had my driveshaft shortened at Fleet Pride, they are a national commercial truck repair chain I believe.

If I had the money when I did mine, I would have gladly paid $2200 for someone to do it for me.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by sublime1996525

Can I ask what shop you were recommended? I know of a really good modern muscle shop but don't know of any place that does older stuff.

Originally Posted by Tachout

I would be interested in who you are having do the work as well.

The rebuild on the trans I can recommend Gordon Turner here in Utah. He is going to do my 700R4 in my Corvette. I drop off the trans, pick it up in a week or two and $800 is a rebuilt trans (As mine is shot) a new torque converter. He is known in the area to be really great price and does great work.

As for the rest of the work, not sure what they are charging, and what is parts. Post up the break down. Would be interested in how much of it is labor, how much of it is parts, and what they are charging for each.

Sublime & Tachout:

I have called around and this complete swap price was through Transmission Man in SLC. I wouldn't mind considering doing the swap myself, but just havent found the information I need to feel comfortable doing it. But trust me, if I found a good write up, I have no problem wrenching and do it.

Originally Posted by slow-1

I think $2200 is a fair price for the complete swap.

I did mine myself, mine was more work than yours with having to change the column and switch cross members...removing the old cross member was the biggest challenge.

I had my driveshaft shortened at Fleet Pride, they are a national commercial truck repair chain I believe.

If I had the money when I did mine, I would have gladly paid $2200 for someone to do it for me.

Thats good to know. What year are you running? Why did you have to swap the cross members?

[classicchev]

4.10 and overdrive?? Trailblazer SS use it and its alot of fun to drive... 6.2 L though, and a couple of horsepower more, but Im sure it will still be fun..

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by classicchev

4.10 and overdrive?? Trailblazer SS use it and its alot of fun to drive... 6.2 L though, and a couple of horsepower more, but Im sure it will still be fun..

Define "fun" haha. I only ask because my goal is daily driver (65 on the highway, decent mpg, and reliability). Haha.

[WIDESIDE72]

$2200 seems fair with a turn key deal if done right. I swapped a 700r4 into my latest 72 swb step and it didnt cost me but about $50. I had the recently rebuilt trans out of a suburban i parted and i only needed a new tv cable and bracket. I parted the truck and made money AND got the trans. Thats how i roll! Another thing to take into consideration when contemplating an overdrive swap is the extended life you will get from the engine due to the lower operating speeds brought by the higher final gear. You will also experience less noise at highway speeds.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Another thing fo take into c

Post got cut off WideSide

[sublime1996525]

Transmission Man. Good to know. Tachout good to see you here. There are a few UMCA guys I recognize.

[classicchev]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

Define "fun" haha. I only ask because my goal is daily driver (65 on the highway, decent mpg, and reliability). Haha.

You can cruise nicely in overdrive, get good mileage , pull anything you want; but if you want to lay some rubber and have a little fun you can drop it in D