yes u could get the 700-r4 overdrive 4 speed auto trannyi have it in my truck right now its pretty heavy if u doing by ur self the only thing i could think of the might present a problem is swapping the steering column out i have about 35,000 miles on my rebuild of the tranny and i works great

CaLeB/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif
RiVeR CiTy OfFrOaD

 

If you use the 700r you might be able to get away with a floor shifter, to save yourself the column swap.
Kevin

 

B&M MegaShifter and Light Truck MegaShifter work great on 700r4's with a simple installation. It has been a great additon to my truck. Make sure if you are looking at the 700r4 to consider all of the electrical aspects of it. Especially lock-up controls. Maybe you could look at Painless Wiring's internal control kit that lets the tranny operate itself without signals from the computer, etc.
If you are planning on using a 700r4 in tough use situations, I would recommend internal upgrades to beef it as well as installing a HUGE tranny cooler.

Nich Kenny
'89 K1500 350/700r4

 

Newbie? Hell, I've been on this board since at least last November, before the first transition. Oh Well.

Nich Kenny
'89 K1500 350/700r4

 

i might be able to do that, but has anyone heard about the manual 4-speed overdrive used in the 80's.

 

If you do get a 700R4 make sure you get a later (86-91) one because there were a lot of improvements that they made to it. JET Performance also makes one that has like 40 improvements over stock but it costs around $2000. You could just get one and put in a B&M shift kit, megashifter and the Corvette Servo and extra clutch packs. Alkso make sure you get a cooler and you can also get a B&M deep tranny pan for like $40 at AutoZone etc. Hope this helps.

90K5

 

DESERT CHEVY -- im glad you posted that - gotta coupla questions for you /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif. i posted a few months back and got i think one person who had done it but i dont think it was you. i want to put in the B&M shifter in my truck (i have almost the same truck as you, except mines stepside). ive got the money, just havent had the time to get around to it. but anyways - do you have any pics?? please?? haha. also, someone told me that the computer gets info off of the column shifter. i want to take that off when i put the floor shifter in - did you have to do anything there? they said it would mess up the way the computer worked - im not sure about that. anyways i really appreciate all info you can give me.

Mike ~
/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif Chevys Rule! /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

 

MPHZ71, I know you weren't talking to me, but my stepdad put a Hurst floor shifter in his '89 and didn't have any computer problems. The column shift lever will come off easily, I believe it's just held in with a roll pin.

Evan/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

- Contagious Off-Road -

 

great, i appreciate it shaggy. i didnt think there would be a problem since i dont have the computer controlled tranny but wanted to make sure anyways! now if i can just find the time between work and school.../wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

Mike ~
/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif Chevys Rule! /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

 

Dude there WAS a overdrive manual trans it had 3 regular gears and where 4thwhould be on other transmissions there was an overdrive you could shift into I don't know the model or anything but I just wanted you too know you're not nuts rhere was one of these things.

/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gifI want a 6.6 Duramax please/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

 

Well we are forgetting one imprtant and possibly expensive problem...the case is for a stick and will not bolt up to the 700r4 with out a different input shaft. You might want to get the case thats attached to the 700. It's not as stong as the 205 but has a lower low range. Where are you located at? You didn't fill in your bio. If your in the Atlanta area I may be interested in the 465 and 205 and all the linkages and I'll even help you do the swap so I can get all the parts. I'll even come up with the Auto brake peddle so I can get your clutch and brake peddle If the price is right.

Grim-Reaper

 

80GMC,
I have seen two types of manual overdrives in GM trucks. The best is the nv4500 5 speed. It is very stong and has a granny low. Cost rebuilt is about $2000. The second type is a lighter duty 5 speed close ratio trans without the granny low. Two versions of this have been used, the nv3500 and the getrag. There is also the AA overdrive unit which can be added in front of the SM465.

 

GM used two types of manual OD trans. The nv4500 used in later years has the granny low and the OD. The nv3500 and Getrag are manual OD's without the granny low. Their first gear is about 4:1 compared to the SM465's 6.55:1.

 

Depending upon how things go with two other posters: I have the JET 700/205 setup in my truck right now that I want to change to 465/205. Its all fairly new stuff. I do a lot of farm work and I am concerned with heat from working it continuously (hauling at low speeds) so I want to go back to a manual. I need all hardware from yours though from pedal to trnsfer case along with new HD clutch/ pressure plate/turned flywheel everything ready to bolt in. If the other two don't go through with the venture then I will talk with you if interested (not until though). mail me if your interested bronson@pdcn.net
I have 2200.00 in my setup with 15000 mls on the tranny and 2000 on a rebuilt transfer case. Thanks, Wayne

Everything here is NOT ok!

 

geezer
could you give me more info on the AA overdrive unit.
do you know here i could find one.
what about the nv3500.

 

It is available from Advance Adapters, costs about $1,000 and can handle about 300 ft/lbs of torque - OK for a stock V-8. You can reach them at www.advanceadapters.com or call 1 800 350 2223. By the way, what tire size and axel ratio are you using, and what kind of mileage do you get. I assume you want better gas mileage.

 

I've got to figure out how to post without repeating. The OD unit is available from Advance Adapters for about $1,000. It can handle about 300 ft-lbs torque, OK for a stock V-8. Contact them at www.advanceadapters.com or call 1 800 350 2223. What axel ratio and size tire are you using, and what gas mileage do you get? I assume you want the OD for improved mileage.

 

geezer
i have a gm goodwrench 350, mostly stock
30x9.50 R15 LT
used to have an I-6, so i think i have 3.42 axle, but might be 3.73
when making big trips on the highway iget 9-11 mpg
around town i get 13-14 i think

 

80GMC I'm pretty sure that all trucks that came with an I-6 had 4:10s.
Don't quote me on that buts that what I know.

/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gifI want a 6.6 Duramax please/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

 

80gmc,
I agree, most I-6's had pretty low axel gears. If yours is really a 3.43, the OD probably won't help you very much on mileage. You need to know the gearing before you can determine if the OD is right for you. Jack up one wheel with the truck in neutral, make a chalk mark on the wheel and on the driveshaft. Turn the wheel two complete revolutions and count the number of turns on the driveshaft. If the driveshaft turns 4.1 times, you have 4.11 gears; 3 3/4 times, you have 3.73 etc. If you are doing it alone, tape a piece of string to the drive shaft and let it hang down. Then you can count how many time the string is wound around the shaft. If you jack up both wheels, just turn the wheels one revolution.

 

I believe that there was a Saginaw 4 speed (MANUAL) OD trans used for a few years, but I am pretty sure in 2WD applications only. Never heard of this tranny in a 4X4.

'70 CST Blazer, 350, SM465, NP205.
'87 Suburban 4X4, 350, 700R4
'88 Chevy PU, 4X4, 350, 700R4

 

I think what your referring to is the light duty OD (don't remember the model #), they're the only one's I've seen. Most of them have been swapped out for standard 4 speeds by now. They are basically a car tranny, with shifting levers on the side the same as the car trannys. I don't think they are a real good choice if you'll be doing any offroading (ie: bigger tires) or pulling any loads. I think you'd be better off with a NV4500 if you're set on a manual OD, otherwise the 700 will hold up in light duty applications and is about the cheapest/easiest alternative.

Blazer1970, missed your post the first time I read this thread.....the 2 I converted to regular 4 speeds were factory in 4X4's, but it's been long enough ago I don't remember too many of the specifics of the swap.

 

It probably was me that replied to your previous post Mike. I don't know if there are any problems with the computer taking readings from the column, but a shop told me that the column is a pick-up point and on a diagnostic computer, the reading of what gear the truck is in will read from the column, not the transmission. In an isolated sound area, you can hear a slight variation of engine rpm when the column is changed from park to drive while the transmission is actually in drive.

As far as mechanics of the transmission, I don't think there is any problem since lock-up will still work, etc.

I installed my Megashifter (regular height) just to the passenger side of the transfer case shifter housing (butting up against it) and as far back agains the seat (bench) as possible. A sheet of clearances, dimensions, etc. comes with the kit so you can figure where you can mount the shifter and clear everything. If you have a cup holder mounted under the stock cassette area, you can move it over to the right just enough to clear the shifter and still reach your cups.

To install the cable linkage, it is simple enough to just follow the provided directions. Beware that the cable must not have any quick bends or rub on any moving parts because it is sure death for the cable and maybe the shifter. The hook-up to the transmission is very simple. You may want to have the help of a friend when it comes time to adjust the shifter and tighten it down to the floorboard. Other than that, it is a straightforward installation that you could look to spend a few relaxed hours putting together.

Sorry I don't have any pics on any useable format. I will have some in August. But, if you have any specific questions, email me at UARugger2@aol.com.

Best of Luck,
Nich

Nich Kenny
'89 K1500 350/700r4