The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 200R4 or 700R4 Under A 37 1/2 Ton Pickup

Got a new 62 261 engine for my pickup and thinking about backing it up with an automatic. Has anyone put a 200R4 or a 700R4 under a 37 pickup. I do have an open drive line with a T-5 now. Which of the two is the better choice?

An automatic? Say it aint so, Joe.

I've never put an automatic behind a 'bolt, but I do know you need an adapter plate. Most of the vendors sell them. On which is the better transmission. I'm voting for the 700R4. GM started using the 700R4 in 82 and continued with the 700R4/4L60 line until a couple years ago. They had lots of problems with the early ones though. Mainly because the front pump couldn't supply enough fluid to the transmission. They fixed the problem by 85. The 700R4/4L60 from 85-92, didn't rely on the ECM to do it's job. Most transmissions from 92 on up were the 4L60E. They needed the ECM for torque converter lockup, shift management and other things. The good thing them is that the internals are pretty much completely interchangable, with the exception of the valve body. So, all the updates GM did over the years, will work on just about any of the transmissions. A stock rebuild and a Transgo shiftkit will more than suffice for any old truck. You'll be happy with it. Go to www.transmissioncenter.net , they have tons of hardcore parts for the 700R4, the guys are also very helpful.

Chris

Don't shoot the 2004R to early. Built right it's a very good transmission too. I'm installing one in a 50 pickup I'm building from the ground up.

I've never worked on a 2004R. They lived behind Turbo 6's, so they can't be all that bad. Availability would be the big issue with it though. There's probably a 100 700R4/4L60's for every 2004R out there. Not to mention all of the aftermarket parts.

Joe,

One of the 261's in my stash came with an automatic and as such I have a flexplate/ring gear I'll never use. It's yours if you can make use of it.

Curt

Joe, you know I'm running a V8 so my opinion may not be worth much. However, I did take the 350 tranny out and put in a 700R4 about two years ago. Man, I love the 700R4...so much so I have one sitting in my floor waiting for my next project.

I understand about going to automatic. My legs and back give me a fit everyday and I like the comfort... or I'm just plain lazy!

Joe,

The guys from Hammond transmission will probably be at the DFW swap meet in a couple of weeks. I got a 2004R from them that I'm putting in my 57 3100 behind a 250. They seemed quite knowledgeable and reasonably priced. I went with the 2004R because it is a lighter duty trans and has less parasitic loss. But still plenty capable of handling the power levels I'll have. A slightly smaller core means it fit the 57 with no mods to the floor pan.

I'll be interested in your T5 setup for my 55.1 3100 if you decide to replace it.

regards,
Leon

The 2004R is gaining popularity. Even in the racing circuits. It is a little shorter than the 700R4 or the 4L60. So it can be an easier fit in some applications. Not any thing wrong with the 4L60 either. I've used both and been pleased with both. Both transmissions had problems early on, but once the bugs were worked out, they both became dependable.

Go to www.rowand.net/shop/tech/automaticoverdrivetransmissionswap.htm

It has lots of info comparing pretty much ALL of the GM automatics.