700R4 Shift Kit Recs

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

My truck's 700R4 is good as far as I can tell, but I think the PO put a ****** (probably B&M or the like) shift kit in it, and I think the kit's ****** 1-2 accumulator spring broke. I've got late shifts with a good TV cable setting, a nasty 1-2 shift that wants to throw you out of the truck, and it's really squirrely in OD. By that, I mean it would much rather be in third, and when it's finally sitting pretty in fourth, it'll over exaggerate the need to shift back to third, and the cycle repeats. I'm guessing it has something to do with the off kilter shift parameters and/or the TCC is unlocking too easily. I'm no transmission expert, but that's my hypothesis. I know it was discussed in the effed TH400 thread, but there seemed to be varying conjecture. I want a crisp shift to eliminate slippage, but I'd like to keep it low on the spectrum in that respect. The Transgo seems good, but what do you guys think? Is there something outside of the mainstream that could be overlooked?

 

[shiftpro]

Well I don't have the experience as my 700 is still hiding and not in a truck shifting. I bought this tran from an old geezer who has been building them for 40 years. He is retired now but still rebuilds at home. He's well known around Vancouver BC. He was considered a 700 specialist by the hot rod gang. He said the Transgo is the one and only to use. Said the BM shifts too hard and blah blah much of what Jesse said above. Causes other problems down the road.
And for curiosity... he states that there is a big difference building 700 for street/strip fun vs. 4x4 truck/pulling.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Well I don't have the experience as my 700 is still hiding and not in a truck shifting. I bought this tran from an old geezer who has been building them for 40 years. He is retired now but still rebuilds at home. He's well known around Vancouver BC. He was considered a 700 specialist by the hot rod gang. He said the Transgo is the one and only to use. Said the BM shifts too hard and blah blah much of what Jesse said above. Causes other problems down the road.
And for curiosity... he states that there is a big difference building 700 for street/strip fun vs. 4x4 truck/pulling.

He is correct B&M is ****, Transgo is the only way to go, for any tranny for that matter..

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

As far as use goes, nothing too fancy. Cruising, errands, and pulling small loads. I figured the Transgo was the one to go with. The thing that worries me is not knowing how long mileage wise that garbage has been in there, and if it's caused any damage with all that horse and buggy shifting. Jeez, I know what stock shifting 700R4s and TH400s feel like, and it's not that at all. When I serviced the transmission, there weren't any of the destroyed transmission clues in the pan, but I worry about the stuff external to the transmission that could be affected by those shifts.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Easy shift kit switch to type F

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I've seen you mentioning that before. What does the Type F do over the Dexron III?

 

[shiftpro]

Easy shift kit switch to type F

Oh that's an old trick... cool you know about it.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Oh that's an old trick... cool you know about it.

That’s all I run in my GM autos and have for many years.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I've seen you mentioning that before. What does the Type F do over the Dexron III?

Firmer shifts. Type F doesn’t have the “squishy” agent that produces granny shifts like Dextron does. Lincoln’s use Dextron lol

 

[Honky Kong jr]

It’s basically like B&M trick shift just way way cheaper. Pretty much if I go to Wally World I will buy the 3 or 4 bottles they have on the shelf lol type F that is

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The thing that worries me is not knowing how long mileage wise that garbage has been in there, and if it's caused any damage with all that horse and buggy shifting... I worry about the stuff external to the transmission that could be affected by those shifts.

For example, I know I can sometimes hear a "woooo" sound coming from the rear diff. If I let off the gas, it'll go away. Otherwise, I know I'm okay on the flexplate and the motor and trans mounts. I worry about that G80 grenading on me from prior abuse or stress from that choppy transmission output. God, I'm so weak when it comes to trans, t-case, and rear end stuff. I really need to get it together on that.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

For example, I know I can sometimes hear a "woooo" sound coming from the rear diff. If I let off the gas, it'll go away. I worry about that G80 grenading on me from prior abuse or stress from that choppy transmission output. God, I'm so weak when it comes to trans, t-case, and rear end stuff. I really need to get it together on that. Otherwise, I'm okay on the flexplate and the motor and trans mounts.

Find junk stuff and take it apart see what’s inside and first and foremost don’t hold your self back or be intimidated it’s just nuts and bolts

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I agree. I’m gonna get into the transfer case pretty soon. I’ve got a small leak, although I haven’t looked to see if it’s a seal or if it’s leaking at the split.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I agree. I’m gonna get into the transfer case pretty soon. I’ve got a small leak, although I haven’t looked to see if it’s a seal or if it’s leaking at the split.

Well if you pull it apart have a tub of auto trans assembly lube handy to stick the double stacked needle bearings to the shaft. Also pack rags around the inside of the case so the needle bearings don’t fall into the planetary assembly because that’s where they are gonna go. And definitely replace the selector feet Main killer of the 208 is misengagement

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Thanks for the tips!