Thoughts on going to a 4spd overdrive?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,135
Reaction score
4,984
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
My favorite part of this is the 1 sided opinions based on very limited experiences in life

"one time some .... uh ... i think 700r4 blew up ... and uh... one day i put in what i uh... think was a th400,... and uh, my underpowered motor didnt blow it up... so uh.... 700r4 bad, and if you dont follow my path, you're gonna have all sorts of problems, because my 1 opinion defines all automotive standards"
lol... weren't you just telling me that you think you blew up something in your 700R4... again:Big Laugh:

Granted, you are blowing them up with neutral drops and big tire offroading... but it still cracks me up that you have blown your own built 700R4 up more than once:burnout::cheers:
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,871
Reaction score
14,885
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
lol... weren't you just telling me that you think you blew up something in your 700R4... again:Big Laugh:

Granted, you are blowing them up with neutral drops and big tire offroading... but it still cracks me up that you have blown your own built 700R4 up more than once:burnout::cheers:

The 4L60e in my 1 ton solid axle swapped s10? Yes, ive broken it probably 5 times now offroading, or in general getting drunk af and beating it to death, i really dont care about it or what breaks.
The last time, i was doing a rolling burnout offroad with a cut and scooped 39.5" bogger, and slammed it in reverse and twisted the sunshell.
And ive done numerous neutral drops with it.

The burbs 700r4? No, i didnt build that, i bought it, and repaired the builders failure to replace damaged components. After that, no issues
 
Last edited:

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,871
Reaction score
14,885
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Im not saying a 700r4 is the best transmission ever, but im strongly disagreeing its junk.
Under NORMAL , RESPECTFUL usage it wont quit.

If you wana push big hp, or big tires, i'd really recommend a 4L80e or a th400, or if you like manuals, a nv4500.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,734
Reaction score
9,526
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Lmao.

I stand on the statements..which are timeless.

700r4s are junk.
Turbo 400s are the bomb.
Ruin something else ,that would be better.


Woman Who’s Good At Driving Wondering If She Might Be Transgender

You must be registered for see images attach


 
Last edited:

Matt69olds

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Posts
2,338
Reaction score
3,569
Location
Central Indiana
First Name
Matt
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
GMC 1/2 ton
Engine Size
455 Olds
Lmao.

I stand on the statements..which are timeless.

700r4s are junk.
Turbo 400s are the bomb.
Ruin something else ,that would be better.


Woman Who’s Good At Driving Wondering If She Might Be Transgender

You must be registered for see images attach



I’m curious why you are so insistent 700/4L60E are junk? While you will get no argument from me they are definitely not the most durable trans, in the right application my experience has been pretty positive.
 

Green79Scottsdale

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Posts
2,834
Reaction score
7,483
Location
G.R. - MI
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
I’m curious why you are so insistent 700/4L60E are junk? While you will get no argument from me they are definitely not the most durable trans, in the right application my experience has been pretty positive.

Same reasoning as all 400 sbc's overheat because siamesed bores.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,734
Reaction score
9,526
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
The problem is most people don’t want to pay for the upgrades to make them live.

See?Junk.

Reader,
How long did GM make turbo 400s?
Compared to how long did they make 700s?
Which was used in more vehicles?
You must be registered for see images attach

Which do ya figure moves more vehicles - today?

Bros. Your knickers are in a ball - maybe you should have a Snickers first huh?
 
Last edited:

Green79Scottsdale

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Posts
2,834
Reaction score
7,483
Location
G.R. - MI
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
Lol! Damn... pigeon named Kettle, meet pigeon named Pot!
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,135
Reaction score
4,984
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
See?Junk.

Reader,
How long did GM make turbo 400s?
Compared to how long did they make 700s?
Which was used in more vehicles?
You must be registered for see images attach

Which do ya figure moves more vehicles - today?

Bros. Your knickers are in a ball - maybe you should have a Snickers first huh?
TH400 was first manufactured in 1964 and was last OEM installed in vehicles in 1991, when it was replaced by the 4L80E. That makes 27 years of production

700R4 was first installed in 1982, became a 4L60 in 1990, then became the 4L60E in 1993. They were finally phased out of production to be replaced by 6L80E and then 8L80E transmissions starting around 2008. Which makes 26 years of production.

I would say there are FAR more 700R4, 4L60, and 4L60E's installed than there were TH400. TH400 was only for some heavy duty equipped 3/4 ton and heavier vehicles. The 700R4 and 4L60E's were put in everything lighter than that, which is many millions of vehicles.
 

Matt69olds

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Posts
2,338
Reaction score
3,569
Location
Central Indiana
First Name
Matt
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
GMC 1/2 ton
Engine Size
455 Olds
Beat me to it.

I have said before, and I have done it many times before, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a 700 behind a mild big block, but only if the owner is willing to spend the money on the proper upgrades.

Having said that, unless you plan to beat on the truck like it owes you money, planning on big power upgrades, there is no way I would ever suggest anyone swap a running 700 for a 400 just because the the 700 is “junk”. And if the truck is stock, just rebuild the 700. The money spent on conversion part to install a 400 are far more than the upgrades to the 700. The lower 1st gear improves drivablilty, and the overdrive help the fuel economy. Win win.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,085
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
I would say there are FAR more 700R4, 4L60, and 4L60E's installed than there were TH400. TH400 was only for some heavy duty equipped 3/4 ton and heavier vehicles. The 700R4 and 4L60E's were put in everything lighter than that, which is many millions of vehicles.

That would surprise me. So where are they all now? You can still find 400s in every junk yard and farmers field. 700..s not so much.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,085
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
No one mentions that 700s are very expensive to rebuild when compared to everything else. Try building one up stronger than stock,
look out.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,734
Reaction score
9,526
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
That's a great point..ya know I bet you could build two or three turbo 400s for the cost of one of them p_ssy overdrives.

Let's get real (who am I kidding) how many gears do you think is necessary for the next run to macdonalds anyway? Savin gas are ya? Gonna save the planet better with your 4 inch lift and 35s or do ya think its best to stick with 2 inches and 32s?
Big block or bust.
Overdrive.
Gas mileage.
VORTEX HEDS BABY!
You must be registered for see images attach
fix.everything.
 
Last edited:

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,882
Reaction score
9,622
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
^That I can agree with.
But to get back to the OPs vehicle and use, regardless of its relevance a year later, HE needs OD in that rig for his use and particular vehicle.
If I was gonna use the Freedom Wagon or anything similar for a daily, I’d drop an OD trans in it. But like you said, what are you saving with a big block 4” lift and 35s? Nothing really, so I’d lose the big block, lift, tires and gears if I actually cared about fuel economy
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,850
Posts
903,460
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top