February 12, 201016 yr I need a '88-'92 Chevy or GMC 4X4 700R4 transmission by tomorrow at the latest. Any ideas?
February 12, 201016 yr Author Our junkyards suck (and are under 3+ feet of snow). I need to find one of these on a shelf somewhere, out of the vehicle.
February 12, 201016 yr Our junkyards suck (and are under 3+ feet of snow). I need to find one of these on a shelf somewhere, out of the vehicle. GM dealer?
February 12, 201016 yr Call around? I'm sure one will have an transmission already out. Hell if you wanna drive I know of a couple in the area that will probably have one.
February 12, 201016 yr I probed CG a bit for you. '84 model 700R4 with transfer case for $350: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1591348842.html This probably isn't what you're looking for, but nevertheless: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1597852934.html Another one out of an F-Body: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1588330249.html Another one (sadly) out of a SyTy truck: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1589345358.html And another: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1594783760.html Edited February 12, 201016 yr by whiteknight
February 12, 201016 yr Author Thanks guys. WK: Seen all of those, I'm told none of them will work. Has to be an early EFI truck. It seems that parts and reman units are largely not available anymore, been through all of the local dealer's contacts already.
February 12, 201016 yr WK: Seen all of those, I'm told none of them will work. Has to be an early EFI truck. Is your transmission a 4L60 or 4L60-E? If it was a 4L60, I actually want to say the '84 model transmission I linked to should work, regardless of EFI. I'm not 100 percent sure, though. Obviously, the 4L60 wouldn't work in a truck with a 4L60-E. Perhaps this chart would help? http://www.gmautomatictransmissions.com/transmission_applications.php EDIT: Well, the ECM is a factor I didn't really consider, so now I'm really unsure. Edited February 12, 201016 yr by whiteknight
February 12, 201016 yr Author Thanks BP! I'm going to call Al's Auto in Trevose in the morning. Satty: Yeah, I still have the Tahoe. I would never raid it for the trans even if it was the right one (which it isn't).
February 13, 201016 yr Author Is your transmission a 4L60 or 4L60-E? If it was a 4L60, I actually want to say the '84 model transmission I linked to should work, regardless of EFI. I'm not 100 percent sure, though. Obviously, the 4L60 wouldn't work in a truck with a 4L60-E. Perhaps this chart would help? http://www.gmautomatictransmissions.com/transmission_applications.php EDIT: Well, the ECM is a factor I didn't really consider, so now I'm really unsure. Yep, the ECM is the issue. I have to have one with all the right connections, has to be 4x4, has to be a 700R4 and not a 4L60, has to be a TBI truck, etc.
February 13, 201016 yr People do wacky things out of desperation. They might even sneak out and find a similar truck, steal it, do a quick and dirty surgery and go on their merry way. Not that I would condone such behavior, just saying that it is something someone could do.
February 13, 201016 yr Yep, the ECM is the issue. I have to have one with all the right connections, has to be 4x4, has to be a 700R4 and not a 4L60, has to be a TBI truck, etc. 1980s engine electronics are a headache. Your truck is either an '88 or '89, too. That's something else I wasn't sure of.
February 13, 201016 yr Author People do wacky things out of desperation. They might even sneak out and find a similar truck, steal it, do a quick and dirty surgery and go on their merry way. Not that I would condone such behavior, just saying that it is something someone could do. Very true. This would be a tough one though, without a lift, air tools, and tranmission jack. I'm not even tempted.
February 13, 201016 yr Author 1980s engine electronics are a headache. Your truck is either an '88 or '89, too. That's something else I wasn't sure of. Yeah, it's an '89. Stuff becomes sooo obsolete soooo quickly these days. I didn't anticipate not being able to buy a reman unit.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Believe it or not, it is far easier to deal with this with a TH400 - even in these years.
February 13, 201016 yr Yeah, it's an '89. I was thinking '91 for some reason. Stuff becomes sooo obsolete soooo quickly these days. I didn't anticipate not being able to buy a reman unit. Honestly, there isn't much that doesn't become obsolete overnight. I can't think of one consumer product, cars or whatever, that's an exception to the rule. It's a little bit ridiculous.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Unfortunately, parts support has eroded badly in recent years. It's easier to get parts for an ancient musclecar than anything from the 80s and 90s now.
February 13, 201016 yr Yep, the ECM is the issue. I have to have one with all the right connections, has to be 4x4, has to be a 700R4 and not a 4L60, has to be a TBI truck, etc. Just a stupid thought, but why not disconnect the ECM to tranny link and see who the current busted tranny runs. I would think it would still function well enough and not do any damage... but you'll get a CEL. Then you could use a "regular" 4x4 ready 700r4 to get by and fix it right later.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Just a stupid thought, but why not disconnect the ECM to tranny link and see who the current busted tranny runs. I would think it would still function well enough and not do any damage... but you'll get a CEL. Then you could use a "regular" 4x4 ready 700r4 to get by and fix it right later. Not a bad idea!
February 13, 201016 yr I'd remove the electronic junk off of this truck personally. It would make it so much easier to patch up. Find a carb'd SB350/TH400 combo and drop it in.
February 13, 201016 yr Looking up the tranny in the Hollander shows quite a few donor vehicles... Its a 1904B, but 1904A interchanges, as one has a aux valve body. Seems to be pretty common 1983-1989 4x4s. Its a long list. If you want I can scan it, but its likely easier to just ask me... pretty much everything 4x4 and gas... goes to 1992 in Suburbans.
February 13, 201016 yr Author If I'm not getting everything assbackwards, the ECM controls transmission functions, tells it when it should shift, controls the torque-converter lock up, and so on. Without the trans hooked up to it, you'll be sitting. My problem is knowing how to get rid of '80s model engine electronic systems, not work with them. Actually, Camino, that's what I would do with your plow truck, get rid of the ECM so that the truck is simpler and easier to patch up. It can be done with the EFI motor in your truck. Or do you have to keep it for emissions testing? Legality is an option for this truck - I don't really care if it is legal. It just has to push snow (and be able to back-up) I'm told there are conversion kits to put a TH400 in this truck, but I don't care about it enough to do that.
February 13, 201016 yr Legality is an option for this truck - I don't really care if it is legal. It just has to push snow (and be able to back-up) If a cop pulls you over, just push a big pile of snow around him and escape!
February 13, 201016 yr Author Looking up the tranny in the Hollander shows quite a few donor vehicles... Its a 1904B, but 1904A interchanges, as one has a aux valve body. Seems to be pretty common 1983-1989 4x4s. Its a long list. If you want I can scan it, but its likely easier to just ask me... pretty much everything 4x4 and gas... goes to 1992 in Suburbans. Thanks! That sounds promising as I saw one from an '84 shortbed on CL that is close by and cheap. I found out the hard way that '92 is the cut-off at that end. The dealership had a junk '93 brought in and discovered that the trans was wrong only after it was out...
February 13, 201016 yr Author If a cop pulls you over, just push a big pile of snow around him and escape! LOL! I find that the cops hide during snowstorms, and I rarely take this truck off of the property.
February 13, 201016 yr Legality is an option for this truck - I don't really care if it is legal. It just has to push snow (and be able to back-up) I'm told there are conversion kits to put a TH400 in this truck, but I don't care about it enough to do that. Definitely buy a cheap SBC MSD ignition kit, intake manifold, and carb and get to town on ripping that ECM out of there then. Your plow truck would be so much easier to patch up afterward. Edited February 13, 201016 yr by whiteknight
February 13, 201016 yr 1984: Blazer/Jimmy FS '83-86 AT, gas Chevy/GMC Pickup Tr. '82-86 AT, 4x4, TH700, gas Suburban '82-86 AT 4x4 TH700, gas These are 1904As, so you may have to swap the speedo from cable to electronic. Might screw up ABS, but I think you could live with that.
February 13, 201016 yr Author 1984: Blazer/Jimmy FS '83-86 AT, gas Chevy/GMC Pickup Tr. '82-86 AT, 4x4, TH700, gas Suburban '82-86 AT 4x4 TH700, gas These are 1904As, so you may have to swap the speedo from cable to electronic. Might screw up ABS, but I think you could live with that. Great info, Thanks!
February 13, 201016 yr I love threads like this. Other threads people are complaining about fit and finish, interior plastics, navigation and cup holder counts... This thread: Legality optional, ABS broken, no Speedo, disable the ECM, Only needs first and reverse! This is my kinda thread. In other news, I'll be probably looking for a gently used 4T65E-HD soon.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Yeah, it would be fun if the damn snow didn't have me so stressed-out! The ROPOS will ride again.
February 13, 201016 yr Yeah, it would be fun if the damn snow didn't have me so stressed-out! The ROPOS will ride again. I hear ya. I have to step up the fixing of the Caprice (broken for one year, ugh!), so I have something when the Bonne's tranny gives out... but the garage is too tight... I have to be halfway outside in the snow! And the garage leaks, so I have meltwater on the floor... not prime car working time.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Uh oh, bad news, seems the one I've located is still in the truck and they won't pull it 'til the snow is gone. The hunt continues...
February 13, 201016 yr Author Just struck a deal with a guy that has one, hope to pick it up in the AM tomorrow.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Whew! It's been a long, frustrating, day fighting all of the idiots relieving their cabin fever. Traffic everywhere, and accidents too, but I finally managed to get a transmission and deliver it to the shop. With any luck, the ROPOS will be ready for monday night's storm. I'm exhausted and stressed-out, but I've done all I can do to make it happen.
February 13, 201016 yr It'll be nice to have reverse again Camino, I know I'm very happy now that the Grand Marquis has reverse again.
February 13, 201016 yr Author That's for sure. It will also be nice to really get the driveway(s) clear again. I feel naked without a plow truck.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Thanks, Ocn. To be honest, I'll be fine with the install being fast and dirty as long as it gets the job done.
February 13, 201016 yr It shouldn't take long for Camino to make the swap. It took under a half-day's time total to swap the engine and trans out in my old Regal. A transmission-only swap shouldn't take longer than that.
February 13, 201016 yr Author Lacking a lift (and some other goodies), I won't be doing the swap myself. The local Chevy shop is on the job.
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