Dead 700R4 - Now what?

[McCSquare]

I'm pretty sure that I have a nearly useless 700R4. It puked trans fluid out of the dip stick and all over transfer case. Consequently a few things caught fire in the engine bay. I towed it home and found the fluid burned and a fine mud stuck around the magnet in the pan. Overdrive is completely gone, it shifts from 1-3 seemingly fine. But I changed the trans fluid and filter and drove it less than a mile in only 1st and 2nd and the fluid smelled burned again.

So I have a bad 700R4. Now what should I do? I don't have the time nor the knowledge to rebuild it myself. The transmission is an older core, so I won't get anything for it from a transmission shop.

So I was looking at Maddog Transmissions Level 2?

A local shop http://www.shiftritetransmissions.com/700R4_High_Performance.htm

Prices are very comparable, I'm afraid I don't know which build materials are better.

Any other places I should look for a transmission?


And finally... I would like to do the swap myself. Are there any writeups here about doing a tranny swap?

 

[wildcatjason]

There are online videos of how to rebuild this tranny. Google 700r4 rebuild video. I don't remember which company makes it.

 

[McCSquare]

Wildcatjason - I'm afraid that I don't have the time, will, nor tools to rebuild it myself. I've seen the videos and I want a professionally built one. I especially don't want my truck to be immobilized without a tranny while I screw around with it out of the truck.

 

[Jims86]

Those seem pricey, especially without a torque converter.

 

[McCSquare]

Those seem pricey, especially without a torque converter.

For performance built they seemed on par if not inexpensive. I did some searching on eBay and people are asking 1500-2000 for these 700R4s.

If these are too expensive... got any links for cheaper ones?

 

[Jims86]

Well, unless you need a performance rebuild, a local trans shop should be able to rebuild yours, with good quality parts and new TC for around $700 if you take it out.

 

[McCSquare]

Well, unless you need a performance rebuild, a local trans shop should be able to rebuild yours, with good quality parts and new TC for around $700 if you take it out.

The transmission shop here in town told me $2000 for a rebuild with install. I was so shocked that I didn't bother to ask how much it would be for just a rebuild. But I doubt 1300 would be the labor.

I'm thinking a performance build so I can mate a 383 stroker or something strong down the line when this current 350 is done for. And if I'm in for $700 I might as well pony up another 200-300 for something that I won't grow out of.

Currently I'm leaning towards the Mad-Dog transmissions:
L1: 995 build + core + ship + torque converter = 995
L2: 1095 build + core + ship + torque converter = 1095

 

[Jims86]

The transmission shop here in town told me $2000 for a rebuild with install. I was so shocked that I didn't bother to ask how much it would be for just a rebuild. But I doubt 1300 would be the labor.

I'm thinking a performance build so I can mate a 383 stroker or something strong down the line when this current 350 is done for. And if I'm in for $700 I might as well pony up another 200-300 for something that I won't grow out of.

Currently I'm leaning towards the Mad-Dog transmissions:
L1: 995 build + core + ship + torque converter = 995
L2: 1095 build + core + ship + torque converter = 1095

usually around 400 for r&r, an 700 for the rebuild is going rate her in Cali.
if you are going 383, I would suggest setting the truck up with a 4l80 e and be done with it.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Axle gearing/tire size can shorten an auto transmission's life too if the right combo isn't used. Big tires with stock gears like 3.08s will stress/overheat the trans in short order.

 

[8T6K5]

Benifits of going to a 4L80-4L80E?

 

[Jims86]

Stronger trans. used in 3/4 and 1 tons, still an OD trans.

 

[8T6K5]

My point, swap one in.

 

[Jims86]

Will need a controller, but it has been done.

 

[McCSquare]

The idea of wiring in an ECU type controller for a trans is a bit scary. Would I need new driveshafts? Cross members? Etc? I'm also guessing a 4L80E is more expensive as a result of being tougher. I'd like to have this thing back on the road sooner rather than later.

This truck has 35" tires on it, I'm guessing its got factory 1/2 ton axles and gearing as well. I plan to run 30-33" down the road, but I'm trying to space out my spending for now. I plan on running extra cooler with the new trans.

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd say he's on the right idea. $1100 for a WELL BUILT 700r4 and install it himself is best. Around here guys pay $1200-$1500 for a standard local tranny shop rebuild R&R and many of those are just a Jasper Swap job. So for $1100, he's trading his R&R for a better quality built trans. I've watched Mad Dog videos before of his process and what he puts in them. If he is true and doing what he says he does, it's not a powerhouse build, but it's a good quality and better then OE build. Only thing that has kept me from building my 700r4 trans, is it's going to be a Super Duty trans and the parts alone are going to cost me $700+. Monster's are overrated and I know of several people who got their upgraded trans and it failed in no time, and then Monster didn't want to warranty it cuz of off-road use. WTF do you think I bought the upgraded trans for you *********? Then shipping also kills a warranty since you usually have to pay shipping both ways, so get 1 that has a good reputation. Feedback Feedback Feedback !!! GO Read MadDogs FEEDBACK first. Last time I checked a year ago, it was good, realizing you can't please every picky ***** out there.