transmission swap III

[chrpmaster]

Well the saga continues.  After much messing around I have discovered that the tranny from the 82 diesel will not work on my 76 C-10 2wd with 350 gasser.  My mechanic tried all kinds of ways to get it done but something wasn't working. 

So now I need a different tranny.  I saw one on craigslist near me.  It is a 700r4 out of a 92 Chevy.  He only wants $200 and supposedly it only has 92k miles on it but who knows.  Aren't there some kind of electrical/computer controls that I will need to make this work? 

The other option is a guy on Ebay is selling rebuilt 700r4 for around $600.  He has a tranny business and says he has installed some kind of lockup on this that doesn't require any outside electricity or linkage.  I have never heard of that so I was wondering what you guys thought.  Obviously this would be the simplest option and he has great feedback on ebay (over 300 customers with 100% positive).  He even has an 800 number to talk to him.  When I called him he said that I would need the OD shift indicator but nothing else. 

What do you think?

[VileZambonie]

He must have it wired to lock up in 4th gear only via a pressure switch which would require 12V otherwise he is just not using the lock up mode. Why don't you ask him?

[eventhorizon66]

Maybe he installed this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRG-700-LU/.  According to Transgo it eliminates all electrical requirements for lockup.

[chrpmaster]

I asked him about the lockup and he said there was no need for any electrical connection.     Something about the lockup kicks in around 40 mph unless you keep it in 3rd via the gear shifter.  Sounds interesting to me.  I was just wondering if this seemed possible or if I am just buying a problem.

I did contact several of his other customers and ask how their trannys were working.  All of them had good things to say about his service, shipping quickly and the trannys all worked well.  I don't know if any of them had this type of lockout or not but all of them seemed very satisfied.  He also offers a 24 month warranty.

I just don't understand how this "mechanical" lockup works and if it will hold up.  I don't do much heavy hauling or anything extreme.  The engine is bone stock so probably under 200 hp.  I just want the overdrive to make highway driving easier.

Andy

[VileZambonie]

The lock up is applied via an electrical solenoid. I want to know what he's doing to make it function with a correctly rebuilt unit and sell it so cheap.

[HAULIN IT]

Vile, That set-up Event posted is a hydraulic only lock-up, they do not use any electric connection at all. The different strength springs hold against the valve more/less varying at what point the lock-up occurs.  GM used them in a couple years of diesel trucks, I bought one a couple years back, but never installed it. The same idea/kit is available from Transtar/Transmission center. As to the cost vs. properly rebuilt...I would question that also a bit.
 Chirp, You don't need a "computer" for a 700, the TV cable & governor control the shifts. If you want a regular 700 (not one modified with above mentioned kit), you would need some means of a 12v source/kit for lockup only...not to make the transmission shift. Hope this helps clear it up, Lorne 

[chrpmaster]

Thanks for the explanation Haulin.  I question the longevity of this type of rebuilt tranny.  Normally I am skeptical of deals that are "too good to be true" but his many satisfied customers from all areas of the country give me a reason to look at it further.