700r4 rebuild?

[82apache]

'82 K20, near as I can tell it has the stock 700r4 and it is time for a rebuild. The future says no motor over, call it 350hp to be safe, occasional maybe 800lb hauling, occasional towing up to maybe 4000lb, occasional light off-road use. 
Call it, a daily driver that will get a little exercise now and then.

Recommendations? What should I be asking for at the rebuilder or...?

[Irish_Alley]

best thing to do is go to a trans shop and tell them what you intend on using it for with your power output. they should be able to build it to your specs with no issue. it doesnt sound like you need a HD trans but you might just want to have it built to be able to handle the future abuse without hurting the trans

[JohnnyPopper]

There is a year range of good 700r trans, have heard that from others, maybe even here. Do some research on which was best.

What is the issue with yours? With regular maintenance they go and go...

[Irish_Alley]

the 700r4 generally got better the longer they were in production due to upgrades. if you get one rebuilt it should automatically come with those upgrades

[82apache]

There is a year range of good 700r trans, have heard that from others, maybe even here. Do some research on which was best.

What is the issue with yours? With regular maintenance they go and go...

Reverse is gone and and now it is stuck in a forward gear even while in park. She is toasted. But it a fair bet it is the original so it was time. And time to shed the reliability question any 37 yo old trans has.

[82apache]

the 700r4 generally got better the longer they were in production due to upgrades. if you get one rebuilt it should automatically come with those upgrades

You would hope so but I am not even smart enough on the subject to be dangerous. lol

[Irish_Alley]

You sure the shifting linkage is still connected right?

[82apache]

You sure the shifting linkage is still connected right?

Yes.

[VileZambonie]

I wouldn't rebuild your trans. Find a later model 700R4/4L60 or get an exchange unit. Too many design flaws in the early units and not worth rebuilding.

[82apache]

I wouldn't rebuild your trans. Find a later model 700R4/4L60 or get an exchange unit. Too many design flaws in the early units and not worth rebuilding.

Well now,  that throws a spanner in the works.

[VileZambonie]

Sorry, but 82 was the worst year for them too. 88-92 are the good ones. You can buy an exchange unit now relatively cheap with a decent warranty which will handle 35"s and mild towing. If you are doing anything more than that consider a high performance unit. I've rebuilt enough of the earlier units with all of the updates and modifications and still never been fully satisfied with the behavior so I always find a later model unit.

[JohnnyPopper]

I KNEW someone would know the good years! Leave it to VZ! Thanks, mental note for next project...

[MIKE S]

The first year for the 700r4 which is 1982 was so bad for failures that GM issued a recall to replace the transmission before it failed. Which was usually while they were being unloaded off the transport truck.

[JohnnyPopper]