Converting a 4 speed to an automatic

[Mike Phillips]

Here's the information I have from the eBay listing, Tranny and Transfercase info in BOLD

Vehicle Description  

 The last year of no smog required, fully convertible 1975 Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy.  Most of the major work has been done on this vehicle to make it an excellent daily driver and a great off-road truck.  I have spent that last two years building this truck into the vehicle that I could drive everyday and  still four wheel on the weekends.  Due to changes in my job and the fact that I now commute I have a new truck that I use everyday and need to sell or trade this one for a new project.  The truck has a new 4 inch lift with 33 inch tires(285/70/16).

It has a four speed transmission (SM465) with granny low and a near indestructable NP205 transfercase and 3/4 ton axles front and rear.

Rebuilt 350 motor with 5k miles.  $2000

3/4 ton front and rear differentials with 4:10 gears.  The front is a Dana 44 with flat top knuckles (perfect for cross-over steering) and the rear is a Corporate 14 bolt full floater.  $1500

New brakes front and rear.  Front brakes have new rotors, calipers, semi-metallic pads and steel braided brake lines.  The rear brakes are a disc conversion that has new rotors, calipers, semi-metallic pads and steel braided brake lines.  It does not have a parking brake due to the disc brake conversion.  $650

New master cylinder  $50

New 4 core radiator  $250

New Pro Comp 4inch Suspension lift with new Shocks and Steering Stabilizer  $500

New Doug Thorley headers and Flowmaster mufflers with dual exhaust.  $550

New front fenders and inner fenderwells.  $350

New headlight buckets and rear tail-light lenses.  $75

New carpet. Dynamat was laid down under the front half of the interior before the carpet was replaced.  $450

New 200 watt CD/MP3 stereo.  Jensen CD player with flip-down face and holder/cable for iPod.  New 6x9 speaker in custom speaker/storage boxes.  $350

New Paint.  The bodywork and paint are 3 months old.  $2000

The fiberglass top was removed during the paint and bodywork to have the seams refiberglassed (this is where these tops usually crack) before it was repainted inside and out with Marine gloss white boat paint made to stand up to water and the weather.  New weatherstripping in the top.  Almost all the weatherstripping was replaced in the top before it was remounted on the newly painted body.  $750

The inside of the tub and the lower portion of the exterior and inside of the doors have been rhinolined before paint.  $300

The rims are Mickey Thompson Classics 16x9.75 with 285/70/16 BFG All Terrain tires.  The tires have about 5 thousand miles left on them.  I was going to eventually go up to 35s because it would suit the truck better. 

The front windshield needs to be replaced due to 2 cracks at the edges.  The speedometer only works sometimes (and usually incorrect).  I don't know if it is the speedo or the gear in the trans.  Another instrument cluster comes with the truck.  In addition to a tilt steering column that I had planned to put in the truck.

I know that there are probably numerous other new parts on the truck that I am forgetting.  I have spent the last two years rebuilding the truck and I do not have time to use it so it sits unless I can drive it once a week.  So it is time to let it go.  I have more than $10k in the truck, let alone the time to do most of the work.

Since this vehicle is over thirty years old it is being sold "AS IS" with no warranty written or implied.  If you have questions concerning the truck please ask.


Factory power windows and locks on both doors were added using factory equipment and wiring.  Both power windows work, the passenger window is a little slow.  The power locks need new motors to work correctly.  Included is rear window power motor and wiring that has not been installed yet.

Also included is another Dana 44 front differential with factory 4:10 gears.  This is outer case, gears, and axles.  It does not have the spindles.  I have it as a spare for the axle in the truck.

TRADES:  I am willing to take a 1950's, 60's, or 70's car in trade for the truck.  I am open to a partial trade + cash towards the purchase of the vehicle.  The trade needs to be registered, with a clear title.  Please send full description and photos.  Buyer responsible for transportation of trade vehicle and purchased truck.  However, I am open to discussion on this.
 

[76_Scottsdale]

Like we said, no transmission is going to bolt right into place. you need to decide what tranny you want to swap in, and then go to advance adapters to get the correct 10 spline output shaft and TCase adapter.

[Mike Phillips]

***Update***

Have located a 700R4 transmission with the factory stock mated Transfercase from a 1986 Blazer for $400.00 with th torque converter, this was taken out of a good running truck a friend of mine bought for a parts truck for his Blazer.

[VileZambonie]

Cool. try to snag the driveshafts and crossmember too if you can.

[Mike Phillips]

Going to go look at the 700R4 and Transfercase this morning, also found at least a half dozen Tubo 350/NP205 Transfercases for sale here in the SoCal area, going to call on a few and see if any of them sound like they're in good shape.

If I can find a Turbo 350 already mated up to NP205 Transfercase in good shape ready to bolt in then I think that's the direction I'd like to go, especially if I can get the shifter linkage, plus all the misc parts with it.

[Mike Phillips]

If you're going to be using it as a daily driver the 700R4/208 is the best choice. You could probably buy a parts truck with that driveline dirt cheap giving you everythign you need.

***Update***

Okay, I've decided to go with the 700R4 out of the 1986 Chevrolet Blazer.  The mechanic, Fernando, that owns it told me he called his Transmission guy and asked him some questions and his transmission guy told him the 700R4 will bolt up the the PN205 already in my truck.  From what I've been reading that doesn't sound correct and I told Fernado that he said he couldn't confirm that was accurate or not.

Maybe someone here can verify?

If possible I would like to go with that option, if not then we're going to install the 700R4/PN208 out of the 86 Blazer into my 1975 Blazer.  He has everything left over from the Blazer at his shop.

Sorry for all the newbie questions, just trying to do this right the first time and get this Jimmy configured so I can drive it.  By the way, I keep forgetting, it's not a Blazer, it's GMC Jimmy

[Mike Phillips]

Couple more questions...

1. I like a real positive shifting transmission, does anyone have any feedback or recommendation on installing a shift kit in this transmission while it's out of the truck?

2. The Jimmy I just bought came with a spare tilt column with the Automatic Shifter, any tips on hooking this up to the 700R4?  The column is out of a truck that had a 3 speed automatic.

3. My truck has rear wheel disc brakes and no parking brake, is there a kit to put a driveline brake on my Jimmie?

Last but least...

4. Is their a Floor Shifter for the 700R4 for a setup like I have is I chose not to use the spare column.  My Milk Truck had Lokar shifter on a Turbo 400 that I really liked.

Thanks everyone, will get some pictures as we progress with this project.

Next month we'll be looking for new tires, probably going to go with some 35's for now.

Mike

[VileZambonie]

I would use the 208. It will hold up well and it's more fuel efficient. If you ever need low range it's got a good gear reduction. As for a firm shift, that's easy enough with a shift kit and a servo upgrade.

For the parking brake you could easily install a hydraulic line lock, however this is not a mechanical brake. You could use a driveline brake or upgrade your calipers.

Your spare column will work since the shift tubes are the same, just the prndl gauge is different.

* http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-700-R4-FAIRBANKS-HI-PERFORMANCE-SHIFT-KIT-M-A74171_W0QQitemZ320186492718QQcmdZViewItem

[Dragon]

Couple more questions...
Last but least...

4. Is their a Floor Shifter for the 700R4 for a setup like I have is I chose not to use the spare column.  My Milk Truck had Lokar shifter on a Turbo 400 that I really liked.
Mike

Lokar makes a few different 700R4 shifters (just click on the picture of the style you like, and then go from there!)...
http://www.lokar.com/interior_pages/shifters_knobs.htm
Btw, Sweet Kustom, is that Lincoln based or just the quarters???

[HAULIN IT]

Mike, As stated earlier in the post. The 205 you have behind the manual has a 10 spline input shaft. The 700 & TH350 have a 27 spline input. The tranny guy is mistaken. Lorne

[Captkaos]

Mike, I sent you an email reply but from my research the crossmember would have to be moved about 3" when going from a SM465/NP205 to a 700R4/NP208.  Someone chime in if you have conflicting info...

[Mike Phillips]

As for a firm shift, that's easy enough with a shift kit and a servo upgrade.

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-700-R4-FAIRBANKS-HI-PERFORMANCE-SHIFT-KIT-M-A74171_W0QQitemZ320186492718QQcmdZViewItem

Being the Newbie here, we're going to go with your suggestion for the above recommendation as the best kit for my application.

We installed a shift kit in a Turbo 400 for our 1959 Caddy and we think we did everything correctly but the tranny was the first year the Turbo 400 was introduced and it never seem to make a difference, of course the Caddy weighs about 5000 pounds.

We'll start a new thread for this topic.

Thank you! 

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, I sent you an email reply but from my research the crossmember would have to be moved about 3" when going from a SM465/NP205 to a 700R4/NP208.  Someone chime in if you have conflicting info...

Thanks Chris,

I needed a good excuse to buy a new 1/2" drill.   

[VileZambonie]

Personally I usually use trans-go stuff but for the average guy who isn't a transmission wiz Fairbanks makes a good straight forward kit. B&M is overpriced crap in a box so don't bother with their shift kits. TCI is decent too.

[Mike Phillips]

Personally I usually use trans-go stuff but for the average guy who isn't a transmission wiz Fairbanks makes a good straight forward kit. B&M is overpriced crap in a box so don't bother with their shift kits. TCI is decent too.

I've installed a TransGo kit one other time and called their Tech Line today and the Tech recommended,

7-2P
7-300
7-500
SK-700

For my tranny and application.

He said I could intall this myself assuming had a few mechanican skills under my belt.