Background info:
I have an 89 K1500 shortbed reg cab chevy with a dana 44 out of a 79 f-150 with chevy knuckles and 6 lug outers, ford radius arms plugged into my STOCK transmission crossmember. A 9.5" 14 bolt rear with 6 lugs. 4.88 ring and pinions. Running about 8 inches of suspension lift and 3 inch body lift. 38 mud grapplers. Motor is a fresh rebuilt tbi 350 making about 275hp. Stock IFS front driveshaft and custom rear shaft.
The truck actually has great street manners and is driven on weekends and usually to and from the mud bogs, but I trailer it whenever I can borrow a trailer. Ill be buying a trailer soon...
I recently toasted my 700r4. It was a very expensive upgraded trans a few years ago but only has 40k miles on it. I run the truck 95% in 4 low when in the woods and rarely use 4hi. Also has a giant cooler. Before I had it rebuilt it had already been done twice.
I am at a point now where decisions need to be made...
Is it worth it to rebuilt the transmission a fourth time/swap to another 700r4? OR.... look at manuals? NV3500, NV4500, SM465 etc? OR the 4L80, which I've been hearing great things about, although I am unsure of mating it with my TBI computer setup. I can lengthen my radius arms and move my crossmember back to deal with the longer length of the 4L80. Possibly increase suspension lift and eliminate the body lift to save the current rear shaft, then build a custom front shaft (which i should probably do anyways).
I am not afraid of the manual swap or 4L80 or rebuilding my 700R4, I believe with the right advice and doing my homework I am capable of all of the above options, although i know changing to anything other than my 700R4 will come with a challenge.
Which trans would be the best option all things considered??
I have an 89 K1500 shortbed reg cab chevy with a dana 44 out of a 79 f-150 with chevy knuckles and 6 lug outers, ford radius arms plugged into my STOCK transmission crossmember. A 9.5" 14 bolt rear with 6 lugs. 4.88 ring and pinions. Running about 8 inches of suspension lift and 3 inch body lift. 38 mud grapplers. Motor is a fresh rebuilt tbi 350 making about 275hp. Stock IFS front driveshaft and custom rear shaft.
The truck actually has great street manners and is driven on weekends and usually to and from the mud bogs, but I trailer it whenever I can borrow a trailer. Ill be buying a trailer soon...
I recently toasted my 700r4. It was a very expensive upgraded trans a few years ago but only has 40k miles on it. I run the truck 95% in 4 low when in the woods and rarely use 4hi. Also has a giant cooler. Before I had it rebuilt it had already been done twice.
I am at a point now where decisions need to be made...
Is it worth it to rebuilt the transmission a fourth time/swap to another 700r4? OR.... look at manuals? NV3500, NV4500, SM465 etc? OR the 4L80, which I've been hearing great things about, although I am unsure of mating it with my TBI computer setup. I can lengthen my radius arms and move my crossmember back to deal with the longer length of the 4L80. Possibly increase suspension lift and eliminate the body lift to save the current rear shaft, then build a custom front shaft (which i should probably do anyways).
I am not afraid of the manual swap or 4L80 or rebuilding my 700R4, I believe with the right advice and doing my homework I am capable of all of the above options, although i know changing to anything other than my 700R4 will come with a challenge.
Which trans would be the best option all things considered??