New guy transmission question

[mar91]

Hello everyone,
I am a long time owner of an s10, but have wanted a full size literally the entire time I've been driving the s10. That being said, my dad purchased a 1991 4x4 gmc sierra off of craigslist that ran grear for about six months... Thats when the transmission went. It has been parked for about 3months and my dad told me he would trade me for my s10 (even with the bad trans. I'm getting the better deal) local shops here in Milwaukee have quoted me around $1500 plus tow to rebuild the transmission in the truck, but I found a supposive rebuilt 700r4 4x4 transmission with around 2000 miles for sale locally for a third of the cost, I have installed a few transmissions and I was wondering if this would be a direct bolt in for my 91? I couldn't find what trans. came originally in the 91 k1500, was it the 700r4 or the 4l60? I had a 92 camaro that had the 700r4 so I was just assuming that the 91 gmc had it as well. I will post pictures soon, thanks!

 

[98_k1500]

Yes sir, should swap right in. We like pics here. Lots of pics lol.

 

[someotherguy]

700R4 and 4L60 are the same transmission with different names; GM changed the naming conventions in the early 90's. What's different and not swappable is the 4L60E - the E meaning electronic control. Has a big round multi-pin connector on the passenger side of the case above the pan. While on the other hand, the 700R4/4L60 has a throttle valve (TV) cable to control it instead.

What you want to watch out for is a 700R4 from pre-1987 as the earlier units aren't nearly as good. 1987-1992 you're good to go, the only catch being the earlier units may not have the correct speed sensor setup in 2WD form as the last few years of squarebody trucks were cable OR electronic depending on year. Not an issue for your 4X4 though since the speed sensor is in the transfer case.

Richard

 

[mar91]

Wow, thanks for the quick responses guys. I'm at work now but right after ill be making the drive an hour north to check out the trans! Expect pictures of my "new" truck and of my project car (57 Chevy 210 wagon) sometime this weekend. Boy am I glad I found this forum!

 

[someotherguy]

Bring the pics on, especially of the '57. I used to have a '56 210 2-door wagon and a '57 150 2-door sedan. Love tri-fives.

Richard

 

[mar91]

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That's awesome Richard, I've always been an all GM fan and ever since I knew what a tri-five was I wanted one.
Here is the best picture I have of my 57'. I will have to get a few of the GMC

I picked up the transmission.. It looks pretty clean but fingers crossed that it's not a dud.

**EDIT** You can sort of see my s10 in the background... man I'm glad I have a k1500

 

[mar91]

Hey guys just wondering if I have to pull the transfer case when I decide to swap transmissions?

 

[badazzbulldog]

yes it makes it much easier getting the trans out

 

[mar91]

Thanks!

 

[someotherguy]

Be sure before you ever try to move the truck once you get the replacement transmission in - that you read up, in fact read multiple sources, do some homework on adjusting the throttle valve cable. It's critical you get this right. If you don't you can very easily destroy the trans in a very big hurry. Too "loose" on the adjustment and internal pressure will run too low, it will slip itself to death almost instantly.

The wagon looks to be in really nice shape! Here's a "just bought it" shot of my '57 150, I flew to Atlanta and drove up to N. GA to get it. It's long gone now unfortunately. Had a nice 327 in it and still had 3 on the tree, factory "cobblestone" interior too. Car was essentially stock other than the 327 swap and the Rally wheels.

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And my '56 210 2 door wagon, the night it came off the car transport. Really hot 327 in it, 4 speed, mini-tubbed w/narrowed Ford 9", custom wide Rally's out back, yada yada. Didn't care for the white bumpers but I guess the previous owner didn't wanna cash up for rechrome.

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Richard