Well my trans let go today out of my 1982 4x2 gmc it failed in 3rd and 4th bad slipping. So i found a recent rebuild 89 trans out of a camaro with a v8 and was wondering if this would work it has the tv cable and it is non electronic what do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

if you use it, have a trans guy adjust the kickdown cable, if it can be installed to your throttle linkage

Yup throw it in, if its the same spine.....they changed that somewhere around that time.

you will need a new diesel torque convorter and you will have to swap the governor out from your old one.

You dont need a trans guy to adjust the TV cable.....you do have to swap the diesel cable to the new tranny. It is somewhat shorter than the gasser. All you do is make sure the TV is completly pulled during WOT

You can use the TV cable from your bad transmission if it is works smoothly.

The '89 transmission uses the computer to actuate the ground in the torque converter lock up solenoid (usually terminal "D"). You might have to modify the wiring to get it to lockup.

As mentioned earlier, you will need to use your old governor or change the weights on the current one. The input shaft on the '89 has more splines so you will need a later torque converter. You should get at a minimum, a heavy duty RV diesel torque converter. Finally, depending on who did the transmission rebuild, you might also want to install a TRANSGO shift kit to improve shifting and oil pressure.

the reason i say have a trans guy adjust it is because the tv cable actually changes the pressure in the trans, when pulled, it has a much higher pressure, therefore causing a downshift

Yeah, it's critical, but you're telling me I need an "expert" to figure out how to set that cable just because it's "critical"? I don't think so...

a pressure gauge and WOT specs would would work too

If you follow the procedure set out in the service manual, and don't "adjust" too much from the set length, the transmission will shift and survive. It's not a difficult job, just don't deviate from the recommended procedures. Check www.tvmadeez.com for more info.

Sounds good thanks for all the info

i'd recommend installing a .500 TV Boost valve,it will give you lots more line pressure so you wont have any problems slipping anything.

Ya i did some research about the slipping issues and ordered one last night so i will be good to go i am also going to put a shift kit in it. Any more recommendations?

Did you order the cable from the dealer? It seems that aftermarket cables don't have the right length when used on a 6.2.

order the TransGo SK700jr kit off ebay thats a shift kit and a correction/reprogramming kit all in one, designed to correct and prevent some of the common failures/problems with the trans. and like i said get one of them .500 boost valves and throw that in there with it and u should be good. and make sure you get the right kickdown/detent cable and adjust in correctly or if wont last long! Ive been rebuilding a lot of these lately for my buddies and they like the results!

The wider alto reverse input band would also be a good thing to consider.Pretty cheap to buy too.

i've got a 700R4 rebuild with corvette internals, and a shift kit installed...she's beefy as all hell and i'll be pulling her out when i junk my truck(tear). best tranny i've ever driven and if you install and set the tv cable right, she'll last you much longer(not the best tranny out there for sure....but they definetly hold their own behind a 6.2)

the corvette servo is a major upgrade on these...

ya...i know...got it custom rebuilt when i grenaded my other tranny(i keep cores on hand for just those circumstances...it cracked the starter housing too....but i'm not replacing it until i have to)

If you go so far as to replace the reverse band,...might as well check to see which pump it has. If it has the old stock replacement 7 vane pump, it would be absolutely ridiculous not to replace it with the upgraded 10 vane, or the aftermarket 14 vane. The pump isn't a difficult piece to replace, considering its already out of the vehicle.

Ya thanks for the info on the pump i will take a look. So far it is going to get the transgo shift kit as well as the corvette internals as well as the .500 boost valve a friend of mine who has rebuilt 700r4's in the past is going to do it for me and i am going to try and learn some stuff from him. Thanks guys

just for reference a guy in SD here builds 700r4's with a 500hp warranty for $1250. But that included a race convertor that usually goes for about $300 itself. That was for going behind my built 400 small block.

He said he doesnt do a shift kit, just his own modding (ie: his own version of a shift kit) and the corvette servo.

yeah that corvette servo is a huge upgrade like jodean said, mine also has the upgrade clutch packs, i think there's more of them and they are beefier...thus they last longer...can't remember exactly how it works

Things are getting a little twisted around here. As I understand it, you have a recently rebuilt 4L60 (new style, stronger 700R4) that ONLY needs a diesel torque converter and the governor swapped out. If it has a decent rebuild, it should last a 100K if you don't beat it to death.

I personally would run it with the minimum mods unless you have been making a killing on the recent stock market and have money to burn.

Ya it is some confusing stuff with the sun gear and clutch packs complicated suckers if you don't know what you are doing/ looking at.

Ya jmay2174 it is a 4l60 was told out of a camaro but he didn't know his father passed and he wanted to get rid of it. It had a front pump seal leak thus i figured a reseal was in order and a little updating to go in a diesel truck.

i wouldnt put a 4L60 behind a diesel...a 4L80/4L85 yeah...but not a 4L60

From what i was told is that the 4l60 is the newer 700r4 and offered in the newer diesels 87-90's before going 4l60e. Though i might be wrong.

I personally would run it with the minimum mods unless you have been making a killing on the recent stock market and have money to burn.
Funny...on the recent stock market, no one is making a killing...but then again, I suppose the crash in value of your investments could be considered a killing of your finances:lol:

They last only 100k? Get a manual.

Yeah, and put a clutch in every 90K instead... :rolleyes: They both have their failing points.

I see no reason not to run a good 4L60... Should be fine.

i wouldnt put a 4L60 behind a diesel...a 4L80/4L85 yeah...but not a 4L60


The transmissions you suggest are actually the 4L80E and 4L85E, which are computer controlled. GM has never made a production 4L80/85 non computer controlled transmission. The the 4L80E and 4L85E are good strong transmissions although a bit pricey and aftermarket controllers for them run $750 up.

If the info on blueburby1's truck is correct, the 88 transmission IS a 4L60. kevpell18 is correct in that GM switched from the 700R4 to 4L60 designation in '87-'88 period when they made significant changes and improvements to transmission.

The 4L60 is a strong reliable transmission. However, it can still be upgraded for even more strength with aftermarket improved parts, some of which I incorporated in my transmission. Again, all it costs is money. If only I had gotten my IRAs out of the stock market a year ago!

Yeah, and put a clutch in every 90K instead... :rolleyes: They both have their failing points.


The highest mileage I had on a vehicle was 140k --- never needed a clutch. And clutches are cheaper.

the information on my truck is correct...but it IS a 700R4...the pan is different between the 700 and the 4L60, so i know for sure mine is a 700. i was not aware of the 4l80/85s being ONLY electronic, and i apologize for my lack of knowledge in a transmission i have never had the pleasure of owning, but i DO know that i would NEVER put a used tranny in my truck again...but thats personal experience. if your getting a rebuilt...get it upgraded....then when you upgrade the engine because upgrading is a disease, it will be able to handle the extra horsies. the 4L60, 700R4, TH400/350, 4L80/85E are all decent trannies with their own issues and own benifits, but hey lets all be glad they aren't dodge trannies :P

Like I said earlier, they both have their strong points and their failure points. To me it's all depends on whether you feel like shifting all the time or not, it's not about durability, cost, or repairs. These days, I'd rather have an auto to be honest... I spend a lot of time driving in the city, and shifting gets old. Not to mention lately I've been having to carry passengers, and it can get awkward depending on who sits in the middle... :rolleyes: I need a crewcab.

I'm getting lazy... The other day I noticed I can drive around town all day without shifting out of third gear. Guess who's going to need a clutch sooner rather than later... Could be a while though, I only drive about 3K miles a year.

There is nothing wrong with putting a 4L60 behind a 6.2. I wouldn't put one behind a torque monster,...but lets face it,... 6.2's are not torque monsters.
Considering we are talking about a 700r4, do the upgrades...it will be money well spent and you won't have any need for a bigger, beefier or pricier tranny.