A4LD Swap option from Advance Adapters

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I have good news for all. I just found out yesterday that upon completion of truckhaven, I will be stopping by AA to drop off my Explorer so they can do all kinds of R&D. First order of business will be a 700-R4 conversion. Due to my schedule, they are going to have my truck from January to probably mid Aughust so I am sure we can expect other things besides the tranny swap, but I can officially say that the tranny swap is a go. I will keep everyone updated here as best I can but for starters they are looking to do a front and rear adapter to mate the 700R-4 to the 4.0L and the stock BW-1354 transfer case. Being that it is a 700-R4, I am sure there will be other options that are already available such as an addition of an Atlas II or other products as well.

 

[jimbo74]

cool keep us posted... to bad that tranny is a chevy but it was a decent tranny when built up... form what ihave heard the were very similar to the a4ld in stock form, but could handle a lot if moddified with bolt-on parts more or less

 

[RFR2212]

there was earlier on that the 700r4's had their problems, but i believe in the later models, chevy worked out the issue, and built a good tranny.
Pete

 

[Hotweels]

called a few wrecking yards, $400cdn for a used 700R4 and they come with a 6 month warranty
+ a good rebuild for $600

 

[Byrd91]

Is the 700R4 the tranny that Petersons just made into a manumatic? That was sweet.

 

[Texan01]

Yep the early 700's had durability problems but after '86 they were very stout, mostly had to do with the pump not being strong enough and some other basic design flaws that were later corrected.

A friend of mine has a 700 behind his 383 stroker in his '79 El Camino, it's been converted to the Corvette style so it upshifts into OD at wide open throttle so it's top speed is 120+ with 3.42 gears.

Only bad thing about the 700 is the wide ratio between 1st and 2nd, 3.06 first to a 1.62 second makes for a heck of a bang when it shifts at WOT.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by Texan01
Only bad thing about the 700 is the wide ratio between 1st and 2nd, 3.06 first to a 1.62 second makes for a heck of a bang when it shifts at WOT.

Yeah, but most wheelers aren't going to be running into that problem.

Main advantage to the 700R4 is that first gear. It is the lowest of any automatic tranny. Then multiply your TQ converter in (average abotu 2:1) and your first gear is about 6:1!!!

However, why on EARTH would you want to put a crappy t-case like the BW1354 behind a good tranny like that?

See if they could adapt it to a EB D20. Then you would be in business!

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

The 700-R4 has a standard 6 bolt circle transfer case adapter so it will bolt to just about anything with the right length tail shaft housing and a spud shaft which has already been developed by AA. They are tring to make a product that is easy to install in a stock application. Their will be plenty of options after that. My plan is either an Atlas II or a Klune V mated to an NP205. I just haven't completely made up my mind yet.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

bump

 

[Hotweels]

bumpity bump, any word yet Diff Wack Daddy?????

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I e-mailed him earlier today but got no response yet. Therefore tomorrow I will call. Ha Ha!

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Okay, here is the latest update. They will be making an all new adapter which will include a new output shaft for the 700-R4 that will be 25 spline to match the stock setup. The good news is that this system will be a direct bolt in application requiring no driveshaft modifications because it will leave everything in the stock location. The bad news is it will make it a little harder to bolt on a Klune V, but on the other hand an Atlas II will be bolt on, maybe in more ways than one, but Vic and I are still working on that.

Just to let you know, I am getting a built 700-R from Bow Tie Overdrives for about $1000 less than what it would cost to rebuild an A4LD and I have also sent an upper intake and a throttle body to them so they can work out the proper geometries of the TV(throttle valve) linkage of the 700-R4 to allow it to work at its optimum capability.

 

[Rick]

Excellent Keep us informed!

 

[Mbrooks420]

So what t-cases will be most likely? I want to keep my truck, or get another, but I refuse to replace another Explorer auto trans. That leaves me this or a manual swap. Or buy a v8 and swap it to 4wd. There is no way I could afFORD an Atlas II after buying a 700r4, the adapters and all other related components.

 

[Rick]

Since they are using a 25 spline output shaft on the tranny you will be able to keep the stock Explorer transfer case.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Exactly Rick. They are making this a bolt in application so that you can buy the 700-R4 now, use the stock transfer case and upgrade to an Atlas later on. According to Vic there won't even be any drive shaft modification later. If use of another transfercase is already planned, they already have exhisting adapters that you can use on the backside of the 700-R4 which you can have installed when you buy a 700-R4.

Very important!!!! They are using a 60 degree 700-R4 which were originally found behind the GM 2.8L engines. It is highly recomended to get one built from scratch as the internals of a junk yard transmission are not nearly as strong. All the internals of the stronger 700-R4 will bolt right in, but nine of the tranny's you'll find at a junk yard have them.

 

[410Fortune]

WOW!!! A much better alternative to the AOD/4.0L idea.........


I am impressed, please AA make this adapter, it will SELL

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Don't worry, it's being made. I just sent Vic a check for the tranny and the CAD design is 99% done. They are just waiting for the tranny now to finish it up.

 

[410Fortune]

Any idea on pricing and availability?

Dont get me wrong, I am not doign a new tranny anytime soon (10K on custom A4LD, hoping for at least 80K) but I know MANY people who have been waiting for this deal and if it was avail. last year I would have ditched the A4LD..........

 

[MattHarrell]

Same here. I would have opted for this 1.5 years ago when I had mine rebuilt. Hopefully they'll still have it around if this current transmission kicks the bucket in the future.