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Replacing TH400 Tranny with 700R4 in M1009

mooses3

New member
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Monett, MO.
I have M1009 that I would like replace TH400 transmission with a 700R4 transmission and need to know what torque converter and flywheel flex plate to use and where to purchase.
 

Barrman

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Giddings, Texas
It is your truck to do as you wish.

Why are you swapping? I ask because with the 3.08:1 axle gears a deep overdrive like the 700R4 really doesn't do you any good unless you are over 75-80 mph.

There is a diesel torque converter that the 700R4 used with the 6.2. The flexplate I believe is the same.

Do you have the 6.2-400R4 cable bracket?
 

wheelspinner

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North Carolina - FINALLY !
It is your truck to do as you wish.

Why are you swapping? I ask because with the 3.08:1 axle gears a deep overdrive like the 700R4 really doesn't do you any good unless you are over 75-80 mph.

There is a diesel torque converter that the 700R4 used with the 6.2. The flexplate I believe is the same.

Do you have the 6.2-400R4 cable bracket?
I am interested because I have a set of 3:42 axles that I also want to swap in.
 

Barrman

Well-known member
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Giddings, Texas
Figured that was your plan but wanted to ask.

Just look up the part numbers for flexplate and converter that go into a 1988 or 1989 6.2 Suburban 1/2 ton. That should give you the right ones.
 

2INSANE

Well-known member
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Location
Belgrade, Montana
I would not do a 700r4 in your M1009 unless you have a minimal of 3.73 gears. I have 4.56 in mine and am currently in the process of doing the swap.

If you do the swap, you will Benifit from a pre 1986 700r4 because it has a manual valve body inside that does not require an electrical switch for the lockup.

Your current flexplate will work with a 3 bolt 1200-1400 stall torque converter you will need.

Also you will need to spend big bucks getting both 700r4 and transfer case rebuilt with the 32 spline shafts instead of the 27 spline to handle the torque of the diesel better. Here’s my current cost of doing the swap…

Junkyard 700r4 Core $300

700r4 Rebuild with the best of the best parts $1700

Junkyard Np208 core with correct spline $225

Np208 Rebuild $700

Junkyard crossmember, support brace, shifting linkage and other hardware $75

Kickdown Cable new from EBay $56

Dont forget to add labor to remove and replace and additional costs for the drive shafts to be shortened and lengthened and cost of fluids and gaskets/rtv.

Honestly, a nv4500 or 4l80e would be stronger and much cheaper if you want the extra gears.

Note: Every hour on the hour, I question my financial sanity with my choice of doing this 700r4 swap. After it is all said and done here in the near future, my sanity might change while passing people up at 80mph getting 18+mpg. 😝
 
Last edited:

reloader64

Active member
377
138
43
Location
Liberty Hill, Texas
If you will be using stock size tires, the 3.42 gear and 700R4 combo will work ok. I put 33 inch tires on my wife's civvy Blazer (3.42 from the factory) with the 700R4, and it was a dog. I went to 3.73 gears, and that helped. The beloved 6.2 diesel just doesn't have enough torque to drag around a high overall gear ratio. Even with the 3.73 gear in my wife's truck, I usually drive around town in 3rd gear. It goes 70 mph pretty well, though.

Scott
 

Riden8ked

New member
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3
Location
Ct
Good afternoon all, purchased a 86 m1009 a few months ago, just rebuilt the t400 completely. I've been reading on the forums about how the m1009 came with 3.08 gears. Mine clearly did not as my truck does like anything past 55 or 60, leading me to believe it has 4.56s. Whats the benefit of a 700r4 conv. And if I'm to keep my t400, what gears would you recommend for it not to scream at me on the hwy?
 

2INSANE

Well-known member
725
824
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Location
Belgrade, Montana
Good afternoon all, purchased a 86 m1009 a few months ago, just rebuilt the t400 completely. I've been reading on the forums about how the m1009 came with 3.08 gears. Mine clearly did not as my truck does like anything past 55 or 60, leading me to believe it has 4.56s. Whats the benefit of a 700r4 conv. And if I'm to keep my t400, what gears would you recommend for it not to scream at me on the hwy?
Read this first…


700r4/np208, 4.56 gears and 37” tires, I get up to 80mph and it is still not screaming.

U should Do the nv4500 or 4l80e swap. Much cheaper and stronger.
 
Last edited:

Riden8ked

New member
21
19
3
Location
Ct
Read this first…


700r4/np208, 4.56 gears and 37” tires, I get up to 80mph and it is still not screaming.

U should Do the nv4500 or 4l80e swap. Much cheaper and stronger.

Good read!!! Thank you! Maybe after my t400 pops as i just dumped a bunch of money into the rebuild. Would i be ok swapping out to the 3.08 gears or go to a 3.73 gear, maybe ill test a 3.42 and do a writeup
 
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