200R4 strength? -gearvendors unit

[Cadiac]

I'm getting ready to start on my 69 3/4 ton Chev. with Cad. 500 of course.  It will get driven alot with some trailer pulling. I like the lower gears and overdrive automatic in my old caprice cop car. So -Can a 200R4 be built to stand up to a 500 like a T400 will? Or should a person go with a GearVendors overdrive behind a 400? I hear they are good for 1,000 HP. The truck engine will be not alot more than stock. I'd like to keep the 4:10 gears for towing grunt and have lower rpm highway cruise capability. I plan to use 16" truck radials. Size? -Don't know yet.

 

[brian]

I've seen alot of magazine articles about the 200r4 being built to handle alot of power. I think if it is properly built it would be an awesome tranny for behind the cad.
Brian

 

[cadiwumpas]

  GV with a 4.10 = 3.20 . (4.10 x .78) sounds good to me. Have had good luck with 200R4 in my
Buick Grand National 170+K but sure don't think I'd wanna tow with it. GV is pricey but bulletproof,
I picked up my GV used for $600 but haven't seen any more that cheap.

 

[dave brode]

Cadiac,

I had a stock 500 powered '72 3/4 ton camper special with 4.11s. I assume that your truck also has the old style rear [pumpkin style with rear cover too]. If so, 4.11, 4.57 and 4.14 are the only gears to be had. I believe that only the GMCs used leaf springs on C20s prior to '73, so I also assume that yours has the arms and coil springs. If so, your only option for taller gears is to swap in a later 14 bolt, or a Dana 60 by welding on the mounts for the arms.

Fyi - My truck had 31" tall 7.50 x 16" winter tires on split rims and was gear bound for sure at the track [ran 14.6 at 92]. It was done well before the traps. However, it did fine cruising at 60-65 mph. It liked gas, but not any more than a tired 350.

I'm sure that the 200R4 can be built to work, but you'd better have deep pockets.
Dave






link=topic=1220.msg12321#msg12321 date=1114370124]
I'm getting ready to start on my 69 3/4 ton Chev. with Cad. 500 of course.  It will get driven alot with some trailer pulling. I like the lower gears and overdrive automatic in my old caprice cop car. So -Can a 200R4 be built to stand up to a 500 like a T400 will? Or should a person go with a GearVendors overdrive behind a 400? I hear they are good for 1,000 HP. The truck engine will be not alot more than stock. I'd like to keep the 4:10 gears for towing grunt and have lower rpm highway cruise capability. I plan to use 16" truck radials. Size? -Don't know yet.

 

[Vern]

I love the 2004R in my GN and in my Cad powered 88 Cutlass.  But I think in a heavier vehicle that is going to be used for towing that the GV th400 would be the better choice.  I think you would want a billet drum, a massive tranny cooler, tranny temp guage, and to tow in 3rd with the 2004R.  If you pay an experienced capable shop to set you up buy the billet drum etc and if you don't already have a GN/442 core then you will probably spend nearly as much as the GV route anyway.  Again that just my speculation.  You might call a shop that does the hi po 2004R trannies and ask  what they see as the pros & cons to each and what they would recommend.   

 

[Paris]

The April 2005 issue of Car Craft has a 200-4R article in it.......The Forgotten Overdrive....Bulletproofing a TH200-4R Automatic.

 

[POTTER]

The gear vendors unit will handle it. In a truck, I doubt the 200 will make it......IMO