Tranny swap

doughunts

Gear Grinder
Oct 19, 2010
6
Willys Model
Willys Year:
I have a 1960 Wagon that I am rebuilding. It has a 327 small block chevy in it. Still has original Dana 44 and 25 axles. What I am wondering is, what tranny and transfercase should I go back together with so I can do Highway speeds with my Wagon? I would still like to crawl around up in the mountains, but nothing to insane. I just want a good 4WD unit that I don't have to trailer to the mountains. Any help would be appreciated!
 
Look at the cover on your rear axle, if it hasn't been lost there should be a tag under the bolt on the left towards the bottom. It should have the axle ratio stamped on it. By the 60 wagons there were more than the original 5.38 gears available. One of mine has 4.10 gears and does 65-70 pretty well.

Even if low geared ant transmission/transfer case without overdrive would leave you at the same top speed. There are bolt on overdrives for the transfer case available that may be more cost effective.
 
You didn't mention if you were looking at autos or manuals. I've got a Chevy 305 with a TH400 tranny and a GM 205 transfer case. I'm currently looking for a 700RH tranny because it is a four speed w/overdrive, which is more than the three speed I have now, plus its 1st gear is 30% lower than most autos. With the lower low and the higher high, I think it'll be just what the doctor ordered... at least for me.
 
I'm thinking I would like an Auto for easier driving in the hills. Do you know where I would start looking for a 700RH Tranny? Is it a GM Product? I am pretty new to this whole rebuild thing. I got the Willys when grandpa passed and I really want to make it something my family can enjoy!
 
Sorry, got some fat-finger issues. Its a 700R4 not a 700RH. ...And yes, it is a GM product. There are several websites that sell them. Just go to Yahoo, or your search engine of choice, and put in 700R4. It'll bring up a plethora of sites that sell and/or rebuild them. Other options are Craigslist.com and e-Bay.com Of course you can search local boneyards too. If your's is a 4x4, make sure you get a 700R4 from a 4x4. Also, the older ones work better for our applications than the newer ones due to less computer-controlled stuff on them. I'm in the same boat as you, searching for one I can afford. I've seen them from $200 (craigslist) to $1500 (various independant sites.) $500 to $850 seems to be the average price range for a decent, professionally rebuilt unit. It should bolt right up to other GM components such as engine and transfer case. Of course, mounting points on your particular ride may or may not be in the right spots depending on how its been set up in the past. BTW-- Welcome to the forum. I'm relatively new here, myself.
 
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