Howdy ya'll, first off I'm gonna start by sayin I'm new to the truck world. I've been into cars since I got my license, basically just trying to keep them in running condition. Finally got a reliable car so now I'm getting a truck to haul my dirt bike, wheeler, and snowmobiles around. Put a wanted ad on Craigslist and picked up a lifted 88 gmc 1500 w/ brand new 31" tires for $350. Only prob with it is the tranny was blown, but it came with a new one. I actually have to pick it up still, planning on doing that tomorrow morning.

He took the old tranny out, and it's sitting on the floor in his garage. I don't know what tranny came off of it, but the replacement he has is a 700r4. The old one was JUST rebuilt with shift kit and beefier gears, so if it's possible I want to swap internals since it's just the bellhousing that broke. Any idea if it's possible if that is a different tranny? Also, the engine and busted trans were crate parts installed about 120k miles ago. The engine is carburated (didn't 88 have fuel injection?) but roars.

Anywho, I know the trans will bolt in, thats not going to be a problem. The thing that might be is that I don't have the tools to take the engine out, so I don't know how hard it's going to be to install the trans with the engine still installed. The xfer case is still on the truck, the driveshafts are still good, just needs new u-joints (that's what broke and effed the trans). Also, I can't find a manual about it online anywhere, could someone help me with that? maybe point me in a good direction because google's not rubbing me the right way.

If you made it this far, probs to you. Thanks in advance for the help. I plan to start working on it tomorrow so any quick input would be unbelievably helpful!

 

Forgot to mention the truck came with a 350 from the factory, and according to the guy whos selling it to me, it's got a 350 'h.o.' now. Not sure what that is exactly but if someone has a clue?... thanks

 

ummm...i've got quite a bit of experience with the earlier 80's c-10s. i think it would be fine if you just left the 700R4's internal inside b/c they are very stong dependable trannies as is...they're nothin more than a turbo 400 w/overdrive...fyi...dint know if ya knew that but ya do now...i wouldn't worry bout the parts from the other tranny if i were you...maybe take em' out and sell make your money back...but that's just me...and bout the install...my father and i never put the engine and tranny in as one...when we installed the tranny we just put the entire truck on jack-stands and put the the tranny on a jack & put a little piece of plyboard betw the two & used that contraption to roll it about and jacked it up to get it bolted to the block and get the cross-member bolted up...that's bout all i can tell ya...hitt me up if ya have any more quest...let me know how it goes and if you use my method. && the 350 H.O....the h.o. just means High Output....it mite just have a little bit more beefier cam in it and little bit higher compression piston...all in all given you more torque...that's bout it..