Forum Discussion
- DaveinetExplorer
cncsparky wrote:
Likely. My coach is front wheel drive, so there is a transfercase hanging off the back of the trans. When I had the trans built, I had them install a short shaft from a TH400 into the back of the 4L85e. The output shafts are interchangable. The bolt pattern on the back of both transmissions is identical. Where you need to get creative is the spacing. I machined a spacer between the trans and the transfercase because the back of the 4L85e is flat, where the TH400 is concave. This means the shaft sticks out farther on the 4L85e. Other than that, its pretty simple. So assuming the parking brake bolts on to the back of the trans (instead of a tail shaft housing) one should be able to just add a spacer and bolt on the brake.Daveinet wrote:
I think 2002 and later 2500. The 85 is rated for a higher load than the 4L80E.
Dave, do you have any info or a link to your swap? I'm looking into the same, but have not figured out how to handle the parking brake on the back of the tranny. Will the TH400 park brake bolt up to a 4L80/85E that had one from the factory? - cncsparkyExplorer
Daveinet wrote:
I think 2002 and later 2500. The 85 is rated for a higher load than the 4L80E.
Dave, do you have any info or a link to your swap? I'm looking into the same, but have not figured out how to handle the parking brake on the back of the tranny. Will the TH400 park brake bolt up to a 4L80/85E that had one from the factory? - DaveinetExplorerI think 2002 and later 2500. The 85 is rated for a higher load than the 4L80E.
- turbojimmyExplorer
Daveinet wrote:
JimFromJersey wrote:
Sure there is. 4L85E. It's not that bad of a swap. The underside of a motorhome has a lot of space, so its ends up being pretty easy to more a trans mount. Shortening the driveshaft is pretty cheap. Trans controller is 6 bills and easy to set up as well. It is actually kind of nice to be able to custom tune your trans for your specific driving style. I have mine programed to up shift late, but then not downshift until I really get into the throttle. It keeps the TC locked up most of the time, unless I really need it to downshift.
The vac gauge does let you know when the engine is performing 'efficiently', but it's somewhat disheartening to see the tach floating around 3000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I guess there's just not much we TH-400 owners can do...
What did the 4L85E come in from the factory? New ones are spendy, but I have friends in the salvage business. Might be a good option for me. - DaveinetExplorer
JimFromJersey wrote:
Sure there is. 4L85E. It's not that bad of a swap. The underside of a motorhome has a lot of space, so its ends up being pretty easy to more a trans mount. Shortening the driveshaft is pretty cheap. Trans controller is 6 bills and easy to set up as well. It is actually kind of nice to be able to custom tune your trans for your specific driving style. I have mine programed to up shift late, but then not downshift until I really get into the throttle. It keeps the TC locked up most of the time, unless I really need it to downshift.
The vac gauge does let you know when the engine is performing 'efficiently', but it's somewhat disheartening to see the tach floating around 3000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I guess there's just not much we TH-400 owners can do... - turbojimmyExplorer
JimFromJersey wrote:
Doc & TurboJ, one of the POs of my Bounder installed a Vac gauge and a tach to the left side of the dash gauge cluster. It looks like a pretty simple job.
The vac gauge does let you know when the engine is performing 'efficiently', but it's somewhat disheartening to see the tach floating around 3000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I guess there's just not much we TH-400 owners can do...
I thought it might be taching that high at 55-60. I'm going on a trip at the end of the week and have plotted a non-interstate route. - JimFromJerseyExplorerDoc & TurboJ, one of the POs of my Bounder installed a Vac gauge and a tach to the left side of the dash gauge cluster. It looks like a pretty simple job.
The vac gauge does let you know when the engine is performing 'efficiently', but it's somewhat disheartening to see the tach floating around 3000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I guess there's just not much we TH-400 owners can do... - Doc_EagleExplorerTurbojimmy,I had room between the speedometer and AC controls to drill a 2" hole for a small Sun Tach. I also installed a small, like 1-1/2" vacuum gauge to the right of the AC controls. Was going to mount under them which would have looked a bit better but had issues on where my fuse box was located. Good luck with your project.
- turbojimmyExplorerI'm hoping for 6-7 MPG out of my '84 454. It's a Q-Jet setup. With a TH-400 trans, it's screaming at 55 MPH. I ordered up a cheap Sunpro tach for the steering column. I like the idea of tweaking the dash, but I'm too lazy to do it :)
- Doc_EagleExplorerOk last leg of trip we managed to get 10.2 mpg. Was very happy with that, I have been looking at the headers to fit. I am planning complete tuneup before next trip. Spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, oil change, etc. Have a small exhaust leak but sealed it with Quik Steel Extreme, don't want to mess with that until I am ready for changing to headers. I looked at the spec plate again, looks like at just under 23' it is about 12,500 fully loaded. Next trip is a return to Kings Bay Georgia Naval Base, wife wants to tour the base, camp ground was nice.
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