89 700r4 2wd to 4wd conversion

[Zacm1]

I have 89 Chevy 4x4 and the tranny started leaking form the torque convertor area. I have to pull the tranny and was wondering if I could take a good 2wd 700r4 and convert it to 4wd by exchanging the rear tail shaft using my transfer case. I have a buddy that has a 700r4 with a mild shift kit and torque convertor sitting in a barn and if I am going to have to pull the tranny, I would like to put this in its place. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to just swap out the tail shafts from 2wd to 4wd on the 700r4. Thanks in advance

[79403ta]

i am pretty sure you have to swap the shaft that comes out of the tail housing they are either longer or shorter in the 4x4s i had to do it in a 94 which has the 4l60e transmission but i am pretty sure the 700r4 are the same...you have to pull the guts out to do this there is a snap ring inside the transmission that holds the shaft in ...if it were me i would fix the leak (probably the front pump seal)...depending on money i would probably put in a new torque convertor too... and you can put a shift kit in it when its back in the truck...of course this is as long as the transmission is in good shape besides the leak...