how do i go about installing a tranny temp guage in my 700r4 thats in my 78 blazer? like where does the temp probe go and why are tranny temp guages so expensive? why cant i use one of those off the shelf engine temp guages? and whats the safe temp operating range of the 700r4??  please reply quick cuz i really want to get this done as soon as possible      

your best bet is to drill and tap a sensor in the pan.  dont go cheapo on the gauge you want an accurate reading.

as far as optimal temp.  160 to 200.  

A quality engine temp gauge will work fine but you want one the clearing displays temps in the range mentioned above. you do not want to get much above 220 even for short periods if you want long tranny life.  

what about installing the temp probe in one of the pipe plugs on the side of the tranny?? i really don't want to have to drop pan and drill it  

I really think you want this in the pan to get a better indication of tranny temps. In theory,a inline sensor would actually record temps that are a little higher (assuming you use correct sensor too) because as fluid is pressurized by pump it warms it a bit further.  

are you guys familiar wiht the plugs im talking about? i checked today and on the passenger side there are two threaded holes that stick out of the body of the transmission and they both have bolts plugging them so it looks like if i just removed the bolt and screwed in the temp probe for gauge it would be way easier and quicker but what are these plugs for will they work for temp sensor?  

anyone???  

they might be for the tranny cooler lines if the tranny doesnt have them...are they side by side right next to each other? if so then I would try to use one of them. and if the probe is too small then you could put a bushing in to make it fit.  

I would drop pan drill and hole and braze in a fitting and be done with it. The added bonus of this is that most pans no longer have drain plugs and you would gain in that you could remove sensor to drain fluid.  

That would be a good excuse to change the filter as well.  

no the plugs im talking about arn't the tranny cooler lines those are connected to my radiator, and the reason i don't want to drop pan is cuz the fluid and filter are fresh, since the tranny was recently installed, but yeah that does sound good about having a drain for tranny pan hmmm but what are those plugs for?? does fluid pass through there? and if like you say snoman the pump will heat up the fluid more will it be a significant amount to really throw off my readings?  

come on guys, does anyone know if those plugs on side of 700r4, not cooler lines, will work for trans temp sensor? ive been looking for trans temp guages and the gauges themselves are like 50 bucks plus the 15 bucks for the weld in or screw in bung for sensor,    

Sorry but I would do it in pan and get a truer reading on oil temps. In case the high temps could be buffered a bit by case passages and also read high at times because pressurizing oil heats it up some.  

okay i guess ill drop the pan but what are the differnt ways to put in the threaded fitting? it seems like some have wahsers on both sides that bolt up tight ot pan and squeze wahsers to seal against leaks and the others you weld up, wat works??  

I have used the weld in type and the kit with the two washers and can say the screw-in type with washers worked just fine.