Does anyone know what the best year(s) of 700r4 are good to rebuild. i have an 82 model but i heard that the 84 and newer were better to use?

The newer the better. I built an 83, but had to put a lot of updates in it. If you are going to abuse it, go to this link; transmission center

Read up and they can supply you with whatever you need. I do not work for them, it's just that they have a lot of good information.

ETA; another good info place and here

 

I'm NOT a trans. guy but I've always heard that anything between an '87 -'91 is the best place to start, after that they are 4L60E's (????) me thinks.

 

Yep, 87-91.

Vince

 

Depends on whether you want to rebuild a non-Auxilliary 700 or an Auxilliary 700.

Non-Aux best is 1986. Avoid 1982-early1984 - costs way too much because of the updates needed.

Aux generally all pretty good, but 90 up is best.

 

What was/is the purpose of the auxiliary valve body?