Standard tranny swap

**JaxRhapsody** · 08-14-2008, 03:51 PM

Was the 3 speed the only manual you could get for these trucks? Personally I'd like a autotragic for a offroad vehicle, just expanding my options past a 4speed auto. before you say anything greasedog the tranny is just about gone. I'm prety sure the transmissions from the cars would fit. Not a simple swap I know but what advantages does a offroader have with a standard versus a automatic.

**Whifflebat** · 08-14-2008, 04:23 PM

For rock crawling I'd take an auto, for just about anything else I'd be happy with a manual.

My former boss swapped an nv4500 into a '90 2500 suburban, I think he had to do a body lift to make it fit.

**Swearingsailor6** · 08-14-2008, 06:19 PM

I put an SM465 into my 86C10 in place of the 700R4 and I am happy with it. I don't have the overdrive like i used too, but it sure has more low-end grunt and it really woke the engine up. The swap was very simple, and everything was bolt-on. I've been looking for a newer 5 speed to put in it, and I may eventually find one, but i am happy for now.

**campaug86** · 08-14-2008, 08:20 PM

hmm, i was thinking the same thing jax, swapping out my th400 for like a saggy three or four speed, but was not sure on where the shifter would come up thru the floor or how long of a shifter i would need.

**Sinister C3** · 08-14-2008, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Whifflebat

For rock crawling I'd take an auto, for just about anything else I'd be happy with a manual.

My former boss swapped an nv4500 into a '90 2500 suburban, I think he had to do a body lift to make it fit.

Hmmm I would have thought the NV4500 would fit, not real familiar with the 73-87 style trucks though. The NV4500 is a badarse trans.

**bored&stroked** · 08-15-2008, 05:41 PM

The sm465 was in most of the manual tranny 73-87's. They are a super low 1st gear 4speed that shift about as fast as a grandma could work the lever. For off roading Im sure they kick arse but for a street truck they suck, and are not bulletproof as some might try to tell you.

You can put any 3 or 4sp manual tranny from GM in there, as well as most 5 and 6 speeds along with a host of other transmissions that aren't OEM. I have a 4 speed from a 64 corvette in my 78 with a hurst indy shifter, by far the best mod I ever did to it[the sm465 blew up].

**campaug86** · 08-15-2008, 11:16 PM

sorry to jack your thread jax, but ive just been recently contemplating this, borednstroked, where does the shifter come up and how long does it have to be? what other things did you have to do to get it to work well?

**GreaseDog** · 08-16-2008, 01:38 AM

4wd... you're going to have to swap EVERYTHING. clutch and brake pedals, associated linkage, transfer case adapter, input gear in the trans (over your head for sure), driveshafts, plus making sure the speedo is geared correctly.

stick with an automatic, the swap from auto to auto is well within your experience range. the manual swap is a bit more involved. nothing with OD was available in a manual before 88.

**campaug86** · 08-16-2008, 01:02 PM

he might want od, ive got a 2wd, i would like to shift my own gears please.

**GreaseDog** · 08-16-2008, 06:52 PM

if you're after OD with a TH350 stock, a 700R4 is a pretty simple swap. remove trans, install 700R4 in its place, adjust driveshaft length, set up the TV cable (VERY IMPORTANT) and you're good to go.