Originally Posted by Steeveedee (Post 9200213)

That trans would handle the torque from an I6, and give you better mileage and drivability. What's not to like?

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 9200202)

Put 170 miles on the stepper . It’s getting a little over 13 mpg . 250 I6 ,SM 465 with 4.57 gears . Truck is really buzzing around 60 mph with the 265/75 16 on it . But it runs great and I really am liking driving it . Manual steering and drums aren’t my preferred setup but it’ll lock up the brakes and I can turn it if a creep along . My next project on it will be doing the disc conversion I have the spindles rotors and calipers off a 72 also the center link . Think I’m going to make them manual disc

My biggest thing is how hard would it be to put a 5 spd in it ? Will the later transmissions from say a Camaro work ? Think it would make it a little more civilized at highway speeds

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9200385)

13 MPG is pretty good. I would change out the very low farm gears to a streetable 3.73:1 before I pulled a transmission swap.
A friend had a factory T-5 in his S/10 [forgot what year] and we changed it out three times.
On my Stepside C/10 '68 w/292 L6, SM465, 3.73 and 235/85/16, I find the Drums all-around work well enough if maintained. But I've only been driving it for 49 years and 10 months.[406,000 miles].

Maybe I'll change my mind next month.
:chevy:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 9200349)

I have to say my shoulders hurt from driving the truck around town . Forget parallel parking with this truck . Might go with a 215/80r16 front tire less contact patch area .

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 9200433)

Would have to change the whole rear . The Eaton HO 52 will not accept a gear higher than 3.91 I believe and it’s hard to find them .

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9200480)

I forgot it was a C/20. However 3.91 would be better than 4.57.

Originally Posted by Steeveedee (Post 9200434)

With all the work you do, like harvesting firewood, I would think that your shoulder muscles would be plenty strong. Maybe it's a different set of muscles?

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 9200504)

Like hens teeth to find a good set. I’ve looked for 4 years . I have a line on a Dana 60 out of a 72 with a set 3.73 Detroit locker . Getting it here is another story .

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9200597)

I was gonna say, if you're cracking the pumpkin open for a gear change, you might as well get a posi unit too.

''Stretch'' Stepsides are pretty rare too. Most of the Stepsides I see are Model 10s.

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9200606)

As I recall from the info packet from Chevrolet Heritage, GM tended to make the shortbed stepside trucks half-ton, and the longbed ones three quarters.
But if a buyer specified he wanted a longbed half-ton, or a shortbed 3/4 ton, they were more than happy to build it for him.

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 9200610)

Short bed 20?

Originally Posted by TxGary (Post 9200849)

Installed LED bulbs in dash cluster, now I can see the guages at night. Also installed a 15" steering wheel.

Originally Posted by TxGary (Post 9200849)

Installed LED bulbs in dash cluster, now I can see the guages at night. Also installed a 15" steering wheel.

Originally Posted by zicc1835 (Post 9200956)

those LEDs look fantastic do you have a part # and which supplier you purchased from ?
thanks

Originally Posted by OregonNed (Post 9201120)

One of my Heater hoses had an annoying drip, so I upgraded both with new clamps - silicone style instead of the ones I had.

Originally Posted by TxGary (Post 9200975)

SYL 194LEDBP2 Bought them at O'reilly Auto Parts. 2 pak. They make a big differance.

Originally Posted by TxGary (Post 9201275)

it only takes 4

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9201219)

Ned, could you tell us more about your clamps?
Source, price, P/N, close-ups...

They do look cool.

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man (Post 9201283)

I liked them too , They are stainless T-bolt clamps ,This picture shows me mocking them up ,I found them on Amazon . I bought 4" ones for my 4" cowl induction hose :chevy:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=t+bolt+ba...sl_te9m1vveb_e

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine (Post 9201350)

Thanks, Grumpy.

Originally Posted by OregonNed (Post 9201120)

One of my Heater hoses had an annoying drip, so I upgraded both with new clamps - silicone style instead of the ones I had.

Originally Posted by TxGary (Post 9200849)

Installed LED bulbs in dash cluster, now I can see the guages at night. Also installed a 15" steering wheel.

Originally Posted by LNP (Post 9201664)

What do you think of the silicone hoses? Did you switch the radiator hoses as well or just the heater hoses?