[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Can you post a pic of your dash and how the cable control looks? And, maybe the shifter too?

I'm not sure if this three-speed OD is worth the trouble. Seems like a T5 is more expensive, but a lot easier to implement and use.

There's a lot involved with this conversion:
3-speed shifter, modify trans cover.
cable control
solenoid wiring
kick-down switch/linkage

The driveshaft and trans mount is a given with either 3-speed OD or the T5 trans.

So my transmission uses the factory 3 speed column shifter and shift arms. Since you have a 4 speed column in your truck right now, you would most likely end up running a floor shifter for the 3 speed.

I do not know if it was factory or dealer installed, but my lockout lever uses the same knob as the rest of them and is installed in the dash. In the picture, the lockout cable is the knob closest to the steering wheel that is pulled out. The shift lever is the rusty/chrome one sticking out the right of the column. I would say that the t5 is comparable in cost to the overdrive. I got my trans for $500, had to get a kickdown switch for around $50, the new yoke for my driveshaft was around $40, the relay to work with the HEI dizzy was another $15 or so, and then I had a couple other small parts and wiring bits along the way. Oh yeah, I haven't even rebuilt the transmission yet. That'll get done eventually

I use the truck as a semi-daily driver and will haul some stuff around when needed. If I was building a truck to do some racing/hot rodding stuff, I would have gone with the t5. I decided to stick with what was most likely original to the truck and what was easiest for me to swap in (didn't have to change shifter linkages or shorten driveshaft, only needed correct slip yoke on driveshaft to work with output shaft of the 65 transmission I got). In the long run, the trans I chose will most likely be more expensive than the t5 because parts are much harder to find or not even produced anymore because it is so old. The t5 was an extremely popular transmission at the time and is still plentiful.

Long story short, since you already have the 4 speed, I would look into either a S10 t5, NV3500, or bump up to the NV4500 if you plan on doing any sort of towing. If all your plan is to have a cool, old cruiser, you won't be disappointed with the T5. Also, member Lugnutz65 has a great write-up on his website about swapping in a t5 (here).