Stick or no stick as we get older

[Tommyups]

In the very near future I will be putting a LS in my 67.
Right now I have a straight 6 - 292 with 4 on the floor.
I have to say, I love driving the stick, even with a small engine it’s like a little race truck. So I’m really torn on whether to keep the stick or go auto.
I drive the truck about 50% of the time and garage in the winter.
The biggest reason I’m contemplating this is because of my age, I’m 56 and I want to be able to enjoy this truck for the next 25 years. I worry about my knees as I get older and maybe I might just get tired of shifting.
What are your guys thoughts?
Tommy

[body bolt]

I'd keep it manual but install a more modern gearbox with O/D.

[Tommyups]

Yes if I did keep the stick, it would definitely have a modern five or six speed OD

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Tommyups

In the very near future I will be putting a LS in my 67.
Right now I have a straight 6 - 292 with 4 on the floor.
I have to say, I love driving the stick, even with a small engine it’s like a little race truck. So I’m really torn on whether to keep the stick or go auto.
I drive the truck about 50% of the time and garage in the winter.
The biggest reason I’m contemplating this is because of my age, I’m 56 and I want to be able to enjoy this truck for the next 25 years. I worry about my knees as I get older and maybe I might just get tired of shifting.
What are your guys thoughts?
Tommy

My name is Tom and I am also 56. Go hydraulic and never look back, if you enjoy a manual trans.

[geezer#99]

We could start a club!LOL!
My middle name is Thomas!
I’m a couple years older. Almost 70.
I went to an automatic as a preference in the last 10 years.
Bad knees, bad back. Got to the point where I had to grab my knee to lift it for clutch action.
Not safe!

I’ve passed up some good buys just because they’re manual.

[kwmech]

I've been going back and forth. My 68 is a stick with a Ranger OD. Fun splitting the gears now and then. But my 69 has an auto with a gear vendor. Even with my bad back, shifting isn't too bad but sometimes I just want to kick back and let the truck do its thing

[Smitty]

Can"t remember if it was laziness or old age. But about 15 yrs. ago I swapped a 700r4 into mine. and haven't regretted it. At the time it was my daily driver. And frequent stop and go made the auto a Godsend.

[Tommyups]

Yes, I like the idea of the Tom club
Thanks for the input so far, as of now my knees are fine but who knows what’s gonna happen down the road right

[layinrocker65]

I dont know if budget will change your mind but modern sticks are really expensive. Might make the decision easier.

[jjzepplin]

I am installing a T56 6 speed in my Blazer. I could not help it after driving the Trans Am donor it was in. The 6.0 LQ9 is going in next after the AFR heads get installed. Those 4 speed granny transmissions have their place like on ranch trucks or 4x4ing as well as very usable for boat launching and stump pulling. I actually have some picks of the very large stump I pulled with my stock 307ci 4x4 4 spd. However, my 4x4 now has a 700r4 coupled to a np203 crawl box and then the NP205. Absolutely awesome for boat launching. I am 52 and should be getting my Blazer up and running soon as I am done flipping houses for now.

[Tommyups]

How much did you pay for that T 56

[jjzepplin]

I bought the TA for $1500 and took the engine and trans computer and clutch master and some other stuff off and sold the body for $800. Car had 150,000 miles but ran perfect. This type of deal is hard to find but not impossible.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I am 87 now & have had manual trans in my trucks for 70 years. I sold the last one (56 Chevy pickup) about 2 years when I bought a 72 Super. I won't look back. I do wish I had a 700R4 in it though.
George

[Accelo]

I would go with the automatic. I like shifting but there is no other way to get an working overdrive that costs less. (with localized exceptions). The 6 speed is a double overdrive. Meaning both 5 and 6th gears are overdrive. In my area good luck finding a T56 for under $2K. Because of this I would recommend an automatic, specifically the 1987 to 1992 700R4 or 4L60. They are the same transmission with different names. First thing you will notice how much quieter your truck is on the highway. Engine noise is a big component of the overall noise on these early trucks. A common differential ratio for out trucks is 3:73. To get the equivalent ratio, they same engine rpm with a standard 1:1 RATIO transmission, like you have now, you would have to install a 2:61 differential ratio. The math is 3:70 * .7 = 2:61. ------- .7 is the overdrive ratio.
Rick

[LS short box]

I had a T56 magnum in my 68 C10. Drove it for 2 summers like that and swapped in a built 4L60E. 2800 stall converter. I never looked back.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by LS short box

I had a T56 magnum in my 68 C10. Drove it for 2 summers like that and swapped in a built 4L60E. 2800 stall converter. I never looked back.

How much did that run you? If you don't mind me asking.

[Tommyups]

I’m impressed George!! Keep on trucking😊

[Tommyups]

I did think a little bit on the availability of these five and six speeds and the price, that might come down to the deciding factor
Thanks for the info on the overall noise level

[jimijam00]

The stick has turned out to be a pretty good anti-theft device.

[custom10nut]

You said it in your first paragraph. You enjoy the 4speed. I’m assuming that you have the Granny Gear 4spd? If yes then just put a Saginaw or Muncie 4spd in. The put a 2-2bbl carb intake manifold on it to make it that much more fun.
So many times I wish I had the 4spd, or even the 3 on the tree in my truck, but my truck is about 95% original, so I don’t want to mess with Awesome

[68 C10 Driver]

I am 59, and I am a die-hard manual transmission fan. I will make one concession and install a hydraulic clutch, but that is it.

My 2006 MINI, 1972 MGB, '68 C10, and '76 Mini are all manual transmissions.

[body bolt]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

I am 59, and I am a die-hard manual transmission fan. I will make one concession and install a hydraulic clutch, but that is it.

My 2006 MINI, 1972 MGB, '68 C10, and '76 Mini are all manual transmissions.

I'm 65 would have my '74 MGB no other way.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by body bolt

I'm 65 would have my '74 MGB no other way.

I hear you. Gotta love the MGB.

[Tommyups]

Yes, I do have the granny gear
I am impressed with so many of the older driver still driving a stick

[72c20customcamper]

I still have a standard in my Chevelle with a centerforce dual friction clutch . Its has a light peddle so it's easy on the knee . The Tacoma has a hydrolic clutch