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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Vernal, Utah
Posts: 12
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Manual trans help
Alright so I have a 72 2wd automatic and I want to convert it to a manual ( I love grabbing gears ). Any way I love my classic trucks, its my passion. One problem... i'm no where near mechanically inclined! I'm learning. I know a guy who is a motor head and is teaching me as we go. But someone please tell me where to begin. So far I have gathered from similar threads that I need a donor truck, check. As far as what transmission to get.... no clue. I have the cash to buy everything new and have been looking at complete kits, but seriously its all hieroglyphics to me. Any info would help.
Sincerely, The Green Horn |
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#2 |
Msgt USAF Ret
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,714
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Re: Manual trans help
Buy another truck with a standard shift already in it. I'm not kidding.
__________________
VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Gold Bar, WA
Posts: 1,216
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Re: Manual trans help
Quote:
If you have the room, that would be the easiest until you get a feel for what you ultimately want. I did the conversion (and back again) on my girlfriend's 85 diesel burb. When I had it the 700R4 went out and I found a sreamin' deal on all the parts to convert it to an SM-465....man it was a beast with that trans but the clutch pedal was pretty heavy. Shortly before I gave her the Burb, I converted it back to an automatic so she could drive it...put in a TH-400. It's a lot of work, and if I had to do it again, I would buy another truck that had what I wanted.
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My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28 |
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#4 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: Manual trans help
I converted my 2wd Jimmy to a 5 spd. We fabbed the crossmember and I found an nos z-bar setup. If you have the money, I would check out Keisler Automotives website, they offer complete kits that are pre engineered for these trucks. You could easily do that and you wouldnt have any surprises.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: East Greenville PA
Posts: 28
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Re: Manual trans help
I converted my 69 C20 to a manual transmission. Items needed from a donor truck included: SM465, manual trans cross member, clutch pedal and linkage.
Those items are obvious, some other thinks to think about are: (1) drive shaft, you will need a different length drive shaft which may or may not be the same as the donor set up. I had to have one custom made to get the right fit, that was a $150. (2) May need a "High Hump" floor pan cover because of the size of the manual transmission. This required me to cut out the floor or my existing truck and then bolt on the high hump cover from the donor truck. Many of the automatic trucks do not have the high hump unless it had the Turbo 400 trans. My 68 is a high hump Turbo 400. (3) Reverse light wiring will have to be redone, which is probably the least of your worries. (4) Steering Column, I never got around to changing column so my truck still looks like an automatic although it is a four speed manual. Confusing to some people. Was it worth it? Absolutely! I have three tow vehicles and the manual SM 465 is my best towing transmission. It is a lot of work. |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Prescott Valley AZ
Posts: 345
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Re: Manual trans help
If you go with a 435 or 465 try to get one that does not have the "granny" low 1st gear unless you need to pull some tree stumps out. You'll prolly never need that 1st gear other wise. I really don't care for the wide 2nd to 3rd gear spacing the granny low 465 has either. Good trannys but I wish I would have kept the T-350 in my 4x4. Never broke it though unlike the T-350.
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: bolivar, mo
Posts: 839
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Re: Manual trans help
Its very easy to change over to a car 4 speed. And from what Ive heard a 5 speed isnt that difficult.
Im changing my truck which has a 700r4 to a muncie M 20 4 speed out of a 68 chevelle. Parts for this type swap are easy to come by--mostly found used.
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1997 shortie stepside 1968 short stepside 1966 mustang 1966 chevelle ss Dont always go the cheapest route--You can save yourself into the poorhouse! My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489030 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 27
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Re: Manual trans help
Depends on which transmission you want, but I agree get a donor truck. If the SM465 is good for you I would aim for a 86+ C10/C20 4 speed truck this way you can salvage the hydralic set up. I did that for mine k20 and I love the softer pedal.
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Prescott Valley AZ
Posts: 345
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Re: Manual trans help
Funny I just noticed you are in Vernal Utah. A buddy of mine just bought some property there. Anyway too bad your not closer, I have a complete 465 out of a 71. Gettin cold up there yet?
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