Manual transmission options?

[wrapumup]

Hi folks! I have now purchased a 3rd truck, crazy I guess. It has a 3 spd on the column, I want at the least to put a shifter on the floor. I know everyone is into automatics. What else can I put in? 4 spd? From what? I have seen nothing about anyone putting in a newer 5sp, maybe they won't work. Thanks! I will be needing lots of help. Decided this was a great site also and just subscribed!

[KCW]

I put a Richmond 6 speed in mine. Fits nice!!

[Jim_PA]

I'm going to be putting in a super T-10 4 speed, and hopefully someday upgrade to a Tremmec 5 speed.

I prefer manual over slush box any day of the week.

[sleepyboy]

muncie 4

[jimmydean]

I will be tossing the granny 4 for a 5 (or 6) after everything else is done. I bought my truck because it was a stick.

Auto's can be cool, but I would rather shift my truck.

[wrapumup]

I love sticks myself, glad to see there are some of us. I do want something besides the 3 on the tree though.

[C10 krazy]

personally I like the old granny low 4 speeds.I'm using one with dual glass packs behind headers and I have 3.73 gears in the rear this baby wont when many races but it will be telling me a story or two going down the highway.

[lilred67]

i put a sm465 4 speed in place of my 3 speed.it was donated from a '68 c-10.

[Mechdawg]

Im using the gm 3 speed with a floor shifter. Love the manual tranny not sure if this one will work out or not but I would prefer to stay manual. Probally go richmond 6 later on....

[70rs/ss]

I have a line on a vette 6-speed for $1500 and or a 5-speed for less, but I also want a TKO 5-speed for my 70 Camaro. If I do that $3k!! I'll be selling the rebuilt muncie from the Camaro, I was not aware that this was a common swap (car trans in a truck?) Learn something new every day.

[jhwkns]

saginaw 4-speed from a 2nd gen. camaro.. cheap, and easy..

[409biscayne]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

saginaw 4-speed from a 2nd gen. camaro.. cheap, and easy..

[71chevytruckguy]

the easiest thing would be a four speed saginaw from a vega or camaro. same input and and output shafts and same lenght and no driveshaft mods. hurst makes a shifter for the you can get at jegs.com. there pretty strong. heard there as good as munci's. i've got one in my 69 and have been giving it hell with no problems. chris.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 71chevytruckguy

the easiest thing would be a four speed saginaw from a vega or camaro. same input and and output shafts and same lenght and no driveshaft mods. hurst makes a shifter for the you can get at jegs.com. there pretty strong. heard there as good as munci's. i've got one in my 69 and have been giving it hell with no problems. chris.

Muncie M20,M21,and M22s bolt right in.Why Sag it when you can crush it?

[71chevytruckguy]

Originally Posted by special-K

Muncie M20,M21,and M22s bolt right in.Why Sag it when you can crush it?

sag's are about $200 around here and m22's around $800ish. that's that enough said. my sag's been holdin up fine in my '69 and i've been givin it hell. chris.

[Mechdawg]

would love to have one in mine

[chevybill]

I have a nv3500 from behind a 4.3 v-6 s-10 truck. This same tranny was used on the 88-98 C1500 half ton trucks. (I have a 92 bought new with this same tranny) This tranny is fine for a stock type output engine.
I got the tranny, clutch assembly, driveshaft and flywheel for $600 from a local junkyard. It came out of a low mileage totaled truck. You can convert the speedometer using any number of conversion mechanisms. I will only use the tranny and the flywheel(resurfaced) and new clutch assembly.

[Green Machine]

Try to find a 4 speed with overdrive from a 81-87 1/2 ton, thats my favorite.

[davidh]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

Try to find a 4 speed with overdrive from a 81-87 1/2 ton, thats my favorite.

I just saw one of these 81-87 trannies last week. I think it's going to get pulled soon. I thought of grabbing it but was not familiar with it. I remember seeing it was 4speed with the 4 as OD. I think it was behind a 6cyl. I thought of grabbing it for my 67 with a 292. How is it geared? anything to improve mpg since it looks like it's going to hit $3.00 very soon.
As far as those 2nd gen camaro saginaw 4speeds I'm not impressed. Back in the 80s I saw a neighbor destroy at least 3 of those his SR year of highschool but maybe that's why that were short lived. I have a muncie 4speed I've kept and glad I did. I don't think I'd put it in a truck

Personally I think the 3 on the tree if working right is neat. Great conversation piece. Seems like nobody (but older responsible people who used to drive them) ask to borrow your truck.
If you're going to convert it get the decent 3speed shifter that's $200 not the el cheapo $75 unit. You will be much happier.

[Huck]

How about an early 3speed with overdrive---. Cheep and effective.

[JIMS1972STEPSIDE]

I have a 72 step that I have a Hurst shifter I want to put and get rid of the three on the tree and put a new column in along with p/s, but not sure if the shifter will hit the bench seat or not, maybe someone can chime in with thoughts on this.

[sdmahr]

My 69' had a Hurst shifter installed to replace the 3 on tree and it was close to the seat but it didn't hit it. Mount it a little bit forward and it should be OK.

[special-K]

Can`t beat a Muncie.They don`t call them Rockcrushers for nothing.I only made my comment because it was said A Saginaw was the easiest way to go and the Muncies are just as easy,that`s all.One day I was home,broke,and bored.I couldn`t afford a lock-washer.I went outside to see how far I could get with pulling the 3spd to make room for the M22 I had to go in.Got the 3spd out in about 1/2 hour,so I got the M22 to hold up to see what I needed.By the time my room mate was home from work I had already taken it out for a trial run,nothing bought.I`d have driven it more,but no gas money.I was happy when he said he`d put some in it if we drove it somewhere that evening.

[toddtheodd]

What does it take to convert an auto to a manual?

[Brainchild]

The clutch pedal,linkage,and z-bar and trans tunnel.Which are fairly easy to find in salvage yards.Of course bellhousing,clutch,pressure plate flywheel ect.