1970 c10 tranny/column swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

swdobbs · 10-17-2002, 02:37 PM

I have a complete (rolled) '93 TBI C/K 2500 w/ 60K and a '68 TH400 to swap in my '70 C10(4 speed). Are the crossmembers different for the TH400 and TH350? Is there a good GM substitute column for our trucks (maybe S10/S15)? The 67-72 truck columns I've see are pretty well trashed. Is there a good substitute fuel cell/tank, the '93 is free but looks to big to tuck under the bed, I have to use the fuel pump.

Thanks for your time.

swdobbs..........

jmil1974 · 10-17-2002, 04:43 PM

You can use any of the 21-31 gallon tanks out of Blazers or Suburbans. Get one of the later ones that had TBI stock and you should already have the pump, sender, straps, lines and everything and SHOULD bolt up with only minor bashing, drilling, and cussing. This is a farily common mod.

Crossmembers are different but I THINK you can just slide them around and do some drilling if you don't want to find a correct one.

I've read you can use columns from 70s vans too.

Do a search on these and see what you come up with.. Lots of this has been posted before.

If it were me, I'd keep the OD tranny out of the 2500 or the 4 speed. That truck may have evn had the 4L80e, if that;s the case, go with that!

Keep an eye that your driveshaft/pinion angle stays the same during and after the swap.

crazy longhorn · 10-17-2002, 05:31 PM

Your stick truck has a bell crossmember, that needs to be cut out, & you can pick up an auto crossmember for the 67-72.....& scoot it around as already posted to get the fit. I like the 400 Turbos, as they are damn tuff, but you might look at the OD trans in the 93, as milage is good also! Your 4spd trans is pretty short, so you will be shortening the shaft to run pretty much anthing else. this isnt a big problem , as shorten & balance is far cheaper than lenthening the shaft. good luck .......crazy longhorn

swdobbs · 10-17-2002, 05:58 PM

The donor C/K has a 4 speed also, and since I've been tripping over the TH400 for about 2 years in my garage its about time to use it. I'll assume from the info above that as long as I find a crossmember that mounts towards the back of the cab it must be for an auto? Sorry if the ? sounds stupid but some of the wrecks around here are so picked over I don't know what I'm looking at.

Thanks for your help

crazy longhorn · 10-17-2002, 09:21 PM

Yes, thats correct. All of the stick trucks had the crossmember under the bell(3spds included), so if you find 1 bolted about midway under the cab it for an auto trans& should be a bolt in fit. good luck......crazy longhorn

10-17-2002, 02:37 PM	#1
swdobbs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MT Posts: 98	1970 c10 tranny/column swap I have a complete (rolled) '93 TBI C/K 2500 w/ 60K and a '68 TH400 to swap in my '70 C10(4 speed). Are the crossmembers different for the TH400 and TH350? Is there a good GM substitute column for our trucks (maybe S10/S15)? The 67-72 truck columns I've see are pretty well trashed. Is there a good substitute fuel cell/tank, the '93 is free but looks to big to tuck under the bed, I have to use the fuel pump. Thanks for your time. swdobbs..........

10-17-2002, 04:43 PM	#2
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	You can use any of the 21-31 gallon tanks out of Blazers or Suburbans. Get one of the later ones that had TBI stock and you should already have the pump, sender, straps, lines and everything and SHOULD bolt up with only minor bashing, drilling, and cussing. This is a farily common mod. Crossmembers are different but I THINK you can just slide them around and do some drilling if you don't want to find a correct one. I've read you can use columns from 70s vans too. Do a search on these and see what you come up with.. Lots of this has been posted before. If it were me, I'd keep the OD tranny out of the 2500 or the 4 speed. That truck may have evn had the 4L80e, if that;s the case, go with that! Keep an eye that your driveshaft/pinion angle stays the same during and after the swap. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

10-17-2002, 05:58 PM	#4
swdobbs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MT Posts: 98	Thanks The donor C/K has a 4 speed also, and since I've been tripping over the TH400 for about 2 years in my garage its about time to use it. I'll assume from the info above that as long as I find a crossmember that mounts towards the back of the cab it must be for an auto? Sorry if the ? sounds stupid but some of the wrecks around here are so picked over I don't know what I'm looking at. Thanks for your help

10-17-2002, 05:31 PM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Your stick truck has a bell crossmember, that needs to be cut out, & you can pick up an auto crossmember for the 67-72.....& scoot it around as already posted to get the fit. I like the 400 Turbos, as they are damn tuff, but you might look at the OD trans in the 93, as milage is good also! Your 4spd trans is pretty short, so you will be shortening the shaft to run pretty much anthing else. this isnt a big problem , as shorten & balance is far cheaper than lenthening the shaft. good luck .......crazy longhorn

10-17-2002, 09:21 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Yes, thats correct. All of the stick trucks had the crossmember under the bell(3spds included), so if you find 1 bolted about midway under the cab it for an auto trans& should be a bolt in fit. good luck......crazy longhorn



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