5 Speed Stick In 4x4? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

moose326 · 12-03-2002, 08:45 AM

SEEING AS HOW MY TH350 IN MY 69 K10 HAS LET ME DOWN, I AM THINKING OF PUTTING A 5 SPEED MANUAL IN IT. PROBLEM IS IM NOT SURE WHAT TO LOOK FOR. I KNOW THAT I DONT WANT AN AUTO ANYMORE. IT WAS A 4SPEED WITH A ROCKWELL BEHIND IT. BUT IT WENT TO HELL. I HAVE 410 GEARS IN IT AND DONT LIKE REVING THE PISS OUT OF IT AT 60 MPH. I DONT DRIVE THIS TRUCK HARD. JUST THE OCCASIONAL HUNTING TRIP IN THE FALL. ANYONE GOT ANY IDEAS? AND I WILL APPRECIATE ANY INFO. AND I DONT WANT THE NP203 IN IT EITHER!

Mike C · 12-03-2002, 10:12 AM

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING? GM offered the NV4500 and a Getrag 5 speed in later model trucks. You can get an adapter for the NP205 t-case to the NV4500. Be forewarned, the tranny is about $2000 used and the adapters is close to $1000. Check out www.advanceadapters.com Just getting rid of the slush box will drop RPM by at least 10% due to converter slippage. Another option is taller tires. I have 4.10 in my Jimmy with 35" BFG MTs and it turns 2600 at 65 mph. Still not economy range, but not so bad.

nu2-72 · 12-03-2002, 07:12 PM

I currently have the 4-spd and 4.10 gears. I was looking at the NV4500 also but to be honest, I think the cost and effort to convert will be too much.
This truck seems to have way too much at the low (granny) end and not near enough at the top.
I have since decided to change gears to 3.73. Since I never use the 1st gear, I basically have a three speed. By changing gears I hope to save money, (parts), use stock original parts and add a small lift with bigger tires. This should gain the most for the money. And I will still have the low 1st if I need it.
Also the speedometer will still work. The later 5-spds are electronic and expensive to adapt.
Hope this helps.

8mag · 12-03-2002, 09:08 PM

i had the nv4500 in my truck and it was okay. had all new bearings put in it and it still howled. sold the whole mess and am in th process of getting a gear vendors overdrive. the idea of splitting gears especially while towing seems like the best way. 3 gear now to low for some hills but a 3rd high should be about right .

Mike C · 12-05-2002, 09:50 AM

The gears are a good idea, but the gear vendors is not an option in a lifted 104" wb Blazer/Jimmy. The driveshaft is already too short! Best thing I did was going to a smaller cam. , 230 @ .050 always had the motor OUT of the peak torque range after a shift. If you can increase your average torque between 2000 and 4000 rpm you can take advantage of the gear spacing on the SM465. Peak power should be 4-4.5k rpm. Try a cam with max 210 @ .050 duration. I am running a 331, but a 355 or 383 with same cam should be perfect with a final drive effective ratio in the 3.30 to 3.70 range. (My 4.10s with 35" tires are effectively the same as 3.40s with a 28" tire.)

12-03-2002, 08:45 AM	#1
moose326 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: montana Posts: 8	5 Speed Stick In 4x4? SEEING AS HOW MY TH350 IN MY 69 K10 HAS LET ME DOWN, I AM THINKING OF PUTTING A 5 SPEED MANUAL IN IT. PROBLEM IS IM NOT SURE WHAT TO LOOK FOR. I KNOW THAT I DONT WANT AN AUTO ANYMORE. IT WAS A 4SPEED WITH A ROCKWELL BEHIND IT. BUT IT WENT TO HELL. I HAVE 410 GEARS IN IT AND DONT LIKE REVING THE PISS OUT OF IT AT 60 MPH. I DONT DRIVE THIS TRUCK HARD. JUST THE OCCASIONAL HUNTING TRIP IN THE FALL. ANYONE GOT ANY IDEAS? AND I WILL APPRECIATE ANY INFO. AND I DONT WANT THE NP203 IN IT EITHER!

12-03-2002, 10:12 AM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING? GM offered the NV4500 and a Getrag 5 speed in later model trucks. You can get an adapter for the NP205 t-case to the NV4500. Be forewarned, the tranny is about $2000 used and the adapters is close to $1000. Check out www.advanceadapters.com Just getting rid of the slush box will drop RPM by at least 10% due to converter slippage. Another option is taller tires. I have 4.10 in my Jimmy with 35" BFG MTs and it turns 2600 at 65 mph. Still not economy range, but not so bad. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-03-2002, 07:12 PM	#3
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	I currently have the 4-spd and 4.10 gears. I was looking at the NV4500 also but to be honest, I think the cost and effort to convert will be too much. This truck seems to have way too much at the low (granny) end and not near enough at the top. I have since decided to change gears to 3.73. Since I never use the 1st gear, I basically have a three speed. By changing gears I hope to save money, (parts), use stock original parts and add a small lift with bigger tires. This should gain the most for the money. And I will still have the low 1st if I need it. Also the speedometer will still work. The later 5-spds are electronic and expensive to adapt. Hope this helps. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

12-03-2002, 09:08 PM	#4
8mag Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: nampa idaho,usa Posts: 92	i had the nv4500 in my truck and it was okay. had all new bearings put in it and it still howled. sold the whole mess and am in th process of getting a gear vendors overdrive. the idea of splitting gears especially while towing seems like the best way. 3 gear now to low for some hills but a 3rd high should be about right . __________________ 1972 3/4 4x4,14bolt locker rear, dana44 lock right front, sm465, sb 400, blazer tank,dual batterys,3"lift,32-9.00-16 super swampers daily driver other trucks 1972 1 ton dually 4x4,454 4 spd,,235-85-16, flat bed front and rear winches, rear gas tank and under bed gun safe.tilt wheel

12-05-2002, 09:50 AM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	The gears are a good idea, but the gear vendors is not an option in a lifted 104" wb Blazer/Jimmy. The driveshaft is already too short! Best thing I did was going to a smaller cam. , 230 @ .050 always had the motor OUT of the peak torque range after a shift. If you can increase your average torque between 2000 and 4000 rpm you can take advantage of the gear spacing on the SM465. Peak power should be 4-4.5k rpm. Try a cam with max 210 @ .050 duration. I am running a 331, but a 355 or 383 with same cam should be perfect with a final drive effective ratio in the 3.30 to 3.70 range. (My 4.10s with 35" tires are effectively the same as 3.40s with a 28" tire.) __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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