Manual trans help

[jgoo72]

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

[VetteVet]

Buy another truck with a standard shift already in it. I'm not kidding.

[rcbildr]

Originally Posted by VetteVet

Buy another truck with a standard shift already in it. I'm not kidding.

X2


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.

[Tom Vogel]

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.

[Camper Special 396]

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.

[haminator]

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.

[54belair]

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.

[72BBCK20]

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.

[haminator]

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?