3 on the tree to sm465

[Charlie71C10]

Hey guys, new to the site. Just wondering if anyone had swapped a 3 on the tree for a sm465? Any pros or cons or driveshaft info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[geezer#99]

Biggest stumbling block is the need for a high hump floor to give room for the taller trans.
You’d need to cut out your low hump and acquire a high hump and bolt it in.

[gmc684x4]

I would scrounge a manual steering column to get rid of the 3 in the tree shifter

You will need a high hump floor pan
Securing the floor pan you could weld up the original bolt ring underneath the floor pan or rivnut the main floor pan or use sheetmetal screws to hold it in

I used sheet metal screws on my 68 years ago

Not sure driveshaft differences between 3 in the tree and 4 on the floor i took mine from 2x4 to 4x4 when i did it

Plenty of these trucks are 4 on the floor so finding a used drive shaft shouldnt be to hard

[RichardJ]

You also need a bell housing with a 5 1/8" hole for the bearing retainer. You will need a longer driveshaft.

I found the swap to be well worth it when i did it 30 + years ago.

Today, i would have looked at it from the perspective that it isn't much more work to install a 5 speed. The bigger question becomes which 5 speed.

[gmc684x4]

For 5 speeds nv 4500 there tough almost as tough as the old 4 speeds
Nv3500 in many 88 98 1/2 tons
Nv4500 can be converted to manual clutch

T5 swap there are a few that swap
camaro parts and s10 parts to get the shifter forward

That is the problem with the camaro 5 and six speeds shifter would be under the front of the bench seat or switch to buckets to use it where it pops up

[best view]

My 3 on the tree is a 4x4 so I would only need the 4speed or do I have to change the transfer case to

[Charlie71C10]

I’m assuming the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel are different?

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Charlie71C10

I’m assuming the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel are different?

Shouldn’t be.
Spline count on the input shaft would be the only consideration. Would be 10 or 26 spline depending on year or trans used.

Adaptor rings are available if you need to mate a small bearing housing trans to a large bearing housing bellhousing.

Are you looking for a heavier duty trans or just want a better feeling trans?

[gmc684x4]

Clutch flywheel pressureplate will be the same behousing may differ

Never seen a 3 in the tree 4x4
4x4 stick options i have seen in these trucks are sm420 and t221
Sm465 and 205 tcase

Granny low in 4x4 can be very helpful

[Charlie71C10]

It’s a 2wd C10

[geezer#99]

What do you use it for?
A daily driver. Pulling or hauling stuff?

[Charlie71C10]

Nothing yet. Just the beginning of a frame off restoration of the truck. It belonged to a good friend who bought it new and let it get really bad over the years. Going to give it to my daughter as a weekend cruiser when it’s done

[geezer#99]

Might be better to swap in an automatic trans.
Easy to do with the body out of the way.
Lots of options and opinions on that idea though.

[Charlie71C10]

I like having a stick. Plus it’s good to have your kids know how to as well. Makes driving a little more fun. It came with 3 pedals and I’d like to leave it that way lol

[geezer#99]

Hurst makes the 3speed master shift if you want a floor shifter.
You need to add another 100 bucks to the shifter price for an installation kit.



https://www.holley.com/products/driv.../parts/3667271

[palallin]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Clutch flywheel pressureplate will be the same behousing may differ

Never seen a 3 in the tree 4x4
4x4 stick options i have seen in these trucks are sm420 and t221
Sm465 and 205 tcase

Granny low in 4x4 can be very helpful

In the FWIW category -
'69: SM465 and T221

[gmc684x4]

I would look for a nv4500 5 speed make the truck more highway friendly and tougher of the newer trannies

I am looking for one for my k30 project

I was going to use nv3500 in my lowrider project not being able to shift gears with my broken leg changed my mind to go to a 4l80e for it