Drive train ideas for light duty shop truck.

[vintagetin]

I've got a '62 C10 Stepside with a 235 and a three on the tree. I just moved to Michigan from Florida and the total drive was almost exactly 1,000 miles. Drove the truck the whole way with some furniture in the back. The truck did great!! I was pushing her to about 65 mph and it sounded like the little six was going to blow cast iron chunks all over the interstate. I didn't want to push it so hard but I also didn't want to be on the road for three days.

My Goal: Build a truck that still feels and looks like an old beater truck, but can cruise dependably, and comfortably down the interstate and still be able to occasionally haul a car on a dolly.

I could go three routes:

1. T-5 Swap....could non WC handle towing a 3,500 pound car for a thousand miles in 4th (direct drive).

2. old school cast iron 4-speed with granny 7:1 gear. This way I could put 3.23 or even longer legs in the rear axle instead of those miserable 4.11's or 3.73's it has in it now and the granny gear would help that little 235 get all the weight moving. I would be awesome if I could find a column shifter for a four speed.

3. two speed, lever engaged, rear axle (if such a thing exists). This way I could keep the standard on the column.


What do you think would be the cheapest, and most dependable route? One thing I will not negotiate..the six banger. I love the 235. It looks awesome, sounds awesome, and I'm very impressed with it's power and economy. Plus it has quite an aftermarket following.

What do you think?