Opinions!! Can't Decide What To Do.......

[Huskerboy2]

I'm getting back to my '72 Blazer frame off restoration after a long break. It's great to be back on this board......great people and an incredible resource for working on these old trucks.

I'm a die hard fan of stock trucks and I'm going all stock on this build, right down to the white steelies and NOS caps. I bought this Blazer about 17 years ago from the original owner's family after he passed away: 80,000 miles, 350, 4 spd., power steering and brakes, air conditioning, single wall top, etc. It's a base model, but does have a few options. Pretty solid truck overall.

I'm going to add a few factory options that it didn't come with, like tilt (I have a restored factory 4 speed tilt I've been saving), tach dash, chrome trim deluxe door panels and am/fm radio. I do have an aftermarket Smittybuilt roll bar and I am toying with the idea of putting a 2" or 4" lift on it.

The big question is, do I keep the 4 spd.? I toyed with the idea of converting this to a TH350 auto and over the years I hoarded all the parts to be able to do it. Tranny, t-case, tilt column, etc. Maybe I'm just getting old, but from a driveability standpoint, the auto sounds good to me.

What do you guys think? I know it's been asked a thousand times on here. I like the idea of keeping the truck what it always was, but I like the idea of an auto and I have all the parts to do it.

Thanks guys.