Installed a T5 in my 62 C10

[62 Barnfind]

.I recently did a T5 swap to my 62 235 and with some trial and error I made it work. I couldn’t find anything on line except for the 48-58 trucks that had a T5 swap with a 235. For our years I only found 64-66 not 60-62. So I decided to tear it apart and get it installed without removing the engine. The three speed was easy to remove with the engine in because there is enough space to slide the trans back to angle it to clear everything. The T5 not so much. This trans is bigger and longer than the original three speed. Here are my steps I hope you can understand it.
First I had to remove the floor tunnel cover, next I removed the torsion bar x member. IF you are running another year front xmember with springs you are good. The x member wouldn't allow the T5 to slide far enough back to clear the bell housing. After reading on line that the t5 will fit in the 64-66 with a small hump I just knew that it would in the 60-62. Not so much. If you are using a small hump you will have to cut between the top two holes to give enough room to let the trans clear for the input shaft to slide in. I am still running a low hump but its a tight fit and it has some rattling in second gear. I will be changing it out for a high hump a little later. For now i'm trying to get it back on the road. Nothing else is altered on the frame.
There are many shifter bases out for the T5 but limited to the S10. Everything is for the Mustang and Camaro. I decided to cut, splice and tap the base shifter to fit the 16 in Lokar I purchased. It fits and shift great. I just need to heat the base up and set the correct angle for the shifter. You also will have to shorten your drive shaft. Call your local place to get the instructions how to measure for the correct length.
My install isn't completed all the way yet. I still have to cut out the low hump and install the high. Then install the shifter boot.
The trans really makes a difference while driving. Its nice to not have the engine running a 4000 rpms. My engine in town likes 3rd and 4th and on the high way 5th is great!
Link to parts:
Fiberglass high hump: http://www.sloshtubz.net

Shifter ball white: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-...nobs,7431.html

Shifter boot: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-...ing,45472.html

Lokar 16 in Shifter: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-...end,96866.html









I had to remove the torsion bar x member to get the trans in.

Not a good 360 pic but you can see that there is plenty of room now. Except I have to cut in between the top front tunnel cover bolts. This will allow the top of the trans to clear. If you have a high hump this cutting isn't required.

Trans installed! As you can see the lower part of the T5 is what was hitting the torsion bar x member. It wouldn't allow it to slide all the way back into the x frame.

Transcend shifter installed!