Automatic to Manual transmission swap

[dlanders]

This may be a stupid question but...... What parts do I need to swap a 350 auto over to a 4 speed manual? My truck is a 85. The auto tranny needs to be rebuilt so I figured this would be the time to change over. Is there anywhere I can buy the whole clutch assembly new or do I have to find a donor vehicle? If I have to find a manual tranny donor vehicle will any 73-87 work?

[bagged81]

I am pondering the same thing so I will interested to learn this too. I did an 93 Mustang once and it was suprisingly easy.

[Drzronnie]

If you wanna go with a truck 4 speed i would just find a a wreck that you can buy the pedal assy, linkage, and trans out of. Otherwise grab a car trans and you can get a generic z bar, that just leaves you needing a pedal. I am thinking I am gonna put a 4 speed in my truck. It is a shame that I have so much to do before I get around to the trans or else I would take pics for ya.

[purplehavoc]

I did this swap on my 86 4x4.
Bought a new clutch and flywheel.
Off the donor i used the clutch/brake pedal assembly,cross member
Z bar and frame bracket,and i clipped the reverse light pigtail as well.
My stock drive shaft bolted up.
Dimples were already in the floor pan for the shifter and where the clutch
linkage passes through the firewall.

Pretty easy swap overall.
Are you going with a truck or a car trans?

[GMC91]

Im wanting to do the same thing to my 86 4x4. My question is will my transfer case bolt up to a 5 speed trans? And if so, what all will I need and what kinda trans would I want to find? This is gonna be a show truck so it wont see any abuse off road or on.

[purplehavoc]

Which 5 speed do you want to use?
Do you still have the NP208 in your truck?

[GMC91]

Honestly I have no clue what transfer case I have, I dont know how to tell which is which. And as for the transmission, what ever I can use I guess.

[purplehavoc]

There should be a tag on the back of the t-case with the ident #.
The 208 is an aluminum case and uses a rear slip yoke.
I believe you could find some 5 speeds in these trucks in 87 and up.(could be wrong),but they were also a weak tranny.

If it is just going to be a show truck and for cost reasons i would just find a
4 speed manual with what ever t-case you want to run and swap that in.

When i did my swap i went with the cast iron gear driven NP205 t-case,just for durability issues,as it gets used hard.

[GMC91]

Just looked it up, from what it says its a NP208, the casting number is C-15085. I aint to sure but thats what a quick google search came up with. And I want a 5 speed just cause there fun to shift, but if a 4 speed would be better and cheaper, then thats what I will go with.

[purplehavoc]

There are different 5 speeds you can swap in like the nv4500,but
you will pay more for the tranny and you may need an adapter or
different t-case to get your front output on the proper side.
The old sm465 cast iron 4 speed trannys are a dime a dozen,but obviously
lack the overdrive and there is a big gap between third and fourth.

All depends on how you are going to use it and how much you want to spend.

[GMC91]

It will be a weekend crusier of sorts. Mostly it will just sit under a car cover. ANd on the tranny, as little as possible cause this is a budget build of sorts also. I would put a 4 speed in it just as fast as a 5 speed if thats what will work the easiest and last the longest.

[purplehavoc]

If it is just going to be a toy of sorts,i would go with the 4 spd.
You can probably find a complete 4 spd donor truck cheaper then you
can get a 5 spd tranny.At least that's the way it is around here.

[GMC91]

Alright thanks, thats what I will do then.