Looking for opinions on what to do to my 83

[rcbildr]

My 83 4x4 diesel truck has been sitting for a while because I managed to mess up the transmission, and then I had to pull the engine to get my Burb back on the road. The truck has a 700R4 that was supposedly (bought the trans off craigslist) built to the hilt so to speak, but I did a bit of a tranny drop and (from what the local trans shop tells me) now the forward clutches are needing to be replaced.

I have an SM-465/NP-203 and all the parts necessary to convert it to a manual except drive shafts. Back when I had an SM-465 in my Burb, I loved that set up...I could go anywhere and pull almost anything. I even have the parts to make it a hydraulic clutch too.

Should I go ahead with the conversion or just keep it an automatic. I think the cost will be close to the same either way. I'm leaning towards doing the manual swap for the durabilty and fun factor of a manual. But if I get the 700R4 rebuilt properly would it be just as durable?

My plans for the truck is to put a 6.5L turbo diesel in it and put a set of 32" tires or maybe 33's if I decide to lift it...I already have a set of 15x10 chevy ralley wheels for it.

Here's a pic of the truck...it's not to pretty right now because it's still partially disassembled from when I pulled the engine.

[77shortstep]

if price is about the same i would do the stick, but it just depends on how and where you drive. stop and go traffic will sure make the fun factor wear off of the stick shift.

[rcbildr]

I will be driving it all over..commuting...wheeling...maybe towing. I'm going to run a hydraulic clutch this time on it. When I had a manual in my burb it was a mechanical clutch and at times it was work out. The more I think about it, the more I like the manual, that way I don't have to worry about the crappy 700R4 ever breaking on me again.

Getting the sm-465/np-203 in the truck will be quite a workout becasue of the weight, but I think in the long run for what I want to do, it will be better over all. One of these days I need to pull the top off the 465 and see what it looks like inside...that will probably be the determining factor. If the trans looks good and the output shaft looks good then my truck will be getting converted. Once I get my camaro going I will be moving on to the truck...I miss driving that small beast.