I'm tired of being a shiftless SOB

[Lugnutz65]

A T56 is a very nice option. I wish I could afford one. They are stronger and can hook up to a cable speedo if that is what you want. Check the prices to see if your budget allows. There is an additional cost for the kit that moves the shifter forward so you can use it in a trick with a bench seat.

About the cable speedo. Just 2 days ago I discovered a web page that shows a very practical way to modify and make a Camaro tail housing work for a bench seat. It's brilliant. I sure wish I had thought of it. I can PM more info to you if you want. I have not yet added that info to my website.
I predict that you can install a nice WC Camaro T5 in your truck for under $600 bottom line for everything including drive shaft.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

About the cable speedo. Just 2 days ago I discovered a web page that shows a very practical way to modify and make a Camaro tail housing work for a bench seat. It's brilliant. I sure wish I had thought of it. I can PM more info to you if you want. I have not yet added that info to my website.
I predict that you can install a nice WC Camaro T5 in your truck for under $600 bottom line for everything including drive shaft.

Yes, send me that info, or I will wait until you add it to your T-5 pages. Thanks

[cArNaGe]

Can you PM that info to me also?

[cArNaGe]

After searching for a long time for a tailhousing from an S-10, I found this.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by cArNaGe

After searching for a long time for a tailhousing from an S-10, I found this.

ouch... that hurts.

[cArNaGe]

I was at the pick a part on Friday afternoon and found another one. I noticed mine was cracked last night (just bought it last week). So if no one took it Saturday, I'll go get it in the morning. Glad I took Monday off.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

There's nothing like Shifting Gears. I have been Shifting now for 43 years straight and have no plans of ever changing!!

[bonehead]

I've been researching the option of the NP440 (MY6) 4 speed OD, now that I have a handle on the BW t-5 option. The NP440 was offered in GM trucks from 1981-1986 and was offered for gas and diesel engines. It seems to be a HD piece and the ratio is very similar to the 700R4 auto OD trans.

GM New Process A833/NP440
1st 3.09 2nd 1.67 3rd 1.00 4th .73 OD

GM 700r4 4 speed Automatic w/ Converter Lock Up
1st 3.06 2nd 1.63 3rd 1.00 4th .70 OD

From what I have read, the hard part to find for this configuration is the shifter and rods. Hurst made it for GM and no longer does, but I found one on evil-bay and snagged it at a cheap price. I also have a local source for a rebuilt NP440 transmission. (pic is for reference, not my trans)

So, what do you guys think of this option? The NP440 will fit right, the shifter will sit in the right place, the speedo will screw right in, and its HD, and my truck stays 100% 1/2 ton truck for towing and such...

All opinions are welcome, pro or con.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by bonehead

I've been researching the option of the NP440 (MY6) 4 speed OD, now that I have a handle on the BW t-5 option. The NP440 was offered in GM trucks from 1981-1986 and was offered for gas and diesel engines. It seems to be a HD piece and the ratio is very similar to the 700R4 auto OD trans.

GM New Process A833/NP440
1st 3.09 2nd 1.67 3rd 1.00 4th .73 OD

GM 700r4 4 speed Automatic w/ Converter Lock Up
1st 3.06 2nd 1.63 3rd 1.00 4th .70 OD

From what I have read, the hard part to find for this configuration is the shifter and rods. Hurst made it for GM and no longer does, but I found one on evil-bay and snagged it at a cheap price. I also have a local source for a rebuilt NP440 transmission. (pic is for reference, not my trans)

So, what do you guys think of this option? The NP440 will fit right, the shifter will sit in the right place, the speedo will screw right in, and its HD, and my truck stays 100% 1/2 ton truck for towing and such...

All opinions are welcome, pro or con.

It's a good choice. You are about 2 weeks too late because I found one about an hour from you COMPLETE with hurst shifter and linkage and bell. EVERYTHING was there. I did NOT buy it but I was tempted to. Guy wanted $250. Sorry if I just made you cry.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

It's a good choice. You are about 2 weeks too late because I found one about an hour from you COMPLETE with hurst shifter and linkage and bell. EVERYTHING was there. I did NOT buy it but I was tempted to. Guy wanted $250. Sorry if I just made you cry.

Shoot me his contact number, maybe its still for sale? Doesn't hurt to ask him. Thanks, )bone(

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Shoot me his contact number, maybe its still for sale? Doesn't hurt to ask him. Thanks, )bone(

Listing is gone and I had referred his contact number to 66Submarine. He was gonna buy but then the guy sold it to someone else cause he didn't wanna ship it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Listing is gone and I had referred his contact number to 66Submarine. He was gonna buy but then the guy sold it to someone else cause he didn't wanna ship it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.

OK, many thanks. Yes, please keep your eyes peeled for a NP440 setup.

Back to the research...

[66BigBackWindow]

Crazy, not even close. I went back and forth a lot when I was looking for a truck. 3 speed or powerglide? The one I found was an original auto truck that now has a th400. My brother has a 65 SWB 350/3 on tree and he loves shifting. If that is what you love then do it. When you invest sweat and passion into your truck, make it what you want. I think the people who have commented have shown that if it is what you want then it is right for you. BTW thanks for all the great info. I am a newbie here but dig it so far.

[bonehead]

Update: I have been making some progress. I had an offer from a board member for a used NP440, and I found out that my favorite local transmission guy will rebuild me a fresh NP440 and give me a guarantee to boot for a few hun more dollars than for a used piece. This may be the smart way to go for me as the truck is a keeper for me.

I will stop by the transmission shop to verify that the trans is the correct one and get it built. Then I can start collecting the other components I will need for the conversion from TH400 to NP440.

)bone( out...

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Update: I have been making some progress. I had an offer from a board member for a used NP440, and I found out that my favorite local transmission guy will rebuild me a fresh NP440 and give me a guarantee to boot for a few hun more dollars than for a used piece. This may be the smart way to go for me as the truck is a keeper for me.

I will stop by the transmission shop to verify that the trans is the correct one and get it built. Then I can start collecting the other components I will need for the conversion from TH400 to NP440.

)bone( out...

You are making a wise choice. That 4 speed OD tyranny should be a breeze to set up.

[bonehead]

Hey look what I found in my parts stash... an original NOS GMC speedometer adapter for 2 speed axle. I looked up the part no. 3769228 and it is used on 1960-66 Chevy & GMC series 50-80 trucks with a 2 speed axle. It is listed to adapt the speedo for a two speed axle between 5.57-7.59. if my math is correct, and you guys check me, this looks like about .73 about the same as the OD 4 speed transmission 4th OD gear, that I am planning to install in my truck this fall.

So..... my point is, Could I use this to correct my speedo from 1:1 in 3rd gear to .70 OD in 4th for the NP440 transmission. My speed would read correctly in 3rd and then still correctly in 4th OD. It's electrically activated and I could hook it up to a switch activated by the shift linkage some way.

Any thoughts?...

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Hey look what I found in my parts stash... an original NOS GMC speedometer adapter for 2 speed axle. I looked up the part no. 3769228 and it is used on 1960-66 Chevy & GMC series 50-80 trucks with a 2 speed axle. It is listed to adapt the speedo for a two speed axle between 5.57-7.59. if my math is correct, and you guys check me, this looks like about .73 about the same as the OD 4 speed transmission 4th OD gear, that I am planning to install in my truck this fall.

So..... my point is, Could I use this to correct my speedo from 1:1 in 3rd gear to .70 OD in 4th for the NP440 transmission. My speed would read correctly in 3rd and then still correctly in 4th OD. It's electrically activated and I could hook it up to a switch activated by the shift linkage some way.

Any thoughts?...

Think about that a minute. If your speedo is already correct in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, then adding 4th gear will not need any correction. The drive gear inside the tranny turns the same speed as the drive shaft. The drive shaft turns faster and faster as the speed increases because the rear wheels turn faster. The OD gear simply reduces the engine RPMs just like 3rd gear did when you shift from 2nd to 3rd. No adapter is needed unless the speed in ALL THE GEARS is off by a certain percentage because the drive gear, driven gear or rear tire size is incorrect.

The ratio adapter may be needed with a 2 speed rear end. I can't say because I don't know anything about 2 speed rears.

That part will probably make you some nice extra cash if you decide to sell it.

[96Indyram]

I am not sure here. But couldn't you let your transmission guy just put the correct speedometer gear in the transmission? Should be able to figure it out with rear gear size, tire size, and final drive ratio and the old interweb.

found this searching:
The A833 (np440) uses a 1.98" TH400 type mechanical speedo. Two units exist, one for a
34-39 tooth driven gear, and one for a 40-45 tooth driven gear. Stock units
typically have the 34-39 tooth unit installed.

http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/a833/README.TXT

[66Submarine]

No speedo adapter is needed with the OD trans, because the speedo drive is on the output shaft--If the speedo works in any gear it will work in all of them. BTW, the NP440 OD trans uses TH350 stuff AFAIK/IIRC, FWIW.

The 2-speed rears have to have that because the reduction is in the diff itself, past the trans and the rest of the driveline. You change the axle ratio when you do that, but the trans/driveshaft is still 1:1.

[96Indyram]

I really have no idea what it uses th400 or th350 stuff.
The only thing that will need to change would be the speedometer gear in the np440 to match the correct rear axle ratio he has in the truck (4.11)...should be easy

No telling what speedometer gear the np440 has in it, or what the rear gear ratio was from the vehicle it came from.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by 96Indyram

I really have no idea what it uses th400 or th350 stuff.
The only thing that will need to change would be the speedometer gear in the np440 to match the correct rear axle ratio he has in the truck...should be easy

No telling what speedometer gear the np440 has in it, or what the rear gear ratio was from the vehicle it came from.

I meant that AFAIK the GM A-833/NP-440 trans uses TH350 speedo gears from what I read.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

No speedo adapter is needed with the OD trans, because the speedo drive is on the output shaft--If the speedo works in any gear it will work in all of them. BTW, the NP440 OD trans uses TH350 stuff AFAIK/IIRC, FWIW.

The 2-speed rears have to have that because the reduction is in the diff itself, past the trans and the rest of the driveline. You change the axle ratio when you do that, but the trans/driveshaft is still 1:1.

Ok, I get it now. I was thinking that it would work like the 2 speed year.... Well now I can list the adapter in the classifieds, I forgot that I had it. Thanks for the input and explanation. )bone(