1/2 ton Big block with a 4spd?

[Racer382D]

A friend of mine just bought a 68 half ton long bed stepper with a 396 4spd..... That is a first for me seeing that combo, any idea on production numbers?

[Racer382D]

[SS Tim]

Even better its the close ratio 4-speed (4.56, 2.28. 1.31 and 1:1) with a Dana 60. Nice tow rig!

[Racer382D]

Any idea how rare this thing might be? I've been around litteraly hundreds of these trucks if not more and I have never seen a half ton with a big block and 4speed combo

[Joesjunk]

Very odd truck for sure, but pretty cool

[Classic Heartbeat]

I don't know what the production numbers are, but I use to have one. 6 lug Dana 60 and all... WES

[SS Tim]

Either 4-speed is a rare find and probably the close ration more so. Need to remember they were offered only in 68,69 and 70. To be clear a 396/402 with 4-speed wide or close ratio manual in a C10 pickup. While it may have been offered otherwise, those are the only RPO (regular production option) years I list.

[WIDESIDE72]

I came across a 72 cheyenne super 1/2 ton once that i stripped some parts off if. It had a 350 and granny 4 speed. (Sm420 or sm465?) I first figured it was swapped in but it was on the spid.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

I came across a 72 cheyenne super 1/2 ton once that i stripped some parts off if. It had a 350 and granny 4 speed. (Sm420 or sm465?) I first figured it was swapped in but it was on the spid.

Lots of C10s, K10s and Blazers had 4-speeds behind small blocks. The issue is a Big Block and a 4-speed in a C10. They are few and far between.

[sbc10guy]

I have a 69 c10 shortbox with had an original granny low 4 speed when i got it. It has a 400 smallblock which i was told by the previous owner he had swapped in. Im now finishing up my big block swap but have found out it had big block frame stands and motor mounts which look very original. Im starting to think it was a factory big block truck. Is there a chance that would not be listed on the spid in 1969? I found the build sheet but a few pieces are missing so i cannot tell what the motor was but it was ordered by arizona fish and game so maybe thats why it would have the big block?

[Turbo1dr]

Originally Posted by sbc10guy

I have a 69 c10 shortbox with had an original granny low 4 speed when i got it. It has a 400 smallblock which i was told by the previous owner he had swapped in. Im now finishing up my big block swap but have found out it had big block frame stands and motor mounts which look very original. Im starting to think it was a factory big block truck. Is there a chance that would not be listed on the spid in 1969? I found the build sheet but a few pieces are missing so i cannot tell what the motor was but it was ordered by arizona fish and game so maybe thats why it would have the big block?

I think all the big block trucks have a riveted-on exhaust hanger just behind both rear tires on the outside of the frame. I'm not sure if this is correct. The small block trucks did not. Maybe someone will chime in,,,


Right side and left side on my BB truck. The anti-sway bar is from the front of a mid 70's Catalina wagon (if I remember correctly).

[sbc10guy]

Il look for that, any way to tell would be great. I would love to know if it was. The bellhousing crossmember was bolted in so i know someone messed with that at some point too. I thought i saw somewhere the location of that was different with different engines.

[DANTIP]

I've never seen that combination but the 1969 truck data book does show that combination with a CR 4-speed and Dana 3:54 rear. I know '72 402-powered 1/2 ton trucks were limited to either a 3-speed or a TH400 (no 4-speed option). Interesting!!

[Steeveedee]

I'm going to need some education on trucks with this close ratio business. In a car, close ratio means a 2.20:1 first gear (Muncie). A 4.56:1 ratio looks more like a "granny low" 4 speed to me, or what we used to call "compound low". A wide ratio car transmission would have about 2.63:1 or 2.73:1 for first gear.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I'm going to need some education on trucks with this close ratio business. In a car, close ratio means a 2.20:1 first gear (Muncie). A 4.56:1 ratio looks more like a "granny low" 4 speed to me, or what we used to call "compound low". A wide ratio car transmission would have about 2.63:1 or 2.73:1 for first gear.

The close ratio RPO M28 (NP434CR) has the following ratios: 1st 4.56, 2nd 2.28, 3rd 1.31, 4th 1:1 and reverse of 5.64.

The wide ratio RPO M20 (CH465) has the folowing ratios: 1st 6.55, 2nd 3.58, 3rd 1.70, 4th 1:1 and reverse of 6.09.

Basically with the CR you have four usable road ratios vs the three on a wide ratio and its deep first or "creeper gear".

[volksworld]

sbc10guy ,when you're dealing with a 40+ year old truck stuff can look original cause it was done long ago with used stuff...i put the v8 in mine in 75...the bolted in x member is the giveaway...if its not on the spid it didn't come with it...usually gvmt trucks were very low optioned and if they wanted more pulling power they'd go for a 3/4 ton

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

This was said to be the SPID from a 70:

Heavy-Duty 4-speed close-ratio transmission 396

. . . .

[special-K]

I've been seeing (had two) C/10 BBC 4spds through the years. Not a whole lot, but I don't find it as unusual as one with a 3spd, especially a C/20. Because of all the options available, there were many combos possible. While certain option combos were more popular (or what dealers felt we wanted), others were built to suit an individual's desires or needs. Back then, the old school truck guys didn't like automatics in their trucks. A lot of them didn't like power steering, either .