Anyone Running a Tremec TKO-500/600 5 Speed Overdrive

[LeftCoast32]

I am looking at a TKO-600 or TKO-600RR for my 1966 K15. The new axles have 4.56 gears so the overdrive will be needed even with 35"-37" tires.

The transmission will fit no problem and should be able to handle the truck just fine, the Torque Rating is 600 lb/ft.

I can have it built to use the stock bellhousing and clutch linkage. The shifter location can be set up in the forward (7" from bellhousing) position. This should put it right close to the stock shifter location from the SM420.

I have put a few in streetrods but just wondering if anyone has them in one of these 60-66 trucks?

TKO-600 1st/2.87 - 2nd/1.89 - 3rd/1.28 - 4th/1.00 - 5th/0.64 - Rev/2.56

TKO-600RR 1st/2.87 - 2nd/1.89 - 3rd/1.28 - 4th/1.00 - 5th/0.82 - Rev/2.56

[LeftCoast32]

I have been researching different transmission and overdrive options for the '66.

I want to keep the stock clutch linkage, bellhousing and shifter location. I want it to look like it came from the factory.

I looked into different overdrive units like the Brownie Box, Ranger and Gear Vendors, cost around $3000.00 if budget shopping and rebuilding everything myself.

I looked at the NV4500 from the newer diesel trucks, cost around $3000-$4000 with everything needed and all work done myself.

The Tremec TKO-600 or 600RR can be built with everything needed including the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, shifter, yoke and mount for around $3000.00 and it is all new with a warranty.

[Clyde65]

what size motor? HP? TQ?

The NV4500 is a medium duty but rather large and heavy. if you under 350TQ what about a NV3500, more plentiful and much cheaper to build

[LeftCoast32]

I have the original 283 that will be getting some performance mods for now. I also want the option to put a big block (1966 L78 396) in at a later date.

The other thing is the ability to make it look like stock (location of shifter) and not have to run a hydraulic clutch.

The '66 is a 4 wheel drive and will be seeing offroad and towing duties. The enclosed trailer is almost 10,000 fully loaded. I will be installing 5th wheel and load distributing hitches.

The NV3500 just isnt up to the task of the intended use of the truck.

[jocko]

I struggled with the same questions - in the end, I went the "save myself some $" route and am installing a T5. Definitely not an option for you're holding onto the ide of a bb install in the future maybe. In fact, I don't believe I'd recommend it for even a stock 283 in a 4wd application with big tires.

The nice thing about the TKO (any of them) is that you can order with the appropriate input shaft length and choice of gears (kind of). I would prefer the 2.87 first gear (I have a 3.73 rear and 235-75-15 tires) but ya gets what ya gets with the T5 - and I got an S10 WC T5 (yes, that is an odd setup, I think it was 93 only) and it has 3.76 1st gear. So, 1st for me will be almost useless. But that's ok, I will try this out and see how I like it - and then consider dropping rear gearing a bit in the future, maybe a 3.42 or 3.23, etc. Not out to roast the hides, but the current 3 on the tree setup was no fun on the highway with the 3.73s. Anyway, all were compromises I was willing to make to save about $2200. I agree, most of the TKO setups that included clutch/pp, etc were around $3K. All in, I'll have about $800 in my swap - that includes a new clutch, pressure plate, the trans itself, and a new shifter, etc. (Ok, maybe it's closer to $1K, but still...) I WAS(!) looking real closely at a Keisler RS 5 speed (they offer 4/5/600 torque models) - but hard to sell a transmission when you never return a call to a customer. No problema, I will never "pester" them again.

Good luck, looking fwd to your build.

[tapeworm]

Will it fit without cutting up th ertanny tunnel? It seems like that the tranny tunnels in many cars need to be cut up to make this work. Maybe it would fit under the "big" tunnel"?

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by jocko

I struggled with the same questions - in the end, I went the "save myself some $" route and am installing a T5. Definitely not an option for you're holding onto the ide of a bb install in the future maybe. In fact, I don't believe I'd recommend it for even a stock 283 in a 4wd application with big tires.

The nice thing about the TKO (any of them) is that you can order with the appropriate input shaft length and choice of gears (kind of). I would prefer the 2.87 first gear (I have a 3.73 rear and 235-75-15 tires) but ya gets what ya gets with the T5 - and I got an S10 WC T5 (yes, that is an odd setup, I think it was 93 only) and it has 3.76 1st gear. So, 1st for me will be almost useless. But that's ok, I will try this out and see how I like it - and then consider dropping rear gearing a bit in the future, maybe a 3.42 or 3.23, etc. Not out to roast the hides, but the current 3 on the tree setup was no fun on the highway with the 3.73s. Anyway, all were compromises I was willing to make to save about $2200. I agree, most of the TKO setups that included clutch/pp, etc were around $3K. All in, I'll have about $800 in my swap - that includes a new clutch, pressure plate, the trans itself, and a new shifter, etc. (Ok, maybe it's closer to $1K, but still...) I WAS(!) looking real closely at a Keisler RS 5 speed (they offer 4/5/600 torque models) - but hard to sell a transmission when you never return a call to a customer. No problema, I will never "pester" them again.

Good luck, looking fwd to your build.

Thanks for the input! I agree it is a little more expensive at first. I have a local dealer "Hurst Driveline" that I have purchased from before. They have everything I need in stock and the transmission will have a warranty supported by them directly. http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/inde...page&Itemid=77

Originally Posted by tapeworm

Will it fit without cutting up th ertanny tunnel? It seems like that the tranny tunnels in many cars need to be cut up to make this work. Maybe it would fit under the "big" tunnel"?

I have the SM420 now so mine has the Big Tunnel. The TKO has different shifter positions to line up to most anything. I will use the forward most (7" from bellhousing) to line up with my stock shifter hole.

[padresag]

what axles are you using.
I was orig running 36x15x15 on my 64 4 x 4 panel and pulling a trailer(across the scales=16,000#) and those 1/2t axle brgs didn't appreciate it. I did change over to 3/4t axles(no more problems).
took my detroit w/5 spd o/d out and put in a 283-t5 in . put in an independent np205 years ago and 32x12.5x15 tires but I think that I will be going to narrower tires in future(no more cracked frame)
20 years of driving it brings me to these conclusions
ron

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by padresag

what axles are you using.
I was orig running 36x15x15 on my 64 4 x 4 panel and pulling a trailer(across the scales=16,000#) and those 1/2t axle brgs didn't appreciate it. I did change over to 3/4t axles(no more problems).
took my detroit w/5 spd o/d out and put in a 283-t5 in . put in an independent np205 years ago and 32x12.5x15 tires but I think that I will be going to narrower tires in future(no more cracked frame)
20 years of driving it brings me to these conclusions
ron

Thanks for your input. The tires will be BF Goodrich KM2 35/12.50x17 or 37/12.50x17 on the 17X9 wheels below.



The axles are a 1 1/4 Ton Dana 60 and a 1 Ton 14 Bolt, both with Disc Brakes.

[padresag]

should solve any problems.
I don't know how the stock T5 will work, but if I have any problems with it; it is not a problem to upgrade it to a tremec
ron

[LeftCoast32]

I just have my heart set on the TKO-600RR because that way I dont have to worry about it ever again.

Originally Posted by padresag

should solve any problems.
I don't know how the stock T5 will work, but if I have any problems with it; it is not a problem to upgrade it to a tremec
ron

If your T5 doesnt hold up the change over wont be bad as they are similar dimensions.

[NCD1966]

TheDark1 is running a TKO500 maybe pm him

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by NCD1966

TheDark1 is running a TKO500 maybe pm him

Thanks! He actually saw the thread and sent me a pm! What a great guy, he answered all my questions! He has been very pleased with his TKO and has no regrets.

[LeftCoast32]

The thing that makes the overdrive so nice is:

My speedometer is off by 20% with the current 3.73 gears and 35" tires.

My new axles have 4.56 gears = 20% difference.

The current gearing in 4th (1 to 1) is good for the 283 running down the freeway at 70 mph (lots of power).

With the TKO-600RR the overdrive (0.82) will have me at about the same RPM at 70 mph as it is now.

The TKO-600 with it's overdrive (0.62) may be too tall for the 283 to pull anything in 5th.

**This will allow me to correct the speedometer error if I stay with 35" tires. I have tons of power at 70 mph right now so it should pull the trailer just fine in overdrive on the flats and still have 4th (1 to 1) for the mountains. I can easily change over to the 37" tires once the big block is done.

[NCD1966]

Originally Posted by LeftCoast32

Thanks! He actually saw the thread and sent me a pm! What a great guy, he answered all my questions! He has been very pleased with his TKO and has no regrets.

Yeah he is a good friend, Hes help me out anyway he can.

[chevy_mike]

I had a TKO600 in my '69 Camaro and it worked great. Very, very happy with that trans!!! One thing to note, make absolutely sure you dial in the bellhousing as per the Tremec specs. They have very specific run out specs and the only people I have ever heard of having issues, did not dial it in. Most high quality bellhousing should come into spec but some factory ones are off. This will cause hard shifting and wear to the input shaft, which will kill one of these.

Outside of that, I would drop one in anything, in a minute... assuming I had the money.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

I had a TKO600 in my '69 Camaro and it worked great. Very, very happy with that trans!!! One thing to note, make absolutely sure you dial in the bellhousing as per the Tremec specs. They have very specific run out specs and the only people I have ever heard of having issues, did not dial it in. Most high quality bellhousing should come into spec but some factory ones are off. This will cause hard shifting and wear to the input shaft, which will kill one of these.

Outside of that, I would drop one in anything, in a minute... assuming I had the money.

Thanks for the input! I am really looking forward to when I can pull the '66 apart one last time. I am hoping we have everything finished and ready by the end of the summer.

The transmission will finish up the drivetrain for now (divorced NP205 at a later date). 283, TKO-600RR, T221, D60 and 14 Bolt

I am waiting on the machine shop with my new extended shackles, then the 4" suspension will get done for the new axles.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by LeftCoast32

Thanks for the input! I am really looking forward to when I can pull the '66 apart one last time. I am hoping we have everything finished and ready by the end of the summer.

The transmission will finish up the drivetrain for now (divorced NP205 at a later date). 283, TKO-600RR, T221, D60 and 14 Bolt

I am waiting on the machine shop with my new extended shackles, then the 4" suspension will get done for the new axles.

my np205 came out of an IHC scout(also L/duty ihc trucks) and dodge had r/h drops for an independent
ron

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by padresag

my np205 came out of an IHC scout(also L/duty ihc trucks) and dodge had r/h drops for an independent
ron

The T221 I have now is in great shape, the problem with them is parts availability.

Everyone has parts for the NP205 and it will make it nice to add the parking brake to the transfercase.

The rear disc brake calipers are better if I dont try to get the parking brake integrated into them (Cadillac Eldorado).

This way I can use the factory '76 3/4 ton front calipers on my rear disc brake conversion.

[jjzepplin]

Anyone have a pics of this setup? Very interested.

[TJ's Chevy]

I'll be putting a TKO600 behind my 292 I6 when its done. From what I've seen an heard they are one heck of a tranny. Bang shifting all day...then when ya wanna cruise it'll do it.