Transmission options for my 86' GMC? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

C10N.UT · 11-20-2002, 02:00 AM

Hey All'

I have an 86 SWB GMC withg a granny shifted four speed and 305

I would like to know what possible swap options i have for this truck?Can i trade up to a 5 speed without going aftermarket?Or maybe even a true four speed?I am not to keen' on the idea of a under drive 4 speed for my daily driver,as it does not shift all that smooth and feels/sounds like something out of a commercial vehicle(read as a dump truck or ups truck)with all the gear whine and harsh shifting.

Thanks

PS: I plan on eventually trading upto a 350,still debating to spend the $$ on a roller cammed block tho

Slonaker · 11-20-2002, 12:23 PM

A guy here in San Antonio has a 5 speed in his '87 2wd shortbed Chevy. He goes by "Woodman" over on the Chevytalk board.

The transmission was already in the truck when he bought it. I think he said the previous owner transplanted it from a '94 Chevy pickup. It uses the hydraulic clutch. The installation looks like it belongs in the truck.

The problem he is having is that the transmission originally worked with some sort of electronic speedometer, so his does not work. He is still investigating options to fix that.

Slonaker

Tom · 11-20-2002, 12:51 PM

You want another manual tranny right? RIGHT!?!?! Good, thought so

Theres lots of options. A richmond 5 speed will bolt up, as will muncie's, T10's, super T10's, and saginaw's. I replaced my sm465 with a muncie M20. The best bang for the buck performance improvment Ive ever done to my truck.
You can install a NV3500 [or 4500 I dont remember] but thats basicly a sm465 [what you have now] but with a overdrive 5th gear. Not a great tranny IMO unless you off road a lot. Thats what the guy has that slonaker is talking about I believe.

C10N.UT · 11-21-2002, 12:16 AM

Quote:

You want another manual tranny right? RIGHT!?!?! Good, thought so

You got that right!!!
I think its more fun to row your own IMHO.

I would like to get a 5 spd(without an underdrive)via a salvage yard or similiar case if possible being as my last name is neither Gates nor' Trump

Ill have to check out that nv 3500/4500 while Iam at work,seems like a few dodge cummins are disposing of the 4500 for failure reasons.Mybe I could pick one of them up cheap.Being cheap is a relative term.

What would be a good source for them tranny's you mention Tom?

Thanks for the info
86 GMC

Tom · 11-21-2002, 02:06 PM

the only 5 speed that I know of thats non overdrive is a richamond 5 speed [4+1]
That will run you a little more then $2000 I think. The T5 came in many cars and trucks, but is overdrive and not very strong. If you build up a 4" bore motor of any size, or drive hard [power shifts, clutch drops etc] the T5 will break quickly.
As for the other tranny's, you can look on ebay, or for sale forums on different web sites. They have ones here, chevytalk.org, 73-87chevytrucks.com, teamchevelle.com, etc.

C10N.UT · 11-21-2002, 09:06 PM

Thanks Tom!!

I asked a fellow co worker and he told me the 4500 has been getting a bad rep from the cummins guys for spitting out 5th gear.And there is a local shop that has seen alot of "swap outs" from the 4500 to a getrag i think he said.That might lead me into a nv4500 tranny,but i could well imagine the cost and would still have a underdrive 1st gear.

Oh well Ill keep an eye out and gather more info to see what is viable for me.

Thanks 86 GMC

Heavy_Steel · 12-08-2002, 10:27 AM

Hey C10N.UT, I found out some more info on those NV4500's. The early ones made by Chevy will bolt directly on to our trucks, but these are hard to find and the prices are driven up by 4x4 jeep guys with chevy engines who want them.

Chevy later switched to the Dodge configuration so all newer NV4500's won't bolt up without modifications. I'm not sure what year the change happened, but I believe it was late 80's.

There is a company called Advanced Adapters that makes a bolt on conversion to allow the current NV4500's to mount directly to our vehicles.

Also, you say you don't want an overdrive, but the SM465 final gear is 1:1, not an underdrive. If you want a higher gear, then you WANT overdrive (the NV4500 extra gear gives you .73).

Hope that helps. I'm also looking into an overdrive to keep the RPMs down on the freeway.

11-20-2002, 02:00 AM	#1
C10N.UT Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ogden Utah Posts: 64	Transmission options for my 86' GMC? Hey All' I have an 86 SWB GMC withg a granny shifted four speed and 305 I would like to know what possible swap options i have for this truck?Can i trade up to a 5 speed without going aftermarket?Or maybe even a true four speed?I am not to keen' on the idea of a under drive 4 speed for my daily driver,as it does not shift all that smooth and feels/sounds like something out of a commercial vehicle(read as a dump truck or ups truck)with all the gear whine and harsh shifting. Thanks PS: I plan on eventually trading upto a 350,still debating to spend the $$ on a roller cammed block tho Last edited by C10N.UT; 11-20-2002 at 02:03 AM.

11-20-2002, 12:23 PM	#2
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	A guy here in San Antonio has a 5 speed in his '87 2wd shortbed Chevy. He goes by "Woodman" over on the Chevytalk board. The transmission was already in the truck when he bought it. I think he said the previous owner transplanted it from a '94 Chevy pickup. It uses the hydraulic clutch. The installation looks like it belongs in the truck. The problem he is having is that the transmission originally worked with some sort of electronic speedometer, so his does not work. He is still investigating options to fix that. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

11-20-2002, 12:51 PM	#3
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,731	You want another manual tranny right? RIGHT!?!?! Good, thought so Theres lots of options. A richmond 5 speed will bolt up, as will muncie's, T10's, super T10's, and saginaw's. I replaced my sm465 with a muncie M20. The best bang for the buck performance improvment Ive ever done to my truck. You can install a NV3500 [or 4500 I dont remember] but thats basicly a sm465 [what you have now] but with a overdrive 5th gear. Not a great tranny IMO unless you off road a lot. Thats what the guy has that slonaker is talking about I believe. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

11-21-2002, 02:06 PM	#5
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,731	the only 5 speed that I know of thats non overdrive is a richamond 5 speed [4+1] That will run you a little more then $2000 I think. The T5 came in many cars and trucks, but is overdrive and not very strong. If you build up a 4" bore motor of any size, or drive hard [power shifts, clutch drops etc] the T5 will break quickly. As for the other tranny's, you can look on ebay, or for sale forums on different web sites. They have ones here, chevytalk.org, 73-87chevytrucks.com, teamchevelle.com, etc. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

11-21-2002, 09:06 PM	#6
C10N.UT Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ogden Utah Posts: 64	Thanks Tom!! I asked a fellow co worker and he told me the 4500 has been getting a bad rep from the cummins guys for spitting out 5th gear.And there is a local shop that has seen alot of "swap outs" from the 4500 to a getrag i think he said.That might lead me into a nv4500 tranny,but i could well imagine the cost and would still have a underdrive 1st gear. Oh well Ill keep an eye out and gather more info to see what is viable for me. Thanks 86 GMC

12-08-2002, 10:27 AM	#7
Heavy_Steel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8	Hey C10N.UT, I found out some more info on those NV4500's. The early ones made by Chevy will bolt directly on to our trucks, but these are hard to find and the prices are driven up by 4x4 jeep guys with chevy engines who want them. Chevy later switched to the Dodge configuration so all newer NV4500's won't bolt up without modifications. I'm not sure what year the change happened, but I believe it was late 80's. There is a company called Advanced Adapters that makes a bolt on conversion to allow the current NV4500's to mount directly to our vehicles. Also, you say you don't want an overdrive, but the SM465 final gear is 1:1, not an underdrive. If you want a higher gear, then you WANT overdrive (the NV4500 extra gear gives you .73). Hope that helps. I'm also looking into an overdrive to keep the RPMs down on the freeway.



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