Hey Guys about Auto and Manual .

[AntonioFL]

Hello Guys, how is everyone.. .

Im looking for a C10 pick up chevy in decent condition at least, i have the money but so far i just cannt find the right C10 that i want i did find some that is not in bad condition but only problem is that many of those C10s are just Automatic Tranny i hate Automatic, i mean im not that picky but still i just think that a mans truck it should be Manual specially 1st , 2nd , 3rd and Reverse. 3 speed columm thats what i really want on a C10 .

Now im new into the forums and i start to read few post here and there to get a little familiar with the C10s and i wanna to know if its Possible to Change Automatic to the 3 Speed Columm Manual i mean, you know.. . the thing is that i just saw few C10s and they all Automatic some on the columm automatic and some on the Floor Automatic man is a big Turn OFF . I just wonder if its possible to converted to 3 speed Columm or something like that, and how much $$ will pretty much will cost to do the conversion from automatic to 3speed Columm on a 67-72 Chevy C10.

if its going to be alot of $$ or is not possible i guess i will be better off keep looking a C10 with a 3speed Columm Manual.

Let me know guys if its possible for the conversion and how much will cost to do it. thanks for your time

[raycow]

Yes, the swap is doable, but I strongly recommend that you find a donor truck (like in a salvage yard) to make sure you get all of the small parts and can see where they are supposed to go.

If you are trying to replicate a factory installation, the most challenging issue will be the bellhousing crossmember. This will be evident once you find one to look at. Fortunately, you can use the automatic crossmember if you can find a manual transmission with a rear mount, and this will save a good deal of work. The frame bracket for the clutch bellcrank or Z-bar needs to be welded onto the frame. The welding isn't difficult, but it is extremely important to get the bracket in exactly the right location, or the linkage will never work right. All of the other parts are pretty much of a bolt-in swap.

That said, we seem to have more people here wanting to convert a manual truck to automatic than the reverse. It might be worthwhile looking for someone like that before you begin. The other person will need some of your parts, so you can likely work out an arrangement that will be beneficial to you both.

Ray

[oldblue1968chevy]

The ol 3sps are still around..most convert FROM 3spd to something else, check out the parts board...

I kept my ol 3spd, not sure for how long...cant speed shift it (oh to be a young kid lol)

[ChevLoRay]

Can't say for sure, but I'll bet more of the manual 3-speeds are 6-cylinder trucks. Doesn't mean you won't find an automatic-6-cylinder, though.

If you don't care for the six-cylinder, you can always upgrade to a V8. It'll be easier to convert the engine than to convert the chassis and other parts from an automatic to a manual. You gotta remember that the bulk of the transmission conversions are from manual to automatic.

So, just what is it about an automatic that you don't like? Have you driven a 3-on-the-tree much? Is it just some mental image that you have that says you have to have a manual or your less a person? If that is the case...I'm a lesser person. I learned to drive on a V8-3-speed, then bought one. After it was totaled (not my fault) I bought a V8-automatic. I've owned 3,4 and 5-speeds as well as powerglides, turbohydramatics, dual-coupling hydramatics, and cruiseomatics. Once you're rolling in high gear, the method you use to get there is old-hat and doesn't matter.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

So, just what is it about an automatic that you don't like? Have you driven a 3-on-the-tree much? Is it just some mental image that you have that says you have to have a manual or your less a person? .

I also prefer a manual transmission, and I don't think it's a "less or more" thing, but just a preference, like what kind of music or food I like. That said, I can also think of several functional or practical reasons for choosing a manual over an automatic. On the other hand, if I didn't have a left leg......

Ray

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by raycow

On the other hand, if I didn't have a left leg......

Ray

, too funny! Not really anything to do with this thread but, it reminded me of my muffler guy, he is missing his left leg from just above the knee down but has a metal prosthetic that he get around on pretty well. He still rides dirt bikes and quads and goes rock crawling too. A few weeks ago I went to talk to him about doing some work on my truck and had my 4 year old daughter with me. He was wearing shorts and must have noticed my daughter staring at his leg, so he asked her if she wanted to see a trick. She said yes, so he put the toe of his shoe down and wiggled his leg and from his knee down his leg spun around. My daughter thought it was great! Last year I saw him out trick or treating with his kids and he was dressed up as a pirate with a real peg leg. He is one hell of a cool guy.

[1969 k/10]

I am in the middle of this swap right now. It was actually pretty easy for me considering the truck was originally a manual so that plate up top was already riveted to the frame. It is a doable swap as said before.

[Notrodder]

Sure, you could do it, but you'd be better off, in the long run, if you keep looking around for the truck that you want in the first place. They are around, and may be lower in price due to the popularity of automatics these days. Probably the best that you can do for yourself would be to develop an idea of the perfect truck package for you, then look for the truck that is closest to that package. Any compromise (and there will be compromise) from that package should be subtracted from the price you are willing to pay. That way the money that you would have spent on changing components can be spent on repairs (and there will be repairs).

About your transmission choices:

A truck with a clutch is far better than an automatic in difficult situations, like mud, or a tough hillclimb where being in the right gear at all times is important.

A good driver with a clutch and shifter is an active system that can anticipate what comes next. An automatic transmission is a reactive system with a slight lag between now and when it shifts to the gear it needs (except for manual downshifts), which is fine for the street, but less than ideal for 'off the pavement' operation.

I've had trucks with automatic, three on the tree, and four on the floor. I, by far, prefer the floor shifter with a clutch. The drawbacks of the automatic make it less than ideal for my uses in a truck and the column shifters linkage (sewing machine parts) is problematic.

[mrein3]

I love manual transmissions. My truck was a 3-on-the-tree when I got it.

THE best upgrade I did to my truck was swapping that 3-speed jam-o-matic out for a th350.

That is all I'm going to say about that.

[AntonioFL]

Damm well dont give me wrong guys, yeah im sure few others guys and ofc ladies they love the automatic, its just that i guess most people from my Country in South America im from Peru, we all drive manual either on a car, van , truck, all guys and same for girls they do drive manual, and the cost for a car with manual tranny in my country is very expensive compare to an automatic car its much cheaper.

Now here in USA it was a little shocking to see that is the other way around Automatic car is much more expensive than a manual car. anyways i guess i will keep searching for a manual C10 swb, im better off i think to buy 1 with a manual and save the extra money to repair something else besides than doing the conversion from auto to manual.

im more into the street scene im not much off road but hey a truck is a truck sure why not i would like to see how it feels driving off road too.

[cam.man67]

Yeah, I love my 3-speed. Like you said, it definitely makes a truck! If I were you, I'd keep looking out for one you don't have to do a conversion, in my neck o' the woods there are a bunch of options (though there were only a few when I purchased mine)