Best rear end for my 62 235 I6 3 speed for highway use

[Dano0579]

What would be the best rear end to put in my 62 235 I6 3 on the tree truck to run on the interstate but still can pull a trailer if needed? I what to keep my 3 speed but I don't what it to run high RPM @ 70mph. I don't know if that's possible without changing my tranny but I have a brand new 3 speed floor shifter I want to use and just thought I would ask. Someone told me I would need a 4.11 rear end to accomplish that. Thanks for any help.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Someone told me I would need a 4.11 rear end to accomplish that.

Many on here like the 3.42 rear end. Your engine will have higher RPMs with a 4.11 than a 3.42. I use this link to estimate engine RPMs but it is just an estimate. Tire size will make a difference too. Your 3 on the tree will be a 1:1 ratio in 3rd gear. A new tranny with OD will help save gas if you wanna go that route and not swap the rear end.

[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Many on here like the 3.42 rear end. Your engine will have higher RPMs with a 4.11 than a 3.42. I use this link to estimate engine RPMs but it is just an estimate. Tire size will make a difference too. Your 3 on the tree will be a 1:1 ratio in 3rd gear. A new tranny with OD will help save gas if you wanna go that route and not swap the rear end.

Thanks, I guess the best option would be going with a new tranny like a 5 speed borg warner T5. Thanks for your comment, I wasn't sure if I could keep my old tranny to do what I wanted to do.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Thanks, I guess the best option would be going with a new tranny like a 5 speed borg warner T5.

The new tranny with OD will give better highway speeds with lower RPMs.
I just bought a 1988 Camaro V8 T5 tranny. I was lucky to find it. See pics on my BLOG. Rebuild is coming next month. Anyway, my 65 C10 has a 3.73 rear. With my factory 3 speed and a 29" tire, my RPMs at 70 mph would be at 3025 (probably higher since trucks have more wind resistance than cars). If you can find a T5 from an S10 or F body GM car (Camaro or Firebird) you could bolt it up without much hassle.

My new T5 has a 0.63 OD gear, so I can keep my 3.73 rear and 29" tires and at 70 mph my calculated RPMs drop down to 1906. The advantage to the new tranny is you still retain the quicker off the line and low end power of the original rear.

[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

The new tranny with OD will give better highway speeds with lower RPMs.
I just bought a 1988 Camaro V8 T5 tranny. I was lucky to find it. See pics on my BLOG. Rebuild is coming next month. Anyway, my 65 C10 has a 3.73 rear. With my factory 3 speed and a 29" tire, my RPMs at 70 mph would be at 3025 (probably higher since trucks have more wind resistance than cars). If you can find a T5 from an S10 or F body GM car (Camaro or Firebird) you could bolt it up without much hassle.

My new T5 has a 0.63 OD gear, so I can keep my 3.73 rear and 29" tires and at 70 mph my calculated RPMs drop down to 1906. The advantage to the new tranny is you still retain the quicker off the line and low end power of the original rear.

That's what I need to do then, find me a T5 tranny. Those around here are hard to find and when you do find one, you endup paying around 300 to 500 dollars for it. Thanks again Lugnutz65.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Those around here are hard to find and when you do find one, you endup paying around 300 to 500 dollars for it.

You are correct. I paid $550 plus $30 gas money to go get it. However, it was exactly what I wanted, plus I got the driveshaft with yoke, the bell housing (to be sold later) and the clutch pressure plate and disc all for that price. I spent another $30 at the local junkyard for a S10 tailhousing and shifter. The rebuild kit will be another $250. It is an investment. A Tremec TKO will be more expensive, but have a warranty.
A lot of folks go for the S10 tranny but it will need an adapter plate that runs $150. I can refer you to a guy in CT who specializes in the T5, rebuilds them and has the best price I've found. Send me a PM if you need his contact info.

Jay

[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

You are correct. I paid $550 plus $30 gas money to go get it. However, it was exactly what I wanted, plus I got the driveshaft with yoke, the bell housing (to be sold later) and the clutch pressure plate and disc all for that price. I spent another $30 at the local junkyard for a S10 tailhousing and shifter. The rebuild kit will be another $250. It is an investment. A Tremec TKO will be more expensive, but have a warranty.
A lot of folks go for the S10 tranny but it will need an adapter plate that runs $150. I can refer you to a guy in CT who specializes in the T5, rebuilds them and has the best price I've found. Send me a PM if you need his contact info.

Jay

Thanks lugnutz65, I talk to Dave all the time. He's the best with those transmissions. I plan on getting the stuff I need from him. I bought one of his hats (vintage metalwork). Great guy and never minds to help when I have any questions.
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[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

You are correct. I paid $550 plus $30 gas money to go get it. However, it was exactly what I wanted, plus I got the driveshaft with yoke, the bell housing (to be sold later) and the clutch pressure plate and disc all for that price. I spent another $30 at the local junkyard for a S10 tailhousing and shifter. The rebuild kit will be another $250. It is an investment. A Tremec TKO will be more expensive, but have a warranty.
A lot of folks go for the S10 tranny but it will need an adapter plate that runs $150. I can refer you to a guy in CT who specializes in the T5, rebuilds them and has the best price I've found. Send me a PM if you need his contact info.

Jay

Hey Jay, you will not believe what I found yesterday after we talked. I posted on one of those facebook pages that I needed a T5 and I found one. This guy had one in storage and sold it to me for 200 dollars. It's the right kind I needed. I got it home and opened it up and OMG is it clean inside. Can't wait to put this bad boy in, just got to buy the adaptors and im almost good to go.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Hey Jay, you will not believe what I found yesterday after we talked. I posted on one of those facebook pages that I needed a T5 and I found one. This guy had one in storage and sold it to me for 200 dollars. It's the right kind I needed. I got it home and opened it up and OMG is it clean inside. Can't wait to put this bad boy in, just got to buy the adaptors and im almost good to go.

That's great! Really glad you got a nice one. Just curious, what gearing does it have? Either way, I think you'll like the OD and if 1st is kinda low, you could start out in 2nd gear. Is it an electric or mechanical speedo drive?

Post pics please, we wanna see.

[Dano0579]

Hey Jay, Sorry it took me awhile to get the pics uploaded. I had no time this past week. But here it is. It's a 1352-145 so the rearing is 3.76 for 1st, 3.78 for 2nd, 2.18 for 3rd, and 0.72 for the 5th OD. It's a mechincal speedo. I still can't believe I found this for $200.00.

[Lugnutz65]

That's awesome. Looks like it came from a 1985 or 86 S10 with a V6.
1352-145 GM 1985-86 S-Truck 2.5 L4-2.8 V6 (Reverse is 3.76) 1st is 3.78, 2nd = 2.18 1.42 1.00 and OD is 0.72.

What exactly is that thing on the speedo cable? Is it a Cable-X?

You got a heck of a deal. An S10 mechanical speedo tailshaft housing and main case cover plate with shifter linkage will sell on eBay for more than what you paid. Good find!

Keep me posted with the installation.

Jay

[Dano0579]

It's from a 85 s10 2.8L V6. The chart said that 1st gear is 3.76, 2nd gear is 3.78, 3rd gear is 2.18, 4th gear is 1.00 and 5th gear is 0.72 OD. That piece sticking out of the speedo is a gear reducer. I will be taking a lot of pics when I start. Good talking to you jay.