Manual to Auto trans

[BigRed63]

On my "new" 63 C10 I have a 250 inline 6 with a Muncie sm420 and a rear axle from an 84 Silverado(3.73 ratio) I was wondering what kind of cost am I looking at for changing to an automatic, probably keeping with a floor shift. We have a lot of hills in my area(especially at lights) and I'm wanting to drive it as my everyday, it's mostly for convenience. I know a lot of people here are the diy kind of guys, and I try when it is within my ability, but a transmission conversion is well beyond my skill set. I'm trying to get a ballpark figure that I need to save up for. Thanks

[PGSigns]

Really depends on the labor rate where you are at and how much the guys know about the swap that are going to do it. If they don't know about removing the cross member and putting in a new one they may struggle for days. I would look for some one who is knows these trucks to work on it and get prices. Then you need to decide what trans you want and what shifter. That will also drive the price.
Jimmy
Jimmy

[BigRed63]

That makes sense. Any suggestions on what transmission and shifter would be a good choice, hoping to make it my daily driver that will be doing hwy speeds

[PGSigns]

I have a 700r4 in my truck and it works great. I am using a Lokar shifter with a 16" handle. Looks like a 4 speed shifter in the truck. I am using the lockup controller from Ron Francis wire works.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

The 00R4 would be an excellent choice for a daily driver with 3.73 gears. However it is going to be difficult to connect and adjust the TV cable with a stock carb on a I6. To my knowledge, no one makes a kit for that application. You might contact Bowtie Overdrives and verify that.

As already mentioned, one big issue for you is finding someone trustworthy and knows what they are doing in regards to a conversion like this. A TH350 install would be simpler but the rpm's will be a bit high with 3.73 gears. Of course this is also relative to the size of tires being run.

[BigRed63]

Thanks, I don't think it's the stock carburetor. From what I can tell by the stamps, it's a Holley 350 2 barrel, but not sure if that makes a difference for the TV cable

[BigRed63]

I think I have found a shop near me that can do the swap for a good price, PGSigns how do you like your lokar shifter?

[PGSigns]

Here is the pic of the inside of my truck.
Jimmy

[BigRed63]

Oh ya, that's a good fit. Looks great!

[BigRed63]

The transmission shop was getting ready to get all the parts ordered to get started on my truck, when he called back to inform me that the 16" lokar shifter is on back order everywhere and will not ship out until the 13th
Hopefully in about 1-2wks I will have a truck ready to roll

[Cris]

BigRed63:

Please give us an update when you get the truck back. I also have a 63 with an inline 6 and would like to know how the swap works out, including what they do for the TV cable.

Regards, Cris

[BigRed63]

I will, and he said he might have found a supplier that has one in stock(fingers crossed)
Also keep in mind, my carb isn't stock, so that may play a factor for you.

[BigRed63]

He finished it, and the shifter works great! Here's a picture of the TV cable bracket, he had to manufacture one

[Cris]

BigRed:

Thanks for posting results. How does the 230 inline 6 like the auto trans? Smooth ride? I would think with the low first gear of the 700R4 it would give it a little extra grunt down low?

Cris

[BigRed63]

Mine is actually a 250, but it rides real good. You're right about first gear, the take off isn't going to win you any races but it's not bad

[Cris]

Thanks BigRed

My 63 with a 230 has a three speed manual and has to be rev'd a little to get a smooth take off. Not like a V8 where you can almost leave it idling and let the clutch out.

The 700R4 sounds like it is working well even at take off?

Cris

[BigRed63]

Ya, I haven't had any issues taking off. Keeping in mind I did just have this done and I haven't started driving it regularly, cause I still need to fix the driver door, but I am happy with the little I've driven it so far. I'll update again once the door is fixed and I start using it as my daily driver.