Why are manual trans C10's so rare

[tutone]

Back to the original question. I've owned several 67-72s as well as 55-66s and this one is the very 1st automatic I've had. That tells me that just like 1932 Fords, there are more [ 32s and automatics], on the road than there was back then. My SPID says that my truck came with a turbo 350 so its gonna stay. I love grinding gears but I also am tall and like the legroom. I guess Im a "girl"

[Mr Handy]

Not that 67-72 trucks were bought as toys for soccer moms (or dads) to drive to the groceries store like your average $50k truck these days, but I think a lot of the manual trans trucks were bought to do work. Serious hard work. As a result they sat out side, worked hard day in and day out, simply got abused, and eventually used up.

I don't know how true this is but the fact that you see more c20's and c30's with this setup would seem to support the idea. Manuals were trusted, reliable, and easier to fix when they broke. Auto trans in the c10 was so you could pick up what you needed but the wife could still drive. I also think the idea of a Auto in a truck was fairly new and probably had a novelty to it that made people say lets give it a try.

As I was not born until the mid 80's this is just me remembering the attitude my dad and grandpa might have had back in the day.

[Bubba4spd]

Well I am from the time period and dad operated a business so from time to time he had to invest into mid sized and smaller trucks. One big determining factor was price. Things were different back then. There was no such thing as 18 years olds getting 50 and 60 thousand dollar trucks back then. People didn't have the money they have now. An automatic was an expensive upgrade and for a business or personal, it was important to keep cost down. So if you needed a bare minimum truck like a c-10, you got the least optioned truck which came with the standard tranny. Now people that had more money and in the early 70's more money was around, nice options came available. I remember traveling to south florida on business with dad, mom, and my two brothers. 9 hour drive, mid August, no air. Also, dehydration wasn't invented yet, you were just told to sit as quiet as possible and shut up. Of course three boys in the back of a four door with temps in the 100's, not an easy thing to do.

[Ken B]

I wouldn't have it any other way. My C30 gets worked hauling wood and boats. I looked long and hard too find a truck with a standard trans (sm465 trans truck) and my patience paid off with an all original C30. You can't beat a granny gear for when you get stopped at a light on a hill with a full load... I think my truck would be incredibly boring with an automatic but that's just me.

[Alex V.]

Ditto, Ken B. Keep on rolling with that straight-cut first!

[57taskforce]

Ken B. That's a beautiful truck!

[Keith Seymore]

I can't answer the question, since our '69 GMC (bought new) was a 6 cylinder three on the tree (which we converted to four on the floor).

It's intended usage was 2nd vehicle/daily driver use, with occasional trailering and parts chasing.

K

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by HIGHWAY BY THE SEA

They sure as hell are not rare where I come from! My truck is a manual transmission and the junkyard back home has about 40 of these trucks and only one of them is automatic transmission. I am converting my truck to automatic transmission very soon because it is not practical to drive in a crowded city with manual.

Back in 2002 when I was doing my 700R swap, I wanted a factory auto cross member and I had a HARD time finding one in junkyards, and here in SC 15 years ago there was A LOT of these trucks in yards (good luck finding anything more than picked over bones nowadays).

I would venture a guess that the vast majority of auto 67-72's on the road today (especially 67-69/70's) were originally manual trucks. The "stupid easy-ness" of installing a 700R4 is mostly to blame. I mean, it really is unbelievable easy and affordable to do it. I had a new rebuilt trans (from local place), crossmember, lines, aux. cooler, and bowtie overdrives TVmadeEZ and TC brake switch for a little over a grand. My A/C kit was more than that.

The other big factor is the LS. Plain and simple, a modern vehicle with a manual is rare. So the most affordable and easy way to run an LS is to use the entire donor, or at least the LS and 4L60 it came with. Soooooo many trucks have an LS and auto now. In my local truck club (and we have A LOT of members) I'd say close to half of the classic trucks are LS now.

We do have one guy that bucked the trend and went LS with a 6spd. Awesome original paint truck too.

[Bubba4spd]

Awesome looking truck!

[skinnan]

So, I just bought a 72 LWB. Originally a 6cyl someone converted. Must have been 3OTT but that linkage is gone. There is a shifter on the floor. It is REALLY bad. I also sits back in a different spot then the shifters I've seen here on the board. In any case, what was the factory 3 speed trans that came in the truck, and how can I identify which one I have?

Sorry, I'm new here...

[5spd540]

My 71 is a manual and I would not have bought it if it would have been a auto.

[Daves70]

I just took a 3 speed out of a 70 C10 to the recycler. Had it advertised for $50 and had no interest so it was in the way and had to go. I would have given it to someone who could use it. I guess what is old and unpopular is new and cool because 3months ago no one wanted a 3 speed.

[5spd540]

Originally Posted by Daves70

I just took a 3 speed out of a 70 C10 to the recycler. Had it advertised for $50 and had no interest so it was in the way and had to go. I would have given it to someone who could use it. I guess what is old and unpopular is new and cool because 3months ago no one wanted a 3 speed.

I will be pulling my 3 speed out later this year

[palallin]

Originally Posted by JimJones

Have any of you guys ever seen a K 10 long bed with a manual trans? Because I never have I've seen plenty of K20's this way but never a K10.

Mine. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Heck, I put a manual in my originally PG-equipped '67 'way back when--first a 3-speed, then a 4-speed car tranny.

[Ruscal]

I bought a used '67 step 327 3 on the tree in 1970. I could only live with it for a month until switching for a muncie 4 speed and Hurst shifter. Completely transformed the driving experience. No comparison.
Now almost 50 years later I picked up another '67 step with a T400 auto trans, and only I lasted only a few months before jerking it out and dropping in a T56 magnum 6 speed. The truck is so much more fun to drive now. No more slow lane on the freeway, and it takes me back to the feeling of taking my old truck though the gears with 4 close ratios. The engine is always in the power band. I learned to drive in a 55 Chevy 6 cylinder 3 on the tree and can remember the feeling, sound and smell on that day. It brings back smile to this day.
Russ