T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

57T210 · 03-01-2008, 01:10 AM

Hi Folks.

After getting tired of fighting with the shifter column linkage, I've decided to swap out the old 3 speed for a T-5 that I have. With the truck's 4.xx rear gear, would probably up the gas mileage some as well.

While it looks pretty straight forward, any of you have any 'heads up' info that I need to know before I start?

For example, just by eyeball, looks like the shifter and bench seat may be a tight fit...

Thanks for your input.

**oldiron** · 03-01-2008, 05:31 AM

moving over to the pickup forum

57T210 · 03-13-2008, 01:40 AM

ttt

Longhorn Man · 03-13-2008, 01:48 AM

what did the tranny come out of?
What kind of driving do you do? If you beat on it more than once in a while, you may want to reconsider the tranny you've picked.

Brad · 03-13-2008, 01:55 AM

You don't say what engine you have, but you can bolt the T-5 up to all the typical SBC's and of course to the L6's. However, if you put alot of pedal into the V8, the T-5 may not last long.
I've got an '86 Camaro T-5 behind my 250 and it required enlarging the mounting holes to 1/2" and shortening the driveshaft and punching a hole in the floor where the shifter comes through. If you have a bench seat then you may want to swap the Camaro tailshaft to the S-10 tailshaft which places the shifter about 12" farther forward I think. I've never done this swap as I have bucket seats, but I've always thought that it might be possible to do a similar mod to what the Tri-5 Chev's do when adding a manual trans under the bench seat. Hurst makes a special shifter that angles out from under the bench and it seems that one could make something similar for the T-5 mod and still keep the bench. Whatever you do, don't use the S-10 trans as it's not a very useable gear ratio for daily drivers, plus it's a much more complicated install. Also, here in the PacNW, we have alot of hills and mountains and ideally I'd have a 4.11 rear instead of my 3.73 so that I could keep my truck in 5th more often.

57T210 · 03-13-2008, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, Brad. I put one in my '57 (has a front bench seat) and it fit well enough. Buckets are an option for the truck. (btw, sounds like a cool 'in line' you got there).

Longhorn: the engine's a slightly warmed up 350: mild cam, 4 bbl. I'll get on it on the rare occassion but not the prolonged burnout type.

Is there a rear cross member made for this swap or am I on my own?

I'll post a pic of the trans. I believe it's from an S-10; NWC for sure.

Thanks.

69rut · 03-13-2008, 03:38 PM

If you have an S-10 tranny, you should have no problem with the shifter. Just remember that the S-10's came with 4's and 6's, not V-8's. Because of this there are some with really low first gears. If you have a 4.11 rear axle you may not even need first. This may also throw off the other gears as they may be too far apart so that shifting drops RPM's down too much between shifts.

There are some T-5 sites that can help you id your unit to aviod possible problems.

retselgerg · 03-13-2008, 07:59 PM

I'm interested in this as well, keep us posted with pics as you dive into this swap..in the near future im gonna add a 5 speed whether it be a NV3500, 4500 or T5.....the ole granny tranny is very unfun to drive lol

rscam · 03-13-2008, 08:00 PM

I just swapped a NV3500 in my shortbed 69 and it fit great. Even the driveshaft was the correct length. I just had to buy a conversion U joint. I got it out of a 90 Silverado short bed for $300. That included driveshaft,transmission, clutch and pressure plate and master and slave cylinders. I think those are good for about 310 ft./lbs of torque. Not the stongest trans but good for medium duty.

03-01-2008, 01:10 AM	#1
57T210 Chevy Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland Posts: 35	T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 Hi Folks. After getting tired of fighting with the shifter column linkage, I've decided to swap out the old 3 speed for a T-5 that I have. With the truck's 4.xx rear gear, would probably up the gas mileage some as well. While it looks pretty straight forward, any of you have any 'heads up' info that I need to know before I start? For example, just by eyeball, looks like the shifter and bench seat may be a tight fit... Thanks for your input. __________________ Juergen Juergen and Ana's Web Page '54 Belair '57 Townsman 210 '67 Malibu Vert '71 C10 '96 Vette LT4

03-01-2008, 05:31 AM	#2
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,092	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 moving over to the pickup forum __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

03-13-2008, 01:40 AM	#3
57T210 Chevy Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland Posts: 35	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 ttt __________________ Juergen Juergen and Ana's Web Page '54 Belair '57 Townsman 210 '67 Malibu Vert '71 C10 '96 Vette LT4

03-13-2008, 01:48 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 what did the tranny come out of? What kind of driving do you do? If you beat on it more than once in a while, you may want to reconsider the tranny you've picked.

03-13-2008, 01:55 AM	#5
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 You don't say what engine you have, but you can bolt the T-5 up to all the typical SBC's and of course to the L6's. However, if you put alot of pedal into the V8, the T-5 may not last long. I've got an '86 Camaro T-5 behind my 250 and it required enlarging the mounting holes to 1/2" and shortening the driveshaft and punching a hole in the floor where the shifter comes through. If you have a bench seat then you may want to swap the Camaro tailshaft to the S-10 tailshaft which places the shifter about 12" farther forward I think. I've never done this swap as I have bucket seats, but I've always thought that it might be possible to do a similar mod to what the Tri-5 Chev's do when adding a manual trans under the bench seat. Hurst makes a special shifter that angles out from under the bench and it seems that one could make something similar for the T-5 mod and still keep the bench. Whatever you do, don't use the S-10 trans as it's not a very useable gear ratio for daily drivers, plus it's a much more complicated install. Also, here in the PacNW, we have alot of hills and mountains and ideally I'd have a 4.11 rear instead of my 3.73 so that I could keep my truck in 5th more often. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 03-13-2008 at 01:58 AM.

03-13-2008, 12:47 PM	#6
57T210 Chevy Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland Posts: 35	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 Thanks for the thoughts, Brad. I put one in my '57 (has a front bench seat) and it fit well enough. Buckets are an option for the truck. (btw, sounds like a cool 'in line' you got there). Longhorn: the engine's a slightly warmed up 350: mild cam, 4 bbl. I'll get on it on the rare occassion but not the prolonged burnout type. Is there a rear cross member made for this swap or am I on my own? I'll post a pic of the trans. I believe it's from an S-10; NWC for sure. Thanks. __________________ Juergen Juergen and Ana's Web Page '54 Belair '57 Townsman 210 '67 Malibu Vert '71 C10 '96 Vette LT4 Last edited by 57T210; 03-13-2008 at 12:51 PM.

03-13-2008, 03:38 PM	#7
69rut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 158	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 If you have an S-10 tranny, you should have no problem with the shifter. Just remember that the S-10's came with 4's and 6's, not V-8's. Because of this there are some with really low first gears. If you have a 4.11 rear axle you may not even need first. This may also throw off the other gears as they may be too far apart so that shifting drops RPM's down too much between shifts. There are some T-5 sites that can help you id your unit to aviod possible problems. __________________ trailers are for boats

03-13-2008, 07:59 PM	#8
retselgerg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grundy Virginia Posts: 385	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 I'm interested in this as well, keep us posted with pics as you dive into this swap..in the near future im gonna add a 5 speed whether it be a NV3500, 4500 or T5.....the ole granny tranny is very unfun to drive lol __________________ "OLE BLUE" Goodwrench 350, 5speed, Tilt, PS, PB, "some guys got into cars for money or girls but i got into cars because of the cars" -Jay Leno

03-13-2008, 08:00 PM	#9
rscam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Monroe,Georgia Posts: 313	Re: T-5 tranny into a '71 C10 I just swapped a NV3500 in my shortbed 69 and it fit great. Even the driveshaft was the correct length. I just had to buy a conversion U joint. I got it out of a 90 Silverado short bed for $300. That included driveshaft,transmission, clutch and pressure plate and master and slave cylinders. I think those are good for about 310 ft./lbs of torque. Not the stongest trans but good for medium duty.



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