Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1774btcrew** · 07-30-2021, 12:17 PM

I had always thought all Squarebody SM465 transmissions had the cast iron tops but a some point I pulled a shifter out of a squarebody that must have been an aluminum top as the portion that goes into the transmission is larger diameter than the earlier ones. The shift levers on the OBS trucks that I know came with aluminum tops only had one bend as the dash is shaped completely different. Has anyone else noticed this?

kipps · 07-30-2021, 02:57 PM

Interested in this as well. As far as I know, the iron-tops had the forward shifter position, and were only used in the squarebody's. The aluminum-tops had the rearward shifter position, which was the same as the nv4500 that replaced it, and came in the gmt400's. I've never heard of a forward-shift-position with an aluminum top.

I've personally never seen an aluminum-top, so I can't comment on the specific differences in the shifter.

**1774btcrew** · 07-30-2021, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipps

Interested in this as well. As far as I know, the iron-tops had the forward shifter position, and were only used in the squarebody's. The aluminum-tops had the rearward shifter position, which was the same as the nv4500 that replaced it, and came in the gmt400's. I've never heard of a forward-shift-position with an aluminum top.

I've personally never seen an aluminum-top, so I can't comment on the specific differences in the shifter.

The bends on the shifter are identical to the earlier ones. I was really surprised when I saw the larger diameter on the part that goes into the transmission

**kwmech** · 07-30-2021, 05:17 PM

In the square it would have been in the 88-91 1 ton only---OR if ordered special it could have showed up in either the Suburban or Blazer. 1/2 and 3/4 ton were the newer body style. In 1992 they got away from the 4 speed and went to the 5 speed (NV4500)

kipps · 07-30-2021, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

In the square it would have been in the 88-91 1 ton only---OR if ordered special it could have showed up in either the Suburban or Blazer. 1/2 and 3/4 ton were the newer body style. In 1992 they got away from the 4 speed and went to the 5 speed (NV4500)

But did the square body style ever get the aluminum top? Or was the aluminum top only used for the gmt400 trucks, like we've always assumed?

v30crewcab · 07-30-2021, 10:11 PM

no the aluminum top was to move the shifter back for the new bodystyle. never came in a square.

**1774btcrew** · 07-31-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v30crewcab

no the aluminum top was to move the shifter back for the new bodystyle. never came in a square.

This shifter is larger diameter where is goes into the transmission and is designed different on that part. Have you ever seen this?

v30crewcab · 07-31-2021, 06:31 PM

I have about 6 or 7 sm465's here right now. two have an aluminum top, but the shifter is at the very back of the trans instead of in the middle like a squarebody. I've never seen an aluminum one that isn't that way. got pics of yours?

**1774btcrew** · 07-31-2021, 07:41 PM

I don't have the transmission but I have full style shifters I can take a picture

wildwilly4x4 · 08-01-2021, 05:36 AM

the 465 top in my '88 crew is cast iron, and the one in my '89 cab/Chassis square is also cast iron. Just FYI

kipps · 08-01-2021, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwilly4x4

the 465 top in my '88 crew is cast iron, and the one in my '89 cab/Chassis square is also cast iron. Just FYI

When did the crew and c&c switch to the gmt400 style? I thought that happened by 1989.

Nick_R_23 · 08-01-2021, 12:40 PM

Crew Cab Squarebody (as well as K5 Blazer/Suburban) ended in 1991.

**1774btcrew** · 08-03-2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

Crew Cab Squarebody (as well as K5 Blazer/Suburban) ended in 1991.

Yep. I actually sell squarebody parts for a living and want to be able to sell this shifter. It is larger diameter at the base.

**1774btcrew** · 08-03-2021, 01:34 PM

Basically all of the shifters I have had before are 24.4mm at the base. The later model is 29.2 mm at the base and this is the only one that I have seen like this.

wildwilly4x4 · 08-08-2021, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipps

When did the crew and c&c switch to the gmt400 style? I thought that happened by 1989.

Im not 100% positive on the Cab/ chassis, but I think they went all the way to '91 as a single cab square body just like the crews, burbs and K5's. I know they at least went to '89...haha

07-30-2021, 12:17 PM	#1
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? I had always thought all Squarebody SM465 transmissions had the cast iron tops but a some point I pulled a shifter out of a squarebody that must have been an aluminum top as the portion that goes into the transmission is larger diameter than the earlier ones. The shift levers on the OBS trucks that I know came with aluminum tops only had one bend as the dash is shaped completely different. Has anyone else noticed this? __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

07-30-2021, 02:57 PM	#2
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,104	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? Interested in this as well. As far as I know, the iron-tops had the forward shifter position, and were only used in the squarebody's. The aluminum-tops had the rearward shifter position, which was the same as the nv4500 that replaced it, and came in the gmt400's. I've never heard of a forward-shift-position with an aluminum top. I've personally never seen an aluminum-top, so I can't comment on the specific differences in the shifter. __________________ 1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome!

07-30-2021, 05:17 PM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? In the square it would have been in the 88-91 1 ton only---OR if ordered special it could have showed up in either the Suburban or Blazer. 1/2 and 3/4 ton were the newer body style. In 1992 they got away from the 4 speed and went to the 5 speed (NV4500)

07-30-2021, 10:11 PM	#6
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 980	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? no the aluminum top was to move the shifter back for the new bodystyle. never came in a square. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

07-31-2021, 06:31 PM	#8
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 980	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? I have about 6 or 7 sm465's here right now. two have an aluminum top, but the shifter is at the very back of the trans instead of in the middle like a squarebody. I've never seen an aluminum one that isn't that way. got pics of yours? __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

07-31-2021, 07:41 PM	#9
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? I don't have the transmission but I have full style shifters I can take a picture __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

08-01-2021, 05:36 AM	#10
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? the 465 top in my '88 crew is cast iron, and the one in my '89 cab/Chassis square is also cast iron. Just FYI

08-01-2021, 12:40 PM	#12
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 881	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? Crew Cab Squarebody (as well as K5 Blazer/Suburban) ended in 1991.

08-03-2021, 01:34 PM	#14
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions? Basically all of the shifters I have had before are 24.4mm at the base. The later model is 29.2 mm at the base and this is the only one that I have seen like this. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.



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