Which Tranny?

[ozzman104]

ok my buddy has a 1986 chevy scottsdale 3/4 ton 4x4 wth a 350. The previous owner took out the auto and put in a 3 speed manual with a low gear. well it's time to replace his clutch and he wants a 5 speed cuz that 3 speed is scary on the highway. any suggestions on what will fit??

thanks

[Haggar]

If he's looking for an overdrive transmission, thats going to be pricey.

Probably a Chevy NV4500 would be the route to go.

Is his transmission a 3 or a 4 speed? (Sometimes people refer to a 4 speed as a 3 speed with granny gear)

With a 4 speed stick like an SM465, you can usually use lower axle gears, 3.08s or something, and not need overdrive.

[ozzman104]

Yeah he would like an overdrive trans. I told him it would be pricy but even a good 4 speed would be better than what he has. The granny gear is never used. 1st gear is low enough for anything. and 3rd gear on the highway just sucks so he needs something more. I'm not sure what his diff. gears are.

[Haggar]

Well, now see thats what I was asking.. sounds like he already has a 4 speed, since you said granny AND 1st gear like they are two different gers..

He's most likely already got an SM465 in there.

So an overdrive trans is really the only option. $$$$

NV4500 if you can find one, or go back to an auto and run a built 700R4..

Or run numerically lower axle gears.

[Ebs]

You could probably use a 5 speed out of a 1/2 ton to get the overdrive. It won't be anywhere nears as strong as the NV4500 but it'd be a lot cheaper. Didn't GM also use a light duty 4 speed overdrive in some trucks?