Swapping from a stock 4spd. to a 5 spd. od.

[herbflinkman]

Hello,
I have a pure stock 66 camper special with a dana 60 and 4:11 gears. I was trying to find lower gears with no success, so am considering swapping in a 5 spd od trans. Anybody have any suggestions? What do I need for a bellhousing, pilot brg. etc?
Thanks,
Herb

[Lugnutz65]

I am doing the same with my 65 Stepside. I just bought a 1988 world class T5 freshly removed from a V8 Camaro. I think it will be a good swap for my 3 speed on the column. There is a lot of information on the internet about the T5. Just be warned that you cannot tell what is correct and what is completely wrong, even though the web site looks to be well done. I was a victim of believing what I read on the internet only to get my T5 home (a different one than above) and find out the gears were NOT what I wanted.

Go to my BLOG and you can see some additional info I have posted on the T5.

Also, read through this great post.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=482069

Most importantly, before you buy a T5, make sure you know how to check the internal gear ratios YOURSELF, rather than relying on what the seller says. Even though he's honest, he might be basing what he says the gearing is by reading incorrect info on the web.

Good luck and happy shopping!

[jayoldschool]

I was trying to find lower gears

You mean higher. Lower gears mean bigger numbers. Higher gears than 4.11s would be 3.73, 3.42s, etc.

[Rollo McFlurry]

Might also consider an nv4500 or nv3500 from a v8 or 4.3.
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['63GENIII]

+ 1 on the 3500 or 4500. Just did the 4500 myself. It rocks!
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[414banger]

another thing to consider on the 3500 or 4500 is the speedometer is electronic and not cable it is rather expensive to get the speed to read on an old gauge but you can always switch to a newer electronic gauge

also another thing is with the one piece tranny you have to convert to a hydraulic clutch

['63GENIII]

Alot of the decision rests on what youre doing with your truck also. If you dont haul or tow, a world class or Tremec may work. If you do tow or haul, Id be looking at a truck transmission. The speedometer is a consideration. The hyd. clutch is an easy job though and if youre set on a mech clutch, there is a bh for that too on the 4500. Yeah its a little bit of work but sooooo worth it!
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[Clyde65]

the NV3500 is rated at under 330TQ. also know that the NV4500 is a HD transmission and you will loose power because of the size and strength of it.

I have heard alot of folks doing the tremec.

['63GENIII]

What 4 speed do you currently have?
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[Captainfab]

Not to disuade you from a trans upgrade, but with a Dana 60, you should not have any trouble finding gears or any other parts you may need.

Regardless, an upgrade to a 5 speed would be a good decision. I agree on a NV3500 or 4500 if you plan to do much hauling or towing. I have an easy solution to the hydraulic clutch conversion, if that is a concern.

['63GENIII]

If not towing or hauling would something like a t56 or tko work for a more "streetable" shifting transmission? Ive heard of people using m22's and super t10's successfully but I wouldnt even think of using my truck like I do with one of the "car" type transmissions.
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[Captainfab]

My first '63 I had, I put a M21 in it back in '78. While that made it much more fun to drive than the original SM420, It was not what I would call suitable for 'truck' duties. As for the T56 or TKO, that would depend on the first gear ratio selected, and the differential ratio, whether they would be suitable for towing and hauling. The T56 having 2 OD gears, a guy could gear the differential low enough to use it for hauling and towing.

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

If not towing or hauling would something like a t56 or tko work for a more "streetable" shifting transmission? Ive heard of people using m22's and super t10's successfully but I wouldnt even think of using my truck like I do with one of the "car" type transmissions.
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[herbflinkman]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your help!! Sorry that I hve not been responsive. I have gray hair and that means I am electronically challenged!!! I will not be hauling anything with the PU, but my kids will get it eventually and who knows? it turns out to not be a Dana but a 0u52 (or 72). I have been checking pricing and I can't handle the money for the Tremec, so your suggestions of options are helpful. I have thought about doing the rear first though primarilly because of cost. I just posted a request for help, but am not sure if it went through (that gray-hair thing again). What rears fit with the close fender clearances? The tires are almost new 16" that I would like to use up. Also I would like a posi while I'm doing it. Would 3:36 work? I have a granny 4spd now but if I can get that 5 spd is it possible to have too low rpm at cruising speed (55-65mph). I do appreciate your responses - I am not used to having this much help available!! Thnks,
Herb

[Captainfab]

Yes you can end up with your cruise rpm's too low. Your engine needs to operate in it's 'sweet spot' rpm wise. Have you looked around for a NV4500? One of those would drop your highway rpm's some, and could still be used as a 'truck' should your kids want to.

Originally Posted by herbflinkman

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your help!! Sorry that I hve not been responsive. I have gray hair and that means I am electronically challenged!!! I will not be hauling anything with the PU, but my kids will get it eventually and who knows? it turns out to not be a Dana but a 0u52 (or 72). I have been checking pricing and I can't handle the money for the Tremec, so your suggestions of options are helpful. I have thought about doing the rear first though primarilly because of cost. I just posted a request for help, but am not sure if it went through (that gray-hair thing again). What rears fit with the close fender clearances? The tires are almost new 16" that I would like to use up. Also I would like a posi while I'm doing it. Would 3:36 work? I have a granny 4spd now but if I can get that 5 spd is it possible to have too low rpm at cruising speed (55-65mph). I do appreciate your responses - I am not used to having this much help available!! Thnks,
Herb

[herbflinkman]

Thanks!
I seriously doubt if it will ever be used as a "truck" again. I'm a painter and plan to make it pretty so my kids will probably keep it that way. I plan to use it as a street piece, pick up a part or some wood etc. not heavy hauling. i do like the way it sits and looks with the 8 lug 16" wheels so the straight swap is most appealing to me. I can do the fabrication if necessary, but would like to make it as easy as possible.
What is an nv4500? or 3500? Also what is the "sweet spot" (in a engine that is)? This is a stock 283 two barrell. I have thought about a 4 barrell conversion possibility but concerned about gas mileage. Thanks again,
Herb

['63GENIII]

I'd be looking for a 96 and up nv4500 just BC it has the higher (numerically lower) first gear. As for the nv3500, I don't know much about them except that they were used in 1/2 ton trucks and may be a little cheaper to buy. Either way you would have an Od. I'm really happy with my 4500 and it wasnt that difficult to swap. I had considered the gv unit for the TH 400 that I had in the truck and also looked at the 4l80e. The gv unit was just too expensive so it was a toss up between the 4500 and the 4l80.
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[herbflinkman]

Thanks for your info! What does a nv 4500 come in? 4180? What kind of vehicle should I look for?
Herb

['63GENIII]

I think the 4500 came out in 90 or so in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. The 3500 in 1/2 tons I think, not sure what years though. The 4L80E is an automatic as would be the 4L60E , both electronically controlled. Again, I don't know much of the NV3500 but it might be worth looking into since you don't need a "heavy duty" transmission and the 3500 does have OD and originally came in 1/2 ton trucks.

[MrBeast]

Hands down you need an NV4500, I have converted several trucks to them, it has always been worth the expense, ALWAYS!

Advance Adapters makes bell housings that will let you use your stock mechanical clutch. They are super easy to install, it is a bolt in operation aside from the trans cross member, I did the swap on my 72 Chevy if you want to see how its done, there is a link in my siggy.

Being a camper special with the 4.11 you will love the NV4500, it will let you pull hard and bring your RPM's way down and your MPG's up. Going from a TH400 to the NV4500 in my old dually brought the mileage up 4 mpg. That is from 8 to 12, that means I was using 1/3 less fuel.

[Captainfab]

The NV3500's were available in the 1/2 ton trucks starting in '88, and were typically found behind the 4.3 V6 and the 305's. Although I have seen a couple behind 350's. The NV3500 is rated at only 300 lbft. One of these would work just fine for the intended useage of the truck, but you would have to convert to a hydraulic clutch.