4 speed transmission - 69 GMC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 03:08 PM

Anyone know the best alternative to the original 4 speed non syncro transmission bull low. Would prefer to keep factory bell housing

71swb4x4 · 07-12-2014, 03:15 PM

What is the end result that you want? How much do you want to spend? What do you use your truck for?

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 04:09 PM

Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 04:12 PM

And I also want to try to keep my survivor looking original. No adding cross members and such.

C10 - C90 Bill · 07-12-2014, 04:52 PM

I would keep the Trans, in my opinion. The Granny Gear 1st is great for off-road and starting off with a good load on it. Of course, I would even use 1st when empty, lol.

Changing the Rear to a Higher Gear would really make the biggest difference. Unless you would go to an Over-Drive Trans, it would still be the same at 1 to 1 in the last gear.

Bill

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 06:14 PM

Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 06:19 PM

Overdrive would be great, but all research I have seen says that overdrive conversions would require housing replacement, and adding a tenant cross member and usually the shifter does not come through the floor in the original location

gerry lecky · 07-12-2014, 06:22 PM

Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

C10 - C90 Bill · 07-12-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerry lecky

Overdrive would be great, but all research I have seen says that overdrive conversions would require housing replacement, and adding a tenant cross member and usually the shifter does not come through the floor in the original location

I agree. I researched an OD Trans pretty good for my trucks as well and it was too much of a radical change for me, besides being expensive.

I went the easy route with my '72 C-10 and bought some taller tires. It seem to knock my gears from a 3.73 to about a 3.63, which made a size-able difference.

Bill

CCCC · 07-13-2014, 12:58 AM

I think that the granny low gear setup has the same top three as others, and believe that a trans end-geared significantly different than yours would be pricey. I agree with whomever said better to change the rear gear ratio. I have a similar situation with one truck and am getting ready to install a Brown-Lipe over/under unit - have to build an added support and shorten one driveshaft - but still am going to try it.

C10 - C90 Bill · 07-13-2014, 12:41 PM

I would love to go with a Brown-Lipe over/under unit in some of my trucks.

The hardest part seems to be finding one.

Bill

07-12-2014, 03:08 PM	#1
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	4 speed transmission - 69 GMC Anyone know the best alternative to the original 4 speed non syncro transmission bull low. Would prefer to keep factory bell housing

07-12-2014, 03:15 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC What is the end result that you want? How much do you want to spend? What do you use your truck for? __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

07-12-2014, 04:09 PM	#3
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

07-12-2014, 04:12 PM	#4
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC And I also want to try to keep my survivor looking original. No adding cross members and such.

07-12-2014, 04:52 PM	#5
C10 - C90 Bill Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Moneta, VA USA Posts: 3,088	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC I would keep the Trans, in my opinion. The Granny Gear 1st is great for off-road and starting off with a good load on it. Of course, I would even use 1st when empty, lol. Changing the Rear to a Higher Gear would really make the biggest difference. Unless you would go to an Over-Drive Trans, it would still be the same at 1 to 1 in the last gear. Bill __________________ '60-'72 Chev/GMC Fan GMC 9500 Fan Detroit Diesel Fan

07-12-2014, 06:14 PM	#6
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

07-12-2014, 06:19 PM	#7
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC Overdrive would be great, but all research I have seen says that overdrive conversions would require housing replacement, and adding a tenant cross member and usually the shifter does not come through the floor in the original location

07-12-2014, 06:22 PM	#8
gerry lecky Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beaverbank, Nova Scotia Posts: 20	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC Want to do as cost effective as possible. My 350 just seems to be wasted by the transmission. If I could re- gear the transmission, and up the rear ratio to take advantage of the horsepower and the transmission. Like to keep expenses down. I am a mechanic by trade and just want my options.

07-13-2014, 12:58 AM	#10
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 735	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC I think that the granny low gear setup has the same top three as others, and believe that a trans end-geared significantly different than yours would be pricey. I agree with whomever said better to change the rear gear ratio. I have a similar situation with one truck and am getting ready to install a Brown-Lipe over/under unit - have to build an added support and shorten one driveshaft - but still am going to try it. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

07-13-2014, 12:41 PM	#11
C10 - C90 Bill Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Moneta, VA USA Posts: 3,088	Re: 4 speed transmission - 69 GMC I would love to go with a Brown-Lipe over/under unit in some of my trucks. The hardest part seems to be finding one. Bill __________________ '60-'72 Chev/GMC Fan GMC 9500 Fan Detroit Diesel Fan



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