Ok guys, first off, thanks so much for the support and advice. But I think I need to clarify a few things. I've owned the truck for about a year, and yes, I do drive it, mostly on weekends, occasionally to work. It runs and drives as it is. This is how I know I need to do something about the transmission setup. It will do 120 kilometers an hour (not sure what that is in miles...70?) but the engine screams bloody murder. Just want to kick the revs down a bit...feels like it needs one more gear. I've heard about the T5 swap...I thought the splines dont line up? Who's done this? Like to hear how you folks made out with it. And isnt there a 4 speed that doesn't have the granny gear? You know, maybe one with the 4th speed being overdrive? Maybe that's just wishful thinking. I do want to keep it manual though, it's just too fun:)
It will not me a show truck. I want it to be nice enough to take to a cruise in or something, but I'm not looking to win any awards. It'll be a driver. Pretty much what it is now, a weekend driver, and occasionally hauling stuff...still intend to use it for what it is, a truck.
I don't really see a way around having it end up a pile of parts in the garage. I had a guy look under the cab, and he said that the only way to fix it properly is to take it off the chassis, flip it over, and cut out all the old, weld in the new. seeing how the front end is attached to the cab, this pretty much means I have no choice but to do a frame off restoration on it, which wasn't what I wanted. But I do want it fixed up properly, not some hack job. So I'm learning to accept this....I'm thinking maybe doing the box myself, and having someone else do the cab, doors, and hood. Then I will reassemble the front myself (it'll be mostly new parts anyway).
NewAtThis, don't let me discourage you. I don't want to be the negative one in the bunch...anything's possible, just depends on how much one wants to learn, spend, and do themself.
