The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop S-10 T-5 Shift Sticks

I do like that smiley face!

OK - I have talked to several of you about your successful installations of T-5's in your trucks and about the shift sticks. In most cases, you all have altered the S-10 stick and used it.

I didn't get the S-10 stick with my T-5 and continue to try how to figure out what to use as shift stick. I keep wanting to take my 37 shift stick, cut off the ball at the bottom and weld it to the "stub" of the T-5 shift stick. I realize I may have to re-bend it to make it conform to the seat location and dash board. I also know the throw may be greater than the stock transmission, but I would be willing to shorten the stick some to compensate for that.

Has anyone tried something like this? :rolleyes:

in the same boat as what to use for the shifter. i havn't installed the trans yet hoping to get a flash of an idea. have read the post about using an astro van stick. www.jegs.com as some interesting short throw shifters for the s-10. i have awhile and the shop that is going to do it seems knowledgeable about it. havn't gone into detail with yet. post if you come up with something. RON

I did exactly that. Found an old 4 speed stick at the junkyard and cut and welded it to the s-10 stub. I'm happy with the way it turned out. If you don't get it prfect the first time, you can bend the stick fairly easily to the correct position. Here are some photos: Photo1
Photo2

Also, I have plenty of room for the stock throw of the s-10 shifter with this stick welded to it.

Thanks for the ideas and comments guys!

I still would like to get that stock look with a stick that would have the shape of the the stock stick.
:rolleyes:
I'm not ready to install the transmission yet so I have time to mess around with it a little.

Any other ideas or comments will be welcomed!!

Thanks,
Joe

Joe,
I have had good luck using the astro van shifter for the T-5. It is the shortiest throw of all the shifters. I took the shifter apart (don't want to melt the plastic bushings) and welded my original shifter on to it. It looks like a stock setup except that the location is a little closer to the seat. Buy a used tranny cover from a column shift truck and cut a new hole in it for your new location. I have researched alot on this tranny and I must tell you guys that you really need to be careful which overdrive ratio you get and which 1st gear ratio you get. The tranny number describes what you have so do a little research and math as to your final gear ratio and tire size before you spend the time and $ on the T-5. I am willing to help if you furnish me your final ratio and tire diameter, as well give me your T-5 tranny code number.
I also have a cool trick for speedometer correction, using external gear box setup to dial in the speedometer.
Terry

Thanks, Terry!

I would love to see a picture of the Astro shift stick installed. I have seen a few references to it and I spent some time on the web just last night to try to find some information on it, but came up empty.

Im my particular case I am using a 1352-145 S-10 T-5 with a 3:55 rear axle. Mine is a 37 truck and the shiftr does end up faily close to the seat. Consequenly, I may have to position the shift stick with the knob alittle forward of the stick base when the tranny is in the neutral position. The first gear in this tranny is a 3.76 and the overdrive gear is .72. I will be running 225/75R15 tires that are 28.3 inches tall.

I have spent some time looking at the ratios for each gear by comparing them to the gear ratios of the original transmission and have been happy with the numbers I've seen, but am always interested in anyone else's opinion, information and/or thoughts.

Joe
I received your email and will send you a picture of the gear shift lever adaptation. You are correct in your thinking about the shifter mod to clear the seat. The shifter will radius forward to give you the clearance. I took alot of time and actually bent a piece of rod stock as a template to get the correct angle and radius to keep the shifter away from the seat as well as make it feel comfortable.
Your choice of final gear is lower than I have experienced. A 3.55 sounds like a great ratio for no overdrive. Your setup will yield about 55 mph at 1800 rpm and 60 mph at 2000 rpm. This is a little slow on the rpm and you may have troubles if you live near any hills. The good news is that you can always leave her in 4th gear. Your setup has a 3.76 first gear ratio which will feel pretty good with your 3.55 gear.
As a comparison my 54 rides down the road at 2250 rpm at 60.
What engine do you have in your 37?

I've got a 56 261 bored to 270 with Fentons and 2 - 1bb carbs. Milled 848 head. A few other things.

If I find the 3.55 to be to high, I can go to a 3.73 by swaping the center section out. It's a 55 Chevy car rear end and it's a Powerglide so I could go to a standard 3.73.

I feel fairly good about the set up. I'll know, of course, after I get it on the street!

Thanks for you comments and help. Let me know if I can do anything for you!!

Joe

Terry -

One other thing that I have in that 56 - 261 that makes a bunch of difference starting at 2000 to 2100 rpm's is an Isky Track Cam. This cam puts out allot of power the higher the rpm's are. I actually ended up with that cam without asking for it. The guy that built the engine was a dirt track racer and he thought it was a good choice. The T-5 transmission may prove how good of a choice it was. That remains to be seen.

I still contend that at this stage, it's the best choice - but, if need be, it can always be corrected!

Joe

I'm bringing this post back up to ask another T-5 Shift Stick question:
Would a T-5 Jeep stick shift fit a T-5 S-10 transmission?
:confused:
Why, you ask. Beacause the Jeep shift stick resembles the shape of an original 37-46 Chevrolet floor shift stick and it is long enough to work correctly in our older trucks.
See, there is a method to my madness!!!