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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 | Have any of you traded out the 3 speed for a four on the floor? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | 1st or 2nd series? always specify the year .... likely someone has done it, both trans available most years, probably needs a longer driveshaft cuz the 4 speeds are shorter
Bill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 | This is a first series pickup. The transmission pops out of gear. I figure if I'm going to go through the trouble of pulling it I might as well put in a four speed. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | you do know that any 4 speed high gear is still 1:1? and the original style SM420 has a wall climber granny low you'll never use? less trouble to R&R the 3 speed than make modifications to get an extra gear for 'show'
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 | on my 54, I did this swap. I didn't do it for any "upgrade". As Bill said.... the final gear ratio is the same at 1:1. I swapped motors to a 230 and just did the tranny at the same time. I MAY use my granny gear in the future pulling a small trailer. So I went ahead and did it. Plus, I had it available.
If you're looking for better performance.... skip it and go with something else. If you have the 4 speed readily available for super cheap, go for it. But I would still repair your 3 speed and put that back in... its got the cool factor, and you dont see them much ever anymore. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 208 | Ok, I'll look into re-building it. I did find a four speed for $75, that was the reason I was going to swap it. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 140 | I was going to do this swap at some point. I was just doing it to get a floor shifter though. I already have the 4 speed but know I'm considering going with something a little newer like a t5 with OD and full synchronization. | | |
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