The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T5 Swap Completed!

Back in late April, I posted a request for help from your vast array of helpful and knowledgeable folks in helping me to figure out how to go about purchasing a T5 transmission. From my limited knowledge, I was able to determine that these transmissions were installed in various vehicles and therefore had many different gear ratios and that purchasing one that was not compatible with my stock ‘59 pickup would be a waste of money, or a considerable cost to make it right.
I received quite a few responses, and most of you confirmed what I had expected, that the T5 I would need had to be compatible with the rear end gear ratio. Thanks to all of you who offered advice and help, and special thanks to Jay (aka lugnutz) for assisting me with getting the unit best suited for my truck.
Now that the T5 is in, the truck is 100% more pleasurable to drive and I don’t miss that old “3 on the tree” at all! I’ve now got fully synchronized transmission with an overdrive gear and now feel a whole lot more comfortable in modern day traffic. Thanks again to Jay and all of you who took the time to respond to my request for help!

I love visiting cruise-ins and seeing nice classics, but driving one is better, especially if it runs and drives well. I’m glad you are enjoying the upgrade.

Very nice! What kind of rear ratio do you have and what kind of T5 mated up to it?

Well, as I said in my post, there was quite a bit of “homework” to figure out. They made a whole bunch of these transmissions, and from the replies I got from my request for information, it was apparent that I got a transmission that would be compatible with my truck. That meant installing one that worked well with the gear ratio I had, which, in my case, was a 3:91. The T5 that was built for me has a final ratio in 5th gear as .086. Now, I have to admit, a lot of this was “Greek” to me, however, the more I got into it, the more I understood.
Believe me, if you are considering this type of installation, and more importantly, if you’re looking for more driveability out of your truck, you cannot go wrong with putting that T5 in. I have a stock looking shifter and shift knob, and people look inside and think it’s got the original 3-speed. I was driving with my wife the other day, and she said “wow, we can ride in this and not have to scream at each other to talk” as was the case with the 3-speed at 50-55 mph!
Good luck with whatever you decide!

I have a t5 in my 1954 3100 with a floor shifter. I also have an e-brake next to it and young people ask what that other lever is for. BTW I almost always set it when I park somewhere.

Yes, it was definitely the right move!

How did you hook up the speedometer? My T5 is from 94-95..Thanks Bill

Bill,
See my reply in the other post.