The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk got a lot of opinions, but want more......

This post is a combination of the opinions that I've gotten from everybody in my neck of the woods. I need some feed back on my interpretation.

I am working on a 66' swb stepside. Currently looking to put in a new richmond 4speed transmission but not sure what gears to go with. Like one fellow said, why pay for something used that somebody else is trying to get rid of with no guarantees. So I figured I would spend the money for a new one. Going to hook it to a 327 after getting it completely reworked.

Also what will go with the ratio of the rear end. A search of past topics tonight has informed me of how to find the current ratio so tomorrow I will check that out.
Do I need to go with certain rearend? Everybody knows what its like when you're driving at 55-60 and want to hit another gear because its reving so high. One fellow told me that a mid 80s rearend would work but the pads would need to be moved (of course he'd be glad to do that for me.)

Also been told that mid 80's truck will donate spindles, rotors,etc for power brakes and steering? Is that true and will it work with original upper and lower A-arms. I want to use them since I have already rebuilt them with new ball joints and shaft assemblies.

I know that is a lot in a question, but its alot o' truck too.

Thanks for any input.

Brian

I know a 1970 C10 had a 3:08 available and it is a 6 bolt pattern. Don't know about the perch location whether it's a bolt in or not, but that would get you decent highway speeds,
Scott

Depends what you want to do with it. In my experience a 3.5 - 3.7 rearend ratio and an overdrive 5-speed are the way to go if it will still be a working truck and you want to do 65 on a flat highway with peak economy, but still pull your boat up the launching ramp.