The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk original 4-speed question...

Both my trucks have the original 4-speed trannys. Question is, are the trannys geared the same in the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton? As the 3/4 ton ('58) has the tighter/better tranny I am thinking on swapping it into the 1/2 ton ('59).

Carl

yes, they'll have the same ratios, but if you don't really need that granny low, you could leave the "working" truck alone and find a 3spd for the light truck with about the same effort as pulling both!

Bill

Bill....I like the 4-speed. Dont need the granny gear though in the 1/2 ton, would gladly trade it for OD. What about a T5? Would that be a better choice?

Carl

could work, but I'm more into same-era changes, wouldn't use a T5 - an original 55-70ish 3spd OD would be trick - I've got a pair of the early ones I plan on using

OTOH because you've got floor shift now, you might look into the NewProcess A833, an OD 4spd that was used on trucks [70s-80s?], heavier duty and good ratios - search it here, been discussed a few times

Bill

1/2-ton with a six and a T-5 is a workable and popular swap. Be sure to search and read through the issues people have needed to deal with in making the swap before starting.

Aside from being a different era the shifter isn't really in the right spot so that might cause some look and ergonomic issues.

My '55 1st 1/2-ton (Suburban) has an SM420 and I just drive it like a 3-speed and get along fine that way. But I've changed the rear to one with 3.08 gears so highway speed isn't a problem. I sometimes think it would be more pleasant to drive with a car type 4-speed like a Saginaw or perhaps a T-5.

I also have a 4-speed car with OD that I drive nearly every day and sometimes think the control a 5- or 6-speed offers would be more fun. Its not that the OD is bad as much as it often wants to shift at times when I would rather it didn't. I may someday change it.

What about the rear end gear swap kit from Patrick's? Would that do the trick for him?

He wouldn't have to swap any trannies, just change out the stuff in the rear axle and his first gear becomes a real first gear and his 4th becomes a an OD. Of course, the 1st gear still won't be synchro...

Just throwing out ideas.

r,
John

It sounds to me like his original question was whether the transmissions could be swapped,because the one in the truck he didn't drive often was better than his driver. The answer to that Question is "Yes-it'll work fine."
Now,my question is Is it possible/desirable to use a later GM full sized 5 speed overdrive in a Stovebolt? I'm guessing there's some wierd thing about 'em that makes 'em un-swapable,because I never hear 'em mentioned around here.
Speed

Now,my question is Is it possible/desirable to use a later GM full sized 5 speed overdrive in a Stovebolt? I'm guessing there's some wierd thing about 'em that makes 'em un-swapable,because I never hear 'em mentioned around here.


They can be used if it has a v-8. They will not fit the old stovebolt 6,s.

You can get an adapter from advance adapters to stick a dodge nv4500 where your SM420 was behind a straight 6.