The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Overdrive Solutions?

Trying to decide on what would be the easiest and cheapest way to get an overdrive on my '72 C-10. The truck is presently a 3-Speed and an original 3-Speed overdrive set-up will probably be best, but they are hard to find and a little expensive.

Just wondering if there would be any worth while alternatives out there.

I'm open to any suggestions.

Bill

Bill being a C-10 I would look at the NV4500 if you plan on towing or a T-5 if you would like a more car like driver or even an NV3500 that is what is in late modal Chevy 1/2 tons.
You may get a better response in the general truck talk with you C-10

Appreciate the info, I'll check those out.

I checked up on this one: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/Basic-Tremec-Kit.aspx

I has a nice low first. Price is too high tho.


I posted over here to get some opinions on bigger truck aux. transmissions as I wouldn't mine 2 sticks. I'd just hate to give up my bench seat.

Bill

Cheapest and easiest would most likely be an 89mm 4 speed overdrive. It's an aluminum bodied New Process transmission that Chevy used in some eighties 2 wheel drive trucks. Also referred to as an RPO MY6. Dodge used versions of this transmission extensively (A833 in cars and in light duty trucks as well. Strength-wise, it's not the strongest, but its probably better than a t5. The ratios are pretty wide with a fairly low 1st gear, so it'll drive more like a truck than a car.

I've been told that there are two versions of the 89mm, one which has the standard Chevy bell housing bolt pattern and another which takes a special pattern bell housing to mate with the Dodge pattern. You'd want the first one to retain any clutch linkage, obviously. Your original bell housing would likely require machining to enlarge the hole for the front bearing retainer.

I'll second that.

You don't really want an auxiliary transmission in just a 1/2 ton. lots of fabrication to install, and even for a Spicer 5831 you would be adding over 200lb to the truck.

Ditch the three speed, and swap in a 5 with overdrive.

Grigg

I wasn't familiar with the NV4500 so I went to Novak's site and did some reading. Although those folks are primarily focused on the Jeep market, their general appraisal of the NV4500 was not very good.

They cited very high initial cost and expensive repairs to problematic innards along with ratios that weren't real "big truck friendly".

I have no first hand experience with this transmission, but the 5th gear OD sounded pretty neat...Novak says this is one of the problem areas of the NV4500 too!

Stuart

Opinions are like well you know everybody has one. Check with Advance Adapters and see how they feel the jeep crowd loves them and they have been used in Chevy and Dodge 3/4 and 1 tons from the early to late nineties.

HMMM didn't you fellas try and get to put this "problem matic" trans in my K-3000 a few month's back ? when i was looking to keep my Granny first and gain an Over drive ?

Mike :mad:

here is one for sale http://pub36.bravenet.com/forum/3079965801/fetch/777631/