The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Tired of the 3 speed on my 68 Chevy what can I do?

My truck is a 68 Chevy C/10 shortbed stepside.

I have a 3 speed on the column transmission hooked up to a 78 Chevy inline 6 with electronic distributer. I had replaced it with that engine when I cracked the head on the old one. Just putting that in there in case it may help with mating up a different transmission.

I cant deal with the low speeds on the truck anymore. At 60 MPH the transmission complains. I want to be able to do 70-75MPH.I think I want a modern automatic. I wouldn't mind a 5 speed manual if it has OD, but what do I have to do?

Does the whole rear axle have to be switched if I put in a 700R4? Or can the rear end just be changed internally?

What has to happen if I go with a 5 speed? Does a hydraulic clutch have to be put in?

Any driveshaft concerns on length or crossmember modifications required on this year of truck?

you don't have to do anything to the rear end to change the trans, and if you want better highway speeds at lower RPM, the choice is what OD - if you could find a factory 3spd OD [68 up] it'd be a bolt in swap, no changes required .... a 5 speed would be next easiest, no clutch change required, but you'd prolly need to lengthen or shorten the drive shaft, and maybe change the yoke as well as rig a floor shift .... a 700R4 would be fine, likely still require the driveshaft adjustment, and you'd need to rig a shifter that has the gear indicator, a column auto shift from 67-72 could be adapted

Bill

Thanks Bill.. Here is an article that i was reading tonight. Makes it sound very simple. Does anyone have experience with the 2004R? Any thoughts on this article?

Go with the 700R4 if you're going to go automatic. They're much more common, far stronger in stock form, cheaper to get, and were used in trucks up to 3/4 ton. The 200 is pretty much stricly a economy to midsize car tranmission, never used in trucks other than 4 cylinder S10.

The best bet would be the optional 3 speed OD of the period. As Bill stated, bolt it up and go. I have the earlier version in the burb and love it.

...the 700R4 has been good to me. I punish the one in my 37 pickup fairly often. (smoking the tires) I have used that in other vehicles and have the "later version" in my 2000 Silverado with 249K on the odometer.
I am also planning the 700R4 for my panel. No tire spinning here but the low first gear in the R4 will get the panel going with ease and I'll have OD. (thanks to red58 for helping me ID the year of it)

With the automatic you have to remove the crossmember. A 5 speed is much easier & I nthink more fun to drive.

My tranny of choice would be the S-10 T5 five speed. Plentiful, reasonably priced, good parts availability. They are a floor shifter type and your drive line will HAVE to be shortened. There is so much info out there on doing the swap that I can't mention it here. We do have a great article in "Tech Tips," though.

Just my two cents!

Les

All of you have been a great help already...Thanks

X2

I have a 67 with factory Borg warner OD. I love it......but, to add that tranny (should you find one) is not simple. You must buy a wiring harness and relay to make it work. Plus a kick down bracket and switch to mount on your carb base. Last you must buy an OD cable that mounts under the dash where you can take it in and out of service. If you go this route you must place the gear shifter in reverse if you want the truck to be sitting there when you go back to it. With help from this web site I found a supplier for the cable as I needed one for my recent resoration.
Was not able to locate a kick down switch so I fixed the one I had.

In regards to your rear end. I assume it is a 4:11. You can go to a 3:55 etc, but you may run into issues with the taller ring gear fitting into the axle housing. Plus that 6 knocker will be very weak taking off from a stand still with a taller gear.

Lastly, if you go with a 700R4 you must fabricate a support bracket for the tail housing. That long tranny housing may push you for space due to the drive shaft bearing hanger. I understand the 200R4 comments. I do know that tranny is used in drag cars so it can be built to be strong. Good luck

The Borg-Warner OD is simple to wire up. You can use a double pole/double throw switch mounted under the dash in lieu of the kickdown switch. You can use a Bosch type relay.

See this OD wiring diagram

I opted for an even simpler wiring. I didn't put in any provision for kickdown. I just down shift to 2nd when needed.

regards,
Leon

On order and arriving soon:

700R4 Transmission
Trans cooler
Converter
Low Kar Shifter
Crossmember Kit
Starter
Flex Plate
Kickdown Cable
Transmission Lines
K & N Air filter (While I'm at it :D)
Yoke
Drive shaft to be shortened
U- joints

I will post pics as we go.

Transmission is built but not delivered (snow days)and the crossmember kit as well as the shifter ship Friday, however I do have it in the shop and am farming out the hard work. They have been very nice about letting me be involved so I will show you what is done so far.



I originally thought that I should get another collar for the steering wheel to eliminate the look of the old shifter slot, but after thinking on it we painted the old collar black, and added the converter switch to where the slot was. The idea is that the switch will be camouflaged and when you look in the truck you will see the old style gear shift installed in the floor, but wont notice the switch. this will help it retain its old and original charm...

In the intensive care ward....


The people at the shop and anyone who goes in that shop are amazed at the shape the truck is in- especially rust free. One guy said its worth ten grand as it sits-not sure if that was an offer or not, but many people want to buy it...they tell me that very few of these trucks are left...dunno on that one, but that truck is very appealing to many...Clutch will come out today/tonight.

Collar one

Side view of collar

Ariel view

Together

Cab area...