The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Transmission ?

I have a bone stock 1953 Chevy 3600 with a granny geared 4 speed. I am curious is there a more modern 5 speed I could install in my tuck that would match up with the 216?
And also what rearend would you guys suggest for a better ability to cruise the highway?

The T-5 from an S-10 pickup is the trans. of the day. Although it is not for heavy duty use it should stand up behind anything a 216 will do. The 4:55 rear end should work good with a .073 o-drive & tall tires.

Thanks, any particular year S-10? I have 215/85/16 on it so hopefully I will get a little bit better ride.

You'll want to look for the pre '92 S10 T-5s. Starting in 89/90 they went to electric speedometer. I just bought a 93 T5 and found out the hard way, it has a ford bolt pattern.

As far as rearend goes, you could try to find the coveted 4.11 gears out of 68-72 GM 3/4 ton trucks with automatic. Or you could swap the rearend out all together. I have a 14 bolt 63" wide rearend waiting to go under my 54. Some guys have had good luck with the Dana 60's too.

http://www.flatheadv8.org/ernie/ernie-t5.htm

1982-86, some say 87 had speedo cable setup.

Ok so I am on the hunt for a transmission from a 82-86 S-10.

And 4.11 rear end gears out of a 68-72 3/4 ton with an Automatic.

This is NOT a bolt in swap so do a search on T5 conversions to see what all is involved. The T5 came with different shifter locations so if your keeping your bench seat you'll need one with a forward location. The T5 OD ratios ranged from around 0.82 to 0.67 IIRC so with 4.56 gears the Mustang 0.67 one would give a final drive of 3.05 in OD. Maybe too shallow for hills or bucking a head wind.

The mid 80's T-5 from a S-10 is the best one. There is a tag on one of the bolts to the rear housing. It has a number in the lower left corner like 1353-xxx. Sometimes this number is on a sticker on top of the trans. 1352-145 is the best one. It has the most desire able ratios. When you find the number you can use a chart on a website called British v-8. to find the ratios & the original application. All the s-10 T-5s had the shifter in the foreward position so they will fit OK with bench seat.