Do people like the old truck manual transmissions?

[ManNamedJed]

Hate the gap between 3rd and 4th (or 2nd and 3rd depending on how you look at it). When you go up a long hill you are either lugging in top gear, or screaming in the next lowest gear. I was all excited to do a NV4500 until I looked at the ratios and saw the same gap. And if I'm lugging in a 1:1 gear now, there is no way its going to pull an overdrive.

I guess the solution is more horsepower!

[csolomon71]

I just picked up a sm465 last night from a guy. I plan on putting it in my 71 c10. I had one in a 1969 c20 and loved it. I think its going to work out pretty good with my 383 stroker and 3.08 gears.

[cypressbog]

The 4X4 rock crawlers buy these to stuff into Jeeps. I sold mine to a guy putting it in his Toyota FJ, but I only got $100 for it and was glad to see it leave the garage.

[RichardJ]

>>first rule of driving a truck, never be out of gear! <<

I agree 100% .

I would say if there is any time I don't like having a manual is when stopped on a hill in traffic or at a light. Todays drivers in LA or any place in the country pull right up to your bumper before stopping. Any roll-back at all is going to put you in their grill. Very annoying with any vehicle.
Why do those dumb asses pull up so close behind an old truck with a big bumper and why do those same morons pull up behind my manual trans Vette with plastic bumper.

The 3 to 4 gap is a challenge when towing and you're on a grade.
A part of my driveway in back, is steep with a sharp left. Granny gear only.

[special-K]

Most trucks I've had pulled hills just fine in 4th. In any truck that couldn't pull a hill in 4th when hauling, I shift to third and ease up on the throttle some. All transmissions are that way

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by ManNamedJed

Hate the gap between 3rd and 4th (or 2nd and 3rd depending on how you look at it). When you go up a long hill you are either lugging in top gear, or screaming in the next lowest gear. I was all excited to do a NV4500 until I looked at the ratios and saw the same gap. And if I'm lugging in a 1:1 gear now, there is no way its going to pull an overdrive.

I guess the solution is more horsepower!

The solution is easy but not cheap....Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive. You can split those ratio's when pulling that hill.
I have owned 2 GV's units and swear by them. They work very well and are virtually bullet proof when installed properly.

Check out GV's ratio charts in the link below:

https://www.gearvendors.com/cg2wdt.html

[HO455]

I wouldn't have my Advance Design (SM420) any other way. I have driven it Portlands rush hour traffic many, many times and it works fine. It just takes a different state of mind. When traffic is moving I set my pace to match the gear I'm in and not what the traffic is doing. It is amazing how often first gear gets used in stop and go traffic.
I may not get there as quickly as some but I'm not driving a civic either and that frakin ROCKS!
Looking at life through a split windshield changes your perspective.

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by HO455

I wouldn't have my Advance Design (SM420) any other way. I have driven it Portlands rush hour traffic many, many times and it works fine. It just takes a different state of mind. When traffic is moving I set my pace to match the gear I'm in and not what the traffic is doing. It is amazing how often first gear gets used in stop and go traffic.
I may not get there as quickly as some but I'm not driving a civic either and that frakin ROCKS!
Looking at life through a split windshield changes your perspective.

As with most anything... it's a good positive attitude.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

In LA traffic with no load, it's way easier. Thanks for the tip though. Second rule, learn to shift without the clutch!


j

I'm just busting yer balls there a little.. actually a CDL thing..

I'm an ETP examiner for my company and coasting is a ding on driver's score

Employer Testing Program (ETP) Information

also in the CDL handbook..

Commercial Driver Handbook - DMV - State of California

Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear (clutch depressed or gearshift in Neutral) for more than the length of your vehicle.

but I agree, there are a LOT of important factors to make a good truck driver!

[kipps]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

The solution is easy but not cheap....Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive....

Another option, and one I drool over, is the Advance Adapters overdrive. It's stick shifted, and mounts in front of the sm465. The price appears to be comparable to a sm465-to-nv4500 swap. Plus, you get twin sticks! How cool is that?

[special-K]

I factory ordered a '92 K3500 regular cab single rear wheel pickup to my own personalized exacting specs. SLE top of the line trim, all the bells and whistles including bucket seat/console, off road pkg, camper pkg, towing pkg, Anything that was offered except G80. I installed a Detroit Locker once out of warranty. The other $1,000 option I did not order was automatic transmission because I wanted the 5spd manual with o/d to make it all the truck it could be. This was my daily work truck for running my contracting business. I did the Baltimore Beltway traffic getting to jobs and all my materials I had to get by driving in that mess... loaded, often hauling a trailer. It never ever bothered me one bit. In stop and go I stayed down a gear, let the gears slow the truck, braked less than all the automatics. And this was back when it was ok to hold a phone in your hand. In fact, the first years I had it cell phones were called "car phones", remember? For me it was "Truck Phone". I learned to drive on manual transmissions and am fully capable of using both hands and feet to operate a vehicle. I rarely have both hands on the steering wheel, like most everybody in cars and light trucks.

[special-K]

I know LA area traffic must be terrible. John Mayall recorded this song when these trucks were new in '71 when he was living up Laurel Canyon (I believe). That was the year I started driving and I really dug the song (the whole album). But I had no idea where he was coming from with the whole traffic thing

John Mayall - Prisons on the Road (1971) - YouTube

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by special-K

I learned to drive on manual transmissions and am fully capable of using both hands and feet to operate a vehicle. I rarely have both hands on the steering wheel, like most everybody in cars and light trucks.

I never even owned an automatic till way into my mid life. Each manual trans has it own little quirks. My current 465 shifts a bit differently since it got rebuilt. It's a bit tight and needs an ever slight giggle dropping into forth. You can get the truck transmissions to behave if you no how. My son bought a new car two years ago, he got a standard transmission... it gets into your blood!


j

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by special-K

I know LA area traffic must be terrible. John Mayall recorded this song when these trucks were new in '71 when he was living up Laurel Canyon (I believe). That was the year I started driving and I really dug the song (the whole album). But I had no idea where he was coming from with the whole traffic thing

John Mayall - Prisons on the Road (1971) - YouTube

Los Angeles traffic is world famous... err infamous!

j

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

I'm just busting yer balls there a little..

I figured that much. Each man will develop his own driving style with enough practice. I've driven trucks in Los Angeles traffic for too many years. Many many construction trucks, flatbeds, dump trucks none with AC. Dealing with it becomes second nature.

But it now seems like it's not Los Angeles traffic anymore... it's "Southern California traffic". Every artery is plugged from the 210 to the Mexican border.


j

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by special-K

I know LA area traffic must be terrible. John Mayall recorded this song when these trucks were new in '71 when he was living up Laurel Canyon (I believe). That was the year I started driving and I really dug the song (the whole album). But I had no idea where he was coming from with the whole traffic thing

John Mayall - Prisons on the Road (1971) - YouTube

Another Mayall fan!

Anyway, one hasn't lived until they get on the 405 after a heavy rain, and it takes 4 hours to go 32 miles.

[Aberdare]

I prefer a Manual Transmission. There is so much less to go wrong, when you KNOW how to properly use a clutch and select the right gear(s) for traffic conditions.

[Mts67C10K20]

I am a personal fan of the 700r4
But the other option if you want to stay with a stick is th NP a833
It's a 4 spd overdrive manual with the same ratio's as the 700r4
I got mine out of an 80s pickup
Good luck however you go

[clay68c10]

I have an NV4500 in my 93 and I drive it most days. The hydro clutch makes it great, a Z-bar type linkage would probably make it not so fun.

[LuckyScott]

Almost done with the swap. The traffic here is just too bad and being an old guy I like the auto trans. Hopefully, it will work out.If anybody needs the old trans let me know.
Hope to be driving it friday.

[69 C10 LWB]

When I was in school(2000s) my work truck was a retired fire truck. It was a 71K20 with a 465. My personal driver was a 64 C20 with a 420. I had a 73 GMC with a th350 that I swapped in a 465 within a month of getting the truck. Now I have a 65 C30 with a 420 that I would never swap. I may add a gear vendors if I ever get the money. I wouldn’t trade a truck trans for any auto,EVER. I love the way they drive, they’re easy to shift without the clutch and they’re bulletproof.

[LockDoc]

-
I have posted this before and it is an easy and cheap swap if you already have a factory 4 speed. I thought this would be a good thread to post the link in.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

[HO455]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I have posted this before and it is an easy and cheap swap if you already have a factory 4 speed. I thought this would be a good thread to post the link in.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

Its a great thread Doc!

[davischevy]

Leon, that is some great info and what this board is all about.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by HO455

Its a great thread Doc!

Originally Posted by davischevy

Leon, that is some great info and what this board is all about.

Thanks guys.

LockDoc