3 spd on the tree 72 k10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

6772iron · 11-01-2016, 07:03 AM

I just bought 72 k 10 350 3 spd on the tree i want to put my 402 with an auto trans But I had a fella stop to buy a bed and he told me I would have to change cross members and everything he said i should just keep the 3 on tree that is much more rare and worth alot. is all this true and if so are the new cross members easy to pic up. thanks Brad

RANDY COX · 11-01-2016, 04:01 PM

Your engine cross-member will bolt right up to the 402 engine, as for the auto tranny it will have to be bolted to an auto adapter plate that bolts up to the transfer case...which may bolt up to the original tranny cross-member, I'm sure others will chime in and be able to give you more specifics but this is what I know...

El Dorado Jim · 11-01-2016, 10:52 PM

really rare to have a three on the tree 4x4, I have never seen one....may want to keep it original,just my opinion

andrewmp6 · 11-02-2016, 03:30 AM

Most 3 on the tree i ever seen was 6 cylinders and i have seen them on 4x4s before.I would look for a 73-87 turbo 400/np205 from a big block.But if you want a over drive trans then you might have to use some kinda adapter or run a big block 4l08e/np205 which was 91 crew cab only its rare to find.You could use a later 4l80e but the t case 88-98 is driver side drop so you can't use it unless you swap a ford front axle,Or look in to a adapter kit to run whatever passenger side drop or go 2wd trans and a divorced t case.

**special-K** · 11-02-2016, 07:01 AM

The first thing I ever did in a 4wd that came witha 3spd is swap it out. It's a horrible transmission for a 4wd. 1st and reverse are so high they are worthless...and that puts more strain on the weak units. I busted one main shaft before getting to the swap on a '71 Blazer I had. I didn't change any crossmembers that I recall. And that one had the wimpy Dana 20 transfer case. I swapped a TH350/NP205 right in. It was easy, but I did have a complete '72 Blazer donor.

**Yukon Jack** · 11-02-2016, 11:34 AM

My 69 K20 had a 307 with the three on the tree from the factory with 4.56 gears. After fighting the tranny getting stuck when shifting occasionally I finally swapped it out for a 4 speed. Not sure if that was rare, but sure wasn't desirable for me at least.

RANDY COX · 11-02-2016, 06:50 PM

I thought they were pretty common atleast in my area, My Dad's ole 71 GMC 4x4 was a 350 with a 3OTT, the 72 Blazer 4x4 I had was a 307 with 3OTT, And the 70 Burb 4x4 was 250 six with 3 OTT...My ole Fleetline was a 3OTT, I guess I've driven more 3 OTT's than any other ones out there...I finally upgraded to a 4 spd in my truck now...

6772iron · 11-04-2016, 05:42 AM

thanks for the help everyone. I think on it threw the winter. Brad

**72 Super** · 11-18-2016, 10:06 PM

Got any pictures of your truck Brad?

Ray

**special-K** · 11-19-2016, 11:03 PM

Yeah, lets see that thang! You can get transmission/transfer case combos pretty reasonable. If you're still not sure after this winter, drive it and decide.

blue 72 gmc 4x4 · 11-22-2016, 11:11 PM

I love my three on the tree! Still surviving with a 383 in front of it!

11-01-2016, 07:03 AM	#1
6772iron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: q-ville pa Posts: 33	3 spd on the tree 72 k10 I just bought 72 k 10 350 3 spd on the tree i want to put my 402 with an auto trans But I had a fella stop to buy a bed and he told me I would have to change cross members and everything he said i should just keep the 3 on tree that is much more rare and worth alot. is all this true and if so are the new cross members easy to pic up. thanks Brad

11-01-2016, 04:01 PM	#2
RANDY COX Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: RADFORD, VA Posts: 2,651	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 Your engine cross-member will bolt right up to the 402 engine, as for the auto tranny it will have to be bolted to an auto adapter plate that bolts up to the transfer case...which may bolt up to the original tranny cross-member, I'm sure others will chime in and be able to give you more specifics but this is what I know... __________________ 1964 BBC 402 4x4

11-01-2016, 10:52 PM	#3
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 really rare to have a three on the tree 4x4, I have never seen one....may want to keep it original,just my opinion

11-02-2016, 03:30 AM	#4
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 Most 3 on the tree i ever seen was 6 cylinders and i have seen them on 4x4s before.I would look for a 73-87 turbo 400/np205 from a big block.But if you want a over drive trans then you might have to use some kinda adapter or run a big block 4l08e/np205 which was 91 crew cab only its rare to find.You could use a later 4l80e but the t case 88-98 is driver side drop so you can't use it unless you swap a ford front axle,Or look in to a adapter kit to run whatever passenger side drop or go 2wd trans and a divorced t case.

11-02-2016, 07:01 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 The first thing I ever did in a 4wd that came witha 3spd is swap it out. It's a horrible transmission for a 4wd. 1st and reverse are so high they are worthless...and that puts more strain on the weak units. I busted one main shaft before getting to the swap on a '71 Blazer I had. I didn't change any crossmembers that I recall. And that one had the wimpy Dana 20 transfer case. I swapped a TH350/NP205 right in. It was easy, but I did have a complete '72 Blazer donor. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-02-2016, 11:34 AM	#6
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 My 69 K20 had a 307 with the three on the tree from the factory with 4.56 gears. After fighting the tranny getting stuck when shifting occasionally I finally swapped it out for a 4 speed. Not sure if that was rare, but sure wasn't desirable for me at least. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

11-02-2016, 06:50 PM	#7
RANDY COX Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: RADFORD, VA Posts: 2,651	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 I thought they were pretty common atleast in my area, My Dad's ole 71 GMC 4x4 was a 350 with a 3OTT, the 72 Blazer 4x4 I had was a 307 with 3OTT, And the 70 Burb 4x4 was 250 six with 3 OTT...My ole Fleetline was a 3OTT, I guess I've driven more 3 OTT's than any other ones out there...I finally upgraded to a 4 spd in my truck now... __________________ 1964 BBC 402 4x4

11-04-2016, 05:42 AM	#8
6772iron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: q-ville pa Posts: 33	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 thanks for the help everyone. I think on it threw the winter. Brad

11-18-2016, 10:06 PM	#9
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,677	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 Got any pictures of your truck Brad? Ray __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

11-19-2016, 11:03 PM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 Yeah, lets see that thang! You can get transmission/transfer case combos pretty reasonable. If you're still not sure after this winter, drive it and decide. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-22-2016, 11:11 PM	#11
blue 72 gmc 4x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Aladdin Wy Posts: 794	Re: 3 spd on the tree 72 k10 I love my three on the tree! Still surviving with a 383 in front of it! Attached Images __________________ 1955 GMC Hydramatic 1959 Chevy Spartan 100 1969 Chevy C/10 1969 Chevy C/30 Bruiser 1972 GMC (Wrecked) 1972 GMC pickup..old blue Restored Vent Windows https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=766598 1955 GMC hydramatic build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=429417



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