Opinion Needed: Transmission Choice

[chevy_mike]

Hi all,

I have finally got my '65 Panel on the road. I came with a car 4 speed (no granny first) but the shifter is toast. So sloppy it is hard to find the right gear at times. It was a hack job and my plan was to replace the trans anyways. At some point I will sell the panel (as I do with most of my vehicles LOL ) so I have a couple options, as I have two different but complete trans systems I can swap.

What I am looking for is opinions on which would be the better swap from a resale value.

Option 1: Jeep AX15 5 speed manual trans (I did this swap in my last '65 C10). I have all the parts to swap this in and was my original plan. It has a overdrive 5th gear which is great for freeway driving. Downside is less people know how to drive a stick so might limit buyers.

Option 2: Turbo 350 trans. I have the parts to swap this in. Benefit is anyone can drive it but the downside is no overdrive gear. Panel has factory 3:73 gears and tires are 28" tall. This means 65mph is a little over 2900 rpm.

Which do you think is the better option based on ease of resale?

[Warrens69GMC]

resale?

4l60 or 4l80

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

resale?

4l60 or 4l80

I already own these two trans and am not looking to spend more money on another one. These are my two options.

[mattfranklin]

For me personally I like to drive a stick shift, but you get a wider audience with auto.

[mongocanfly]

I agree...resale-auto. Keep- manual....but with your gearing and tire size I'd go with the manual...put it up for sale showing both trans as options...if the new owner wants the panel with a auto you can always stick it in fairly easy...

[Tom]

Auto's always sell easier. And they totally suck lol

[jeffahart]

For me, I would want the bucket seat panel with an auto and access to the rear from between the seats; that trumps the overdrive. And with nice wood. A panel gets no UV, that's the place for the nice wood! I think you could create a market for it, if it drives easy and you can crawl in the back from the drivers seat and dig on some nice wood.

j

[crazy longhorn]

I will teach my grand daughter, to drive that 3 peddle truck longhorn

[Dead Parrot]

Go back with the manual. Advertise it as a theft deterrent device.

[AcampoDave]

you can crawl in the back from the drivers seat and dig on some nice wood.

That's what I told her too!..... Seriously though, I think if it still has the OEM bellhousing crossmember I wouldn't want to cut it out so I'd go manual. If it's already been hacked up then I'd go with the automatic.

[Mbeef61]

You only need to sell your truck to one person. Hopefully one person interested could drive a manual. Go manual

[vince1]

Aw c'mon. Autos are rated for more towing capacity than the manuals.

With 3.73's though I'd also go with the OD manual over an auto without it. Chances are anyone interested in one of these old vehicles knows how to drive a manual.

[chevy_mike]

Well, decision was made Friday night when I took it up to a cruise night and drove the freeway for the first time. 65-70 mph speeds were 3000 - 3200 rpm's. Yep overdrive is needed. Pulled the 4 speed yesterday and started prepping the 5 speed to go in. Hoping to have the swap done within 2 week. Driveshaft shortening and flywheel resurfacing will be the biggest hold ups in time.

I just updated my build thread with pics, link in my signature (Tiki Express thread)