Why are manual trans C10's so rare

[JimJones]

Seriously for every 100 trucks I look at online I might see 5 that have a manual trans and most of them are C/K 20's. To me it just seems like it should be the reverse since 50 years ago automatic transmissions were an option and kind of new technology you would think there would be less of them.

I'm not trying to start a debate on which is better because I know I am in the minority when it comes to wanting a manual transmission I just want to know why it's so damn hard to find one.

Originally I wanted to do a frame off built to my exact specs but upon further investigation that is probably gonna be out of my budget so I have been thinking about buying one that is already fixed up close to what I want and just live with whatever the differences are but one thing I must have is a floor mounted manual transmission.

One thing I'm wondering is how hard would it be to convert a truck that is in good condition like in the examples below

http://www.streetsideclassics.com/ve...-chevrolet-c10


http://www.southernmotors.com/ford_d...asp?CarId=3466


http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sal...p-Truck/135547


http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sal...p-Truck/135204


To a manual trans?

Do companies like Brothers, LMC, and Classic Parts ETC have all the little small parts like clutch pedals, linkages and all the nuts and bolts and stuff like that? Or would it be better to find a truck with a manual tranny to start with?

[Riverdog57]

I had to look for awhile to find my 72 c10. I wanted a 3 on the tree and a long bed Thats what I like . It's what we had at the Gas Station I worked at when I was in High School.

[cericd]

I would imagine that many of the trucks you are finding with automatics started life as standards. From what I've seen on this forum, standard to auto is one of the most frequently performed swaps. It's the same with long to short bed, drum to disc brakes, step side to fleet side, etc.

[68350]

I would guess you could pick up a manual trans conversion off of the parts board right here. And as far as these trucks coming with manual transmissions, a lot of them came that way. But it seems like now days everyone converts them to an automatic.

[12secondnova]

Of the 5 of these 67-72 trucks I've owned 4 of them were manuals with manual steering lol I'm in nor-cal though and we only have flat straight roads here though so that might explain why.

[68350]

Also just out of personal experience with the sm465 and similar transmissions, i would be using a car 4 speed instead of truck 4 speed, espicially in a 2wd half ton long bed

[davepl]

Because the manual trans versions of these trucks that I've owned have been, well, unloved.

I had a four speed on the floor which wasn't bad, but it was really a 3 speed plus a "bull low" for pulling your boat out.

I had a three speed on the tree which worked well, but it was a 3 speed on the tree.

Those trucks often wind up converted (though the 4-on-floor would be nice converted to a better manual). So that's why I think they're harder to find.

Odds are the manual trans trucks lived a harder life. Consider my auto trans truck, which was a camper, which didn't even have rusty shackle bolts. Very different life from the 3-on-the-tree landscaper truck.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I hated mine because it was a non syncro 3 speed.

In 2002 I wanted overdrive and used NP4500's were going for $1,500+. I didn't have that kind of scratch, so I went with a used 700R4. I only spent a few hundred bucks.

Now, many years later I know you can use a T5... wish I had known that then. However, the cabs in these trucks are fricken tiny. I'm only 5'8 and want more leg room. It was a chore to row the gears in my truck (I did it for about 5 years before the auto swap). You have to literally almost lift your leg to use the clutch (and brake pedal). Not fun. I have a 65 Mustang that I converted to a T5 from an auto and the pedals are placed where you just "slide" your feet across. Way more fun to drive.

If someone offered me a free 5 speed swap, I think now a days I would turn it down because the pedal placement just makes it a pain in the ass to drive.

If you look at the history of these trucks... you'll find that many, many, 67's came just about bare ass from the factory. Very few had A/C, autos, trim packages, etc. It was a truck. Some (like mine) were "optioned" with heat. But something interesting started happening around 70/71... compared to 67's, you'll find the vast majority of 71/72's came pretty decently optioned, A/C, autos, trim packages, power disc brakes, power steering. It's MUCH easier to find a heavily optioned 72 C10 than even a decently optioned 67.

Beds were also interesting (ignoring longbeds because very few were sold as stepsides) but when comparing shortbeds, stepsides outsold fleets in 1967 by a few thousand units. It was pretty much dead even in 1968, in 1969 fleetsides outsold steps by a few thousand, and by 1972 it was almost 2:1 fleetside vs. step.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=104816

[Already Gone]

Here ya go, Write the check and enjoy.

https://billings.craigslist.org/cto/5610147828.html

[Trevor]

I think it's a combo of a bunch of things (already mentioned) but it's also because for example, just like of all the Camaros built, a good chunk of the well-optioned ones (RS, SS, Z28) are still running around, while most of the from-point-a-to-point-b plain-jane 6-bangers end up rotting away in a field somewhere.

A 'last pick of the litter' kind of thing.

[Canuckvetter]

I have 2 67's. Still prefer to drive the 3OTT. Maybe because that's what I had in my 68 C-10 in high school. Never thought about them as rare but was glad to find both of my trucks.

[rdhowe2006@yahoo.com]

See below

[rdhowe2006@yahoo.com]

I have a 1970 Chevy C10 LWB Step side with a 250 straight 6 cylinder manual transmission. It came with three on the tree but always had problem of if hanging up between second and third gear. A real pain! I even put a new shift tube kit in it and still never worked so I put it on the floor.

[In The Ten Ring]

I agree with others above: I think a lot of people wanted automatics and most old vehicles have been converted over.

[cleszkie]

I must be in the minority because I swapped out my TH350 for an SM465 in my 4x4 Blazer. But the choice was made based on pure reliability and strength over ease of operation.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

They sure as hell are not rare where I come from! My truck is a manual transmission and the junkyard back home has about 40 of these trucks and only one of them is automatic transmission. I am converting my truck to automatic transmission very soon because it is not practical to drive in a crowded city with manual.

[Alex V.]

This isn't a comprehensive list, but first - I dare say, on average, automatic trucks were bought by individuals more likely to use them gently. Secondly, in recent times I think a segment of the enthusiast base has aged and those trucks that were still clean stick shifts have been bought and, along with other repairs and mods, been converted to less demanding-to-drive automatics. Thirdly, you said it yourself - you're looking for one but recognize the greater budget needed to buy - or make - a stick shift truck, and part of what's generating that scenario is demand for the trucks and parts to convert other trucks, as well as current owners of such trucks keeping them.

[mike16]

back in 09 I paid 1750 for a C10/long fleet with a 3 spd 307. It has 71K miles on it. Since then I have seen several more in better condition for about the same $. I live in southern AZ where they are still plentiful and used as work trucks. No rust issues down here.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by Riverdog57

I had to look for awhile to find my 72 c10. I wanted a 3 on the tree and a long bed Thats what I like . It's what we had at the Gas Station I worked at when I was in High School.

I also like the 3OTT with a LWB Fleetside. I have that but PO's installed a V8 with a 700R4 but they did leave the peddle and the original column in tack. So going back to what the truck had Original isn't to much trouble for me. And yes I am on the hunt for what I need to convert it back.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by 68350

I would guess you could pick up a manual trans conversion off of the parts board right here. And as far as these trucks coming with manual transmissions, a lot of them came that way. But it seems like now days everyone converts them to an automatic.

I have an old saying for an automatic, you mean a **puss o'matic **, LOL I hope this doesn't offend any one here. You know its just like the saying for F O R D found on road dead & fricken old rotten dogs. This is just for fun not to offend any one here, If so I apologize.

[Mr Handy]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

I must be in the minority because I swapped out my TH350 for an SM465 in my 4x4 Blazer. But the choice was made based on pure reliability and strength over ease of operation.

Yup Same for me in my 2wd C10... bombproof. bought all the parts for the conversion here on the forum and found the trans locally.

[Grumpy old man]

First thing to go on any of my trucks is the automatic trans installed by some Yahoo po , I gave away 4 turbo 350 trans last year , it's a truck if it came manual it should stay that way ,automatics are for girls ! .

[JimJones]

Have any of you guys ever seen a K 10 long bed with a manual trans? Because I never have I've seen plenty of K20's this way but never a K10.

[57taskforce]

Couldn't have said it better grumpy!

My dad had a 71 K/10 when I was a kid that had a 350 and 3ott from the factory. It eventually got a 465. All the early k10s had manuals. If I remember right you couldn't get an auto in a 4x4 until somewhere around 69(?)

[Ruscal]

Automatic=Easy Manual=Fun