Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

I had always thought all Squarebody SM465 transmissions had the cast iron tops but a some point I pulled a shifter out of a squarebody that must have been an aluminum top as the portion that goes into the transmission is larger diameter than the earlier ones. The shift levers on the OBS trucks that I know came with aluminum tops only had one bend as the dash is shaped completely different. Has anyone else noticed this?

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

Interested in this as well. As far as I know, the iron-tops had the forward shifter position, and were only used in the squarebody's. The aluminum-tops had the rearward shifter position, which was the same as the nv4500 that replaced it, and came in the gmt400's. I've never heard of a forward-shift-position with an aluminum top.

I've personally never seen an aluminum-top, so I can't comment on the specific differences in the shifter.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

The bends on the shifter are identical to the earlier ones. I was really surprised when I saw the larger diameter on the part that goes into the transmission

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

In the square it would have been in the 88-91 1 ton only---OR if ordered special it could have showed up in either the Suburban or Blazer. 1/2 and 3/4 ton were the newer body style. In 1992 they got away from the 4 speed and went to the 5 speed (NV4500)

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

But did the square body style ever get the aluminum top? Or was the aluminum top only used for the gmt400 trucks, like we've always assumed?

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

no the aluminum top was to move the shifter back for the new bodystyle. never came in a square.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

This shifter is larger diameter where is goes into the transmission and is designed different on that part. Have you ever seen this?

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

I have about 6 or 7 sm465's here right now. two have an aluminum top, but the shifter is at the very back of the trans instead of in the middle like a squarebody. I've never seen an aluminum one that isn't that way. got pics of yours?

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

I don't have the transmission but I have full style shifters I can take a picture

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

the 465 top in my '88 crew is cast iron, and the one in my '89 cab/Chassis square is also cast iron. Just FYI

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

When did the crew and c&c switch to the gmt400 style? I thought that happened by 1989.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

Crew Cab Squarebody (as well as K5 Blazer/Suburban) ended in 1991.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

Yep. I actually sell squarebody parts for a living and want to be able to sell this shifter. It is larger diameter at the base.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

Basically all of the shifters I have had before are 24.4mm at the base. The later model is 29.2 mm at the base and this is the only one that I have seen like this.

Re: Did the late Squarebodies come with aluminum top SM465 transmissions?
 

Im not 100% positive on the Cab/ chassis, but I think they went all the way to '91 as a single cab square body just like the crews, burbs and K5's. I know they at least went to '89...haha