5 Speed ina straight axle K10? WOW!

[uglytruk]

I've always wondered if the non-OD SM465 could be updated to a '88up 5 speed. Well, is this it? This guy just bought it for $600. He said it started life as an auto. All I could see that was modified was slightly enlarged crossmembe bolt holes and a little trimming in the 4x4 trim.
Whadda' ya thunk???

OOOPS!, ignore picture # 3, it's a 6.5 diesel starter, sorry...

 

[uglytruk]

Here's 2 more pix of the 5 speed...

Cool, huh?
Ignore picture #3 above, it's a 6.5 diesel starter... Sorry...

 

[tRustyK5]

I just swapped in a 5 speed too (in place of the SM 465)

I went with the NV4500 instead of the Getrag/NV3500 though. His swap looks clean and simple, but I'd be pretty worried about smashing the slave cylinder mount off on that one.

Rene

 

[uglytruk]

I've never studied an '88 up, even thought the mistaken pix was from a '95 6.5 4x4 (700R4). I don't even know if the tranfer case is on the right side. I guess it is... Slave cylinder? I don't knoe if he's an off-roader...

Tell me about the differences in NV 3500, 5500???

 

[tRustyK5]

The '88 up stuff is all drivers side drop, but the bolt pattern for the T-case is the same 6 hole round pattern, so a passenger side drop case can be easily bolted up.

The Getrag/NV3500 were both light duty all aluminum 5 speeds. No granny first gear. They used an integral bellhousing so there is no option but to have the slave on that side of the tranny. IIRC OD was .70:1 just like the 700R-4 and they're a pretty smooth shifting 5 speed...a lot like a car tranny.

The NV4500 is very similar to an SM 465 as it also has the granny low first gear. It's also a cast iron brute like the SM 465 too. Factory bell puits the slave on the wrong side, but Advance Adaptors makes a few different aftermarket bell's for the swap.

The NV4500 has some gearing variations, early years had a 6.34:1 first gear and later years used the 5.61:1 first gear. Mine is a '95 and has the 5.61:1 first gear. OD is either .73:1 or .74:1 depending on who knows what. I really don't know if anyone would be able to notice the difference.

The NV4500 is also supposed to be a smooth shifting tranny, although not as smooth as a car tranny. I'll let you know when I finally get to drive it (I'm not done yet)

For a light duty DD 1/2 ton I'd seriously consider the Getrag/NV3500 though. It's bound to be a bunch cheaper than the NV4500.

Rene

 

[Chevy305]

But will the NV3500 stand up the power from a healthy V8 with 35s and a heavy right foot?

Also can you power shift the NV 5 speeds?

 

[tRustyK5]

The Getrag/NV3500 is a bit weak, although I did have one in an '88 C1500 with the 350. I can't say I was very nice to that tranny, second gear used to be good for about 20 feet of rubber, third another 5-10 feet. Power shifting it was easy. I sold the truck with 70,000 miles on it and only ever had to replace a pin in the shifter assembly.

The NV4500 would take the punishment, but I doubt it'd be as easy to powershift. It will definitely shift smoother/faster than the SM465 though...but has the same horrible gear spacing so it's kinda pointless.

Rene