CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
77 manual to automatic
- Thread starter Z8987
- Start date
No, I was thinking about using the shifter from the manual transmission and mounting it through the floor. I'm thinking that might be easier, but I have no idea. I've seen this done on an older truck, but I don't recall how they did it.
Being a smart ass, converting a manual to an auto is blasphemous around here. But having driven a stock dump truck 465 I get the need for overdrive and not wanting to punch the dash when you go for third gear.
In all seriousness it’s your truck to do whatever you want. The stock 465 shifter would require some serious fab work to work with an auto. Like bent said get a Lokar auto floor shifter and save a ton of time trying to fabricate stuff to make it work.
In all seriousness it’s your truck to do whatever you want. The stock 465 shifter would require some serious fab work to work with an auto. Like bent said get a Lokar auto floor shifter and save a ton of time trying to fabricate stuff to make it work.
I talked to a guy who installed one of the Lokar shifters. Be prepared to spend some time getting it right, is my opinion. They have a mount to put it onto the top of the transmission like a saddle.
You have options as far as which transmission. A TH350 was a factory option, but no overdrive, which doesn't actually make a difference in many trucks because they often don't get driven on the highway much. You have to decide what your plans are for the truck.
For an overdrive transmission, the 700R4 is similar in tail housing bolt pattern to a TH350, but about 2.5" longer. There are pros and cons to the 700R4.
Neither of these will work with your current transfer case without a different adapter and input shaft. (You most likely have an NP205 behind your manual transmission.)
You have options as far as which transmission. A TH350 was a factory option, but no overdrive, which doesn't actually make a difference in many trucks because they often don't get driven on the highway much. You have to decide what your plans are for the truck.
For an overdrive transmission, the 700R4 is similar in tail housing bolt pattern to a TH350, but about 2.5" longer. There are pros and cons to the 700R4.
Neither of these will work with your current transfer case without a different adapter and input shaft. (You most likely have an NP205 behind your manual transmission.)
You know, I think the best thing to do on the stock trucks using a mechanical clutch, is to lose the hood spring under the dashboard. There’s no reason for it that a $.15 spring on the frame works to make the clutch fork return where it’s supposed to.
Next step obviously is a hydraulic clutch with an overdrive
And yes, man pedal
Last edited:
One more vote for keeping the manual. Dont be a pussy!
Jk… but really, why?
The cost involved to get an actual “Good” auto is not worth the effort.
IMO
Jk… but really, why?
The cost involved to get an actual “Good” auto is not worth the effort.
IMO
Short answer is no.
Nv 4500 is good. Many guys here can give you a parts list.
Don’t be discouraged, take your time read more and ask as many questions as you like.
Just don’t rush into a decision that will take your ride from driving to a money pit of a rig sitting in your yard.
you would need to use a LOKAR shifter mounted to the trans and set it to come up in the floor in the 4 speed hole . i did it 20+ years ago and my driving style on the th400 made people think i was so smooth on the clutch until i pointed out the 2 pedal setup under the dash .
Question for you - what is the main driving force to want to make this change on your truck?
Ya initially wanted to go with an automatic trans but did not specify one with O/D and now you are inquiring about a manual 5-spd.
Are you after the ease of an automatic or the benefit of an overdrive gear regardless of what type of transmission?
And for going forward with advice it might be best if you actually told us what you have - all we know at this point is that it’s a 77 model.
Is it a K5, K10, K20 or a K30 ?
Mostly it may not make a difference but it’s just a good practice to know what you are dealing with at the start - help us help you.
And welcome to CK5 !
Ya initially wanted to go with an automatic trans but did not specify one with O/D and now you are inquiring about a manual 5-spd.
Are you after the ease of an automatic or the benefit of an overdrive gear regardless of what type of transmission?
And for going forward with advice it might be best if you actually told us what you have - all we know at this point is that it’s a 77 model.
Is it a K5, K10, K20 or a K30 ?
Mostly it may not make a difference but it’s just a good practice to know what you are dealing with at the start - help us help you.
And welcome to CK5 !
Absolutely! More details will help us spend your money!
My ‘75 had a factory 465 and I loved it. Sucked on the highway but the deep first gear was definitely money off road. It made up for a lot of inadequacies that the wheezy carbed 350 had. But the shifter does have the quality and shift feel of a broom handle in a 5 gallon bucket. My ‘91 started out as an auto with a 700r4. Od was nice for sure but the lack of deeper gearing sucked off road. Sure it was easier to drive but it sucked the fun out of the equation. Plus driving on the highway had it living in 2nd or 3rd on the slightest grade or headwind. Again sucking the fun out of the experience. Granted by then my K5 was well overweight and the aero of a brick wall with the camper and a 5.3 struggling to keep the whole mess at speed.
The ‘91 got a nv4500 with a 8.1. The fun is back in driving it. I got all the gearing down low with a hybrid custom built 4500. (Early low gear in a later case with the bolt on better shifter). I don’t need any deeper gears at the axles or doubler for the type of wheeling I like. Just stuffing it in low/low gets the truck creeping along at a walking pace without touching the throttle. On the highway I dictate the shift points. The 8.1 has the torque to keep the load rolling anyway but I don’t have to downshift much at all.
Plus the shifter feel while not as tight as say a more modern TREMEC in a sports car it is light years better than the best 465 brand new off the showroom floor. Really fun to drive.
So knowing the action you intend to have with the truck will help guide us to give suggestions. Cruising? Light wheeling? Both? Something else?
The ‘91 got a nv4500 with a 8.1. The fun is back in driving it. I got all the gearing down low with a hybrid custom built 4500. (Early low gear in a later case with the bolt on better shifter). I don’t need any deeper gears at the axles or doubler for the type of wheeling I like. Just stuffing it in low/low gets the truck creeping along at a walking pace without touching the throttle. On the highway I dictate the shift points. The 8.1 has the torque to keep the load rolling anyway but I don’t have to downshift much at all.
Plus the shifter feel while not as tight as say a more modern TREMEC in a sports car it is light years better than the best 465 brand new off the showroom floor. Really fun to drive.
So knowing the action you intend to have with the truck will help guide us to give suggestions. Cruising? Light wheeling? Both? Something else?
did you ever have the 8.1 with an auto or the 5.3 with the NV4500?
Neither. He hit the “unsuck” button and ditched the 5.3/700
Mateas
Registered Member
Come to Ohio and I'll trade you your 4 speed for my TH350 I had one of those Lokar long neck shifters on my 69 C10 with a TH350, install was a breeze and (at least on mine) there was no real "set up" on it, bolt on and go, I loved it and had the look of a manual (that was until I installed a Tremec 5 speed in it)..
I had one of those Lokar long neck shifters on my 69 C10 with a TH350, install was a breeze and (at least on mine) there was no real "set up" on it, bolt on and go, I loved it and had the look of a manual (that was until I installed a Tremec 5 speed in it)..Absolutely! More details will help us spend your money!
1977 Colonial Yellow
This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1977 Colonial Yellow. Please add to the discussion here.
ck5.com
I've got a new engine that I'll put in sometime in December, possibly January. I'll use this as a daily driver. I like the idea of keeping it original. I don't want to paint it because the paint is original, at least I think most of it is.
I'll also use to to tow a boat. A 17' boat. Not a big deal. It will also take quite a few 5.5 hour trips. I travel from my home to a fishing location that is 5.5 hours away. The boat won't be towed that distance since it has a home where I fish. At most the boat will be towed 3-5 miles at a time. The 5.5 hour trips is what I'm thinking about the most. Keeping a manual has always been the plan, but I started over thinking the issue. An overdrive, 5th gear would be real nice. I have a friend that is an excellent mechanic that will help wtth the engine and transmission replacement. I think I'll have the transferase rebuilt just to know the condition of the vehicle.
I recently replace all the bearings and seals in the front end including replacing the hubs with Warn hubs. I put new carpet in it and insulated the floor side panels and doors.
Mark nailed it. I knew better than marry an 8.1 with a 700 of unknown mileage. Granted the 700 survived much abuse at the hands of a 5.3 and my size 15 shoe going through the floorboard on long grades. It would have not survived the 8.1. The plan was to give it the sex change operation with the big block swap.
1977 Colonial Yellow
This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1977 Colonial Yellow. Please add to the discussion here.
I've got a new engine that I'll put in sometime in December, possibly January. I'll use this as a daily driver. I like the idea of keeping it original. I don't want to paint it because the paint is original, at least I think most of it is.
I'll also use to to tow a boat. A 17' boat. Not a big deal. It will also take quite a few 5.5 hour trips. I travel from my home to a fishing location that is 5.5 hours away. The boat won't be towed that distance since it has a home where I fish. At most the boat will be towed 3-5 miles at a time. The 5.5 hour trips is what I'm thinking about the most. Keeping a manual has always been the plan, but I started over thinking the issue. An overdrive, 5th gear would be real nice. I have a friend that is an excellent mechanic that will help wtth the engine and transmission replacement. I think I'll have the transferase rebuilt just to know the condition of the vehicle.
I recently replace all the bearings and seals in the front end including replacing the hubs with Warn hubs. I put new carpet in it and insulated the floor side panels and doors.
welp... ive got a slightly newer version of your blazer. some other things to consider while you dream over ultimate configurations:
-your current transfer case may not be compatible with an auto trans (depending on what you want to do)
-your axles may not be geared correctly for a transmission with overdrive.
